Journal Chapas, 17 March 1978. Tapachula to N, Mexico days, so took second class ($12) at 2pm. Through lander along coast. saw several ferias, as if for land clearing. To forest mountains to W, & large clouds. Few stops, the visited small towns. Stopped at Juchitán for dinner, after dark. Then on through night. 18 March 1978. Arrived Mexico City about 1 p.m., near railway station on Buenavista. Hiked east to an Aeropuerto station & took trolley (3¢) to airport. Crowded, & no plane space worth today. So checked most gear in lockers ($75 for 24 hrs, large), & took trolley & metro into city. Stayed at Hotel Estelar; $3.50 for single up both. Walked in city & got reservation on plane with tomorrow. Hard rain & cold. 19 March 1978. Sunday. Walked around Mr. San Juan Market. Then metro to Mercado, fantastic produce market. Walked a few blocks S. to M. de los Borregos, where pets, baskets, & so on. Birds - in cages, grackles, dickcissels, buntings, cardinals, solitaires, & others. Then metro & trolley to airport. About 3:30 WA to Los Angeles. No problems w. customs & agriculture; our tourist papers helped, but inspectors casual on Sunday. Agricultural men refused to look at live green snake and [illegible] food. Plane to San Francisco, where bus met us. Specimens: CBK 4611-4630 to MVZ. Also ETK specimens.