Page:Appleton's Guide to Mexico.djvu/30

2 very high. Wraps and hand-bags, carried into the passenger-cars, are, of course, free of charge. Passengers must purchase tickets before, their baggage can be checked. They will receive a paper check with a number corresponding to that of a label pasted on the trunk or valise. Wells, Fargo & Co. have established express agencies in the Republic, and there are baggage-express companies in Puebla and Mexico. In the large cities, coaches do not meet trains on arrival as in the United States, but horse-cars usually pass the doors of the hotels. Hacks are common, and can be hired to the hotel at an average price of four reales. Diligence-drivers and railroad-porters do not expect fees. Carry soap and matches with you. The natives make excellent wax-matches called cerillos, which are sold at one centavo a box. As regards clothing, the tourist does not require as thick garments on the coast as upon the table-land. Woolen under-clothing should be worn all the year round on the tierra fria, and for three quarters of the year in the temperate zone. A Mexican blanket, or zarape, will be found very useful for the tourist, in addition to a cloak or overcoat. It can be put on the bed at night and will serve as a wrap in the diligences. A linen duster is of great service in the dry season. On first reaching Mexico, care should be taken to avoid exposure to the direct rays of the sun. Although sunstrokes are very rare, yet headache or fever comes from a strong sun, until the tourist has become acclimated. Solar hats should be worn in the summer season. Keep out of the night air at first. There is a great difference between the temperature in the sun and in the shade on the table-land. Tourists should accordingly be careful to avoid taking cold. The facilities for washing clothes in Mexican cities are very poor, and it is advisable to have several changes of linen, so as not to be detained in a place on account of being obliged to wait for one's clean garments.