Chosing a parking place!

Finding a place to camp: is easy in Mexico. I pick a street that is close to a major intersection but not close enough to hear. Then I make sure parking is allowed on that street – the absence of signs & unpainted curbs is very good!

I look for a residential neighborhood, where there are people close by but not too close. Or a mixed use neighborhood where the businesses and houses are separated by a big parking lot or empty space.

I never park directly in front of someone’s house but I try to park next to a tall fence marking the end of the property, or where they might be an apartment building or plenty of neighbors so I could be visiting any of them.

I listen for dogs. I look for street lights. I don’t want dogs barking or lights shining in my eyes. I make sure the businesses are closed and not about to open in the middle of the night. And I find parking on a street that has lots of available parking but some cars already parked.

Gila Bend was perfect – the streets just stretched 3 or 4 blocks off the main road and although the pavement was just big enough for 2 lanes, the shoulder was smoothly graveled and very wide. I could see the main road but couldn’t hear a thing.