[FlamesAddiction]

When I was young and dumb, I backpacked around Oaxaca, then spent some relaxation time in a small coastal town called La Crucecita. I was pretty ignorant at the time, but looking back at some of the things I noticed, it was probably more dangerous than I realized at the time. One time in particular, I was on a bus that came upon a road block. An armed man without insignias came onto the bus and walked down the isle checking each seat, then after some time they let us through. The bus driver didn't seem like he was expecting it and everybody on the bus seemed nervous. I don't know for sure if it was a cartel thing or what, but I suspect it was that or some random local paramilitary thing. Someone suggested they were looking for people smuggling wildlife, but these guys looked pretty rough so I don't know if I buy it.

I did meet a really nice American expat when I got to the coast . He saw me walking by myself and told me that it wasn't wise then offered to drive me around. It was really kind and I took him up on it a couple of times.