Best novel of 2007 (and I haven’t even finished it).

Bolano actually published The Savage Detectives in 1998, but the English translation just came out last year. In the tradition of vivid, mystical Latin American novelists like Allende and Marquez, Bolano captures the zeitgeist of ‘60s and ‘70s Mexico City, where everyone is a poet and no one knows where they’ll sleep tonight (or with whom). While I haven’t finished the novel, Part One was an enjoyable bildungsroman and Part Two has shifted to a multi-voiced mystery about ulterior motives that isn’t always easy to follow, but is always satisfying. Bolano died young, but left a decent body of work that I’m looking forward to reading.

The end times never looked so good...

Psychedelic political treatise! Who's with me?

Mexico vs. 24th and Mission - A Comparative Study

*Note: Impressions of Mexico based on a week’s stay in San Miguel de Allende, which isn’t exactly representative of all of Mexico, but that’s where I went. Impressions of 24th and Mission based on years of up close and personal experience.

Bus transportation: advantage – Mexico.
Except for the videos of The X Files in Spanish blasting at 50 or 60 decibels on our 3 hour trip from Mexico City.

Street cleanliness: advantage – Mexico .
It turns out that throwing trash in the street is not a Mexican national pastime; it must be an American thing.

Mexican food: advantage – Mexico.
Mountains of starchy rice and refried beans in your burrito? That’s a Mission thing. My greatest discovery in Mexico? Tortas and more tortas. They know their sandwiches.

Restaurant service: advantage: 24th and Mission.
Super friendly in Mexico, but their policy is to promise you anything and then promptly forget to follow through.

Homeless/impoverished street people: advantage – Mexico
While the stream of consciousness rantings of your 24th and Mission homeless person might be colorful, the dignified desperation of a wizened abuelita gets the nod here. At least the Mexican homeless would take advantage of any opportunity not to be homeless, and you get a sense that they aren’t merely a product of a whole bunch of bad choices.

Sidewalk vending: advantage – Mexico
Fresh cucumber and watermelon sprinkled in chili powder? Corn on the cob? Hand-made yarn holiday ornaments? Dangerous fireworks? Much better than cheap plastic cell-phone cases and slightly suspicious popsicle vendors grouped in odd bunches of twos and threes. You could follow a pretty healthy diet in Mexico just snacking on the street.

Observance of traffic regulations: advantage – 24th and Mission.
This was a close call. It seems to me that traffic safety is inversely proportional to fervency of religious belief. I guess that would make Taliban suicide bombers among the worst drivers in the world. They should do a study on this.

Internet access: advantage – 24th and Mission
This was not a close call, but our friend Dave is narrowing the gap with his internet provider business in San Miguel. The cable TV was fine in our hotel though. I had no idea I would be able to watch college bowl games on our vacation. Neither did my wife…


Pharmacies: advantage – Mexico
While I did not visit a pharmacy in San Miguel, my friends assured me that expatriate Americans are like kids in a candy store there, what with no scrips required for a multitude of powerful pain relievers, muscle relaxants, and stimulants. Looking to retire in a state of permanent glassy-eyed bliss? Go to Mexico.