18. SOUTHWARD HO! An account of the College on Wheels Trip to Mexico last summer By Donna Richards Six O'clock on a July morning, the hi of us who were to make the jaunt to Mexico with Weber's "College on Wheels" were excitedly taking care of last-minute details, for the time of departure was close at hand. Even the travel-wise veterans among us were suffering from zero-hour jitters, and it was a relief to all, when we were finally settled in the moving bus. Mo one was certain as to just who his neighbors were at first, but we did not take long to become acquainted as we rode along singing at the top of our voices. We were a tired, but still enthuiastic group of travelers when we camped the first night in Bryce Canyon. The magnificent beauty of Bryce Canyon, the first stop, was only a beginning. Even before we had left the United States we had seen Zion Canyon, Marble Canyon, Grand Canyon, White Sands, Sunset Crater, Meteor Crater, and Carlsbad Caverns, and then we were in Laredo, Texas, and just across the border was Mexico. By this time we had been traveling for two weeks. It was a Sunday afternoon when we arrived at Monterrey, Mexico. After we had found a camp and received instructions on how we should act in a foreign country, a large group of us went into town. To our surprise, the town was much like a town of our own. While walking down the street, we did notice, however, the sharp contrast between modern Mexico and old Mexico. For example, we saw a modern gym complete with tile floors, incandescent lights and brick walls next to an old-fashioned saloon with swinging dorrs reminiscent of a western movie. We found the downtown section noisy and full of life, especially since this was Sunday. The small stands along the streets and on the corners gave a carnival atmosphere to the town. In the excitement of new surroundings, one couple was 19. lost from our group. The rest of the company didn't knew a word of Spanish so we were rather worried because of our preconceived ideas of Mexican hostility; however, when we returned to camp we found the lost ones had found their way back safely. One bright morning we watched two of the instructors buy groceries. Mr. Hancock did all of the talking in Spanish and English, while Mr. Buss told him what to buy. It took them approximately two hours to get the provisions for one day because they argued over the price of everything in accordance with the Mexican custom. Practically all the products on the shelves of the stores were of United States origin but were more expensive than they are at home. It seemed to us that a lot of money was expended, for food. Sometimes the bill came to to hundred pesos. This actually amounted to only forty dollars since the exchange rate was $4.80 in Mexican money for $1.00 in our money. All through Mexico, as soon as the bus stopped even for a few minutes, little children selling everything immaginable appear from nowhere. They would offer us such things food of all types, knives, wicker dolls, and trinkets. These Children, although usually very young, always had the nicest of manners. A memorable incident took place one night when we did not reach the town where we were supposed to stay. Evening found us in the mountains, and as we were getting supper it started to rain. All of our clothes were soaked clear through, as were the tents and bedding. Supper was served in the bus and the dishes were left until morning. We all rolled out early the next morning because of the dampness, and we lost no time in spreading our sleeping bags, clothes, and blankets all over the bushes and on the highway. While our things were drying out we got one our few dips in water of an ice-cold mountain stream. We must have been quite a sight to the Mexican boys and men who were cutting bamboo poles nearby and who were quite interested in our queer doings that morning. Also interested were Mexican police who, much to our surprise; offered to help us.