The last place we visited in Mexico City before our departure Northward was a market somewhere in the middle of the city. I refer to it as "the market;" however, it's not like this one is the only one like it or the biggest one in the city.  By all appearances, this was just a normal thing in the city and for all I know there may be a number of others in Mexico City.  However, the fact that Billy chose to take us to this market must say something about its good shopping. 

The market is within a large yellow-walled square, but is open-aired in the middle, with a quaint courtyard which forms the nucleus of the collection of shops (Image 1).  The shops branch off all around this center, and there was so much awesome stuff to look at (Image 2)!  A lot of people bought some beautiful blankets and ponchos, and several people brought home large, hand-crafted chess sets.  Some teammates of mine purchased some hammocks in view of our upcoming time in Samoa. 

As for myself, I was not too tempted by much at the time except for one thing: the guitars.  In the time we had (less than an hour and a half), I got around to less than a quarter of the shops, and even in those few I found four guitar shops.  These guitars are not typical American guitars, they are Latin-style guitars with nylon strings instead of steel ones.  I went around to each of these four shops, part of the time with my friend and fellow guitarist Rudy, and I played the best guitar that each had for 1000 pesos (equiv. to 100 dollars).  In America that would get you nothing but junk when it comes to new guitars, but here I played some pretty decent ones for that price.  However, I was not sufficiently satisfied with any one of them to make a decision that quickly (dare I say impulsively?), so I passed on the opportunity to bring home a new guitar.

In much too short a time, we had to gather once again at the center in order to leave (Image 3).  Within hours, this group of 80 would be back on two Mexican charter buses, heading the long haul back to the border, and again from the border to Northwest Texas.  The busride from Mexico City to the border is worthy of much colorful commentary, but I think Billy Moore has probably heard enough about it and besides I would rather not remember that (literally) bone-chilling experience.  But hey, we're apprentice missionaries, so we need to be able to handle tests of endurance like that busride!

IN CONCLUSION: My life was touched by the Mexico City trip I took with my AIM class.  My life experience was broadened and my vision of God's people and purpose is just a bit clearer.  In fact, God's vision in my own life is just a bit clearer.  I hope you have benefited from reading these pages and seeing a few of the things that I saw.  If so, then I rest, for I undertook this project not for myself but for all of those out there, whether strangers to me or close family, who can benefit in any way from having the opportunity to view this series of webpages.  If you are a young person considering entering the AIM program, I pray that you can see how God can send you places, both in this world and in your walk with Him, that you would have never dreamed of seeing.  If you are my dear mother or father - I love you - you are the reason that I even thought of producing this presentation.

Thank you again for visiting and for reading and looking.  Please feel free to email me about anything by clicking here: Email Rob Hindman.