Guns

Guns

The presence of guns started as soon as we crossed the border into Mexico. It soon became a common sight to see the Border Patrol in their fancy Ford trucks, large machine guns hanging off their chest, the local Municipal Police with their guns on their hip, the Policia or "Federales" in their modified Trucks usually riding 3 or 4 to a fleet, 5 or 6 soldiers standing in the back fully geared up with their fingers always on the trigger of their AR15s or similar. As we rode further and further from the Mexican border, naturally the Border Patrol trucks became few and far between but the "Federales" were ever present. At first they were intimidating, but as the days of riding through Mexico passed I realized it was actually nice to have them on the roads we were riding, keeping an eye out and clearing the way. Most of the road side check points we were just waved right through and I got the sense that since we were "Adventure Riders" in Mexico to see the country, we were not really a threat at all. Sometimes we would even get a friendly wave back, as if they were impressed with our large motos fully geared up.

Crossing the border into Guatemala there were even more guns. Every security guard at all the gas stations,  small markets and fast food restaurants had a large shot gun strapped to his chest. Most of the time they are standing at the door and will open it for you as you walk in, as if a regular door man in New York City, the only difference being the large shot gun that no doubt was loaded at all times. It becomes normal though and soon the presence of guns blends into the hustle and bustle of the streets. It's the way of life in Central America. El Salvador has proved to be the same. We have been staying at a friends apartment in San Salvador for the last week and our daily walks include passing the gate patrol man, shot gun on hand, the Policia post, machine guns over their shoulders, and several security guards manning their post, usually looking bored out of their minds with their arms resting on their shot guns. I'm sure as we continue south we will see even more guns, hopefully always in the correct hands.

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