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August 12, 2017 by tomdalzell

Alice and Don drive to Mexico 1957 – Alice’s Account

 

1941 Buick2

Some years ago, Alice Schenker wrote a six-page account of the trip that she and Don took from New York to Mexico and San Francisco in a 1941 Buick in 1957.

Kerouac-and-Friends

Kerouac and Cassady and Ginsberg had all driven to and lived in Mexico.  Kerouac writes beautifully about Mexico in On the Road, but the Schenkers would not have known that writing because On the Road was not yet published when they set off.

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In 1960, Kerouac published Tristessa, a novel about a drug-addicted Mexico City prostitute, real name Esperanza Villanueva.  Kerouac was immersed in the study of Buddhism during his relationship with her.

burroughs1

William Burroughs had several stays in Mexico.  In 1951 he shot and killed his wife in Mexico, perhaps as part of a William Tell reenactment gone wrong.

The point being – the Beats found Mexico inspiring and stimulating.

Meanwhile, back at the ranch, here is what Alice wrote about their trip:

New Orelans

New Orleans

Top

Monterey, Mexico

Monterey, Mexico

3641040

Bottom

SCVIEW469332

Fidel Castro (arrow) and followers arrested in Mexico, 1956. Seated second from left is Ernesto "Ché" Guevara. (photo: AP)

Fidel Castro (arrow) and followers arrested in Mexico, 1956. Seated second from left is Ernesto “Ché” Guevara. (photo: AP)

9780374126247-us

2 copy

mexico12

Mexico City, 1950s

3 copy

Zirahuen

Zirahuen

4 copy

fishermen-with-nets-morning-janitizo-island-patzcuaro-lake-mexico-b3xh5g

Patzcuaro

5 copy

big-sur

bigsur-1

City-Lights-Bookstore-1950s

6 copy

How glad I am that Alice wrote these six pages!

Quirky Berkeley in Berkeley, Calif., is seen on May 12th, 2016.

 

 

 

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One Response to Alice and Don drive to Mexico 1957 – Alice’s Account

  1. Rhonda Borreani says:
    September 5, 2019 at 7:25 pm

    I loved her writing and wished it could go on longer!

    Reply

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