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.