My bicycle discoveries in Mexico
I was in Mexico last week and got reminded of something.
A few years ago I visited a friend who lives in Mexico City. Naturally I asked him if he could direct me to the bike-shop district. (In Mexico City, vendors of similar products congregate, so there is for example, a wedding-dress district, a plumbing fixtures district, a carburetor district, and so on.)
He showed me on a map and then advised me that although it was not a particularly rough part of town, I should watch myself and not go at night. And he had this weird smile on his face. At the end of the conversation he told me he would be very interested to hear my opinion of the area when I returned. I knew he was playing some kind of joke on me but I could not figure out what it was.
Well, when I got there, it was obvious what it was. It turns out that the bicycle district and the prostitution district more or less exactly overlap in Mexico City. In fact, they overlap to such a degree that you literally find yourself asking prostitutes to move aside so you can look at a, ahem, bike part, inside a bike shop! The prostitutes actually stand in the bike shops. But they are very cordial and gracious, and take no offense if you are there for a derailleur. They must have some kind of deal going on with the shops. I found it quite interesting.
Anyway, last week I was in Hermosillo, Sonora, again trying to find a bike shop. I was a little turned around but at last got headed in the right way and suddenly encountered a prostitute, and then another, and another . . . and then the bike shop! Complete with two busty young women in tight-fitting clothes waving at traffic.
What is it about Mexican bike shops and prostitutes?
–Erik
July 23rd, 2008 at 3:46 pm
Sounds like the perfect place to test out a recumbent
July 26th, 2008 at 8:28 pm
“Gives a new meaning to bicycle porn”. Also–(sorry) ” One stop shopping”. Or (I can’t help it)” bicycle repairs and tune ups, while -U- wait”. —Dean