The Winter of 2009 - FL & Mexico

Hola,

The "crossing" yesterday was uneventful - Thank God!
We made it to San Carlos (Guaymas) about 4:00pm last night, driving 260 miles south to get here.
Wi-fi is fast and I'll be able to send pictures.

I'll give details later today after we walk/drive around.

Just wanted anyone who still remembers us to know that we made it safely. No bandidos in sight!

Adios

I just noticed that the internet signal was lost when I sent the above message so it did not post at noon today when we left to explore San Carlos. So I'll begin now.

The "crossing" -

As much anxiety as we had about this "event" one would think we were going to the gallows. But it really was painless. We lowered our alcohol inventory fearful that excessive amounts might be confiscated as well as meat and chicken and produce. Brown liquor (as in Crown Royal) is hard and expensive to get down here. White liquor (as in vodka, gin, rum, etc.) is cheap. American wine is also hard and expensive, so we have been told. We were tempted to load up on our favorite items, but opted to be safe and only have on hand small quantities of anything that might be illegal or heavily taxed.

We drove up to the border, could hardly understand any signs, and fortunately saw one that said RV's. We entered that lane and out jumped a border guard. She just waived us on through. That's it. No inspection! No declaring anything! No nothing! We just drove on through. What a waste of nerves fearful of what might happen. I could have brought enough of our favorite beverages to last the entire trip without problem. Mexico doesn't care.

Next stop was the Migracion office about 15 miles south of the border. Big area to park the rig and not at all congested. First we had to get our tourist permits. They get your personal information to record and issue the tourist card. Can't pay for them at that window, had to go to the copy shop and pay for copies ($0.25 each). Then to the Banjercito (let's just say it's the bank) to pay for the permits. At that stop, if one is prepared and has all vehicle information (registration or titles) with multiple copies and copies of passports and an American credit card, vehicle import permits can be purchased at the same time. If not prepared you go back to your vehicle to get paperwork and then back to the copy shop and then back in line at the Banjercito.
But through my dilligent research into the process we had it ALL when we got to the window to pay and were in and out in only one hour.

After that, we just drove on. Mexico has speed bumps (topes) everwhere and they are severe. But the roads were basically good and better than some US Interstates we have encountered. We did, however, pay to take the "toll roads" and not the free roads. Both go to the same places but the toll roads are paved and avoid most towns and are a lot more RV friendly. They are expensive, but cheap all things considered.

The poverty is sad to witness all along the highway! What a huge difference the quality of life is just South Of the Border! Enough said. I don't want to talk down Mexico. It is what it is and we are here to experience their way of life.

My biggest worry was driving around Hermosillo, the State capital. It's said to be brutal if you go the wrong way. There is a "bypass" that is the way to go, but we had heard stories that it can be hard to follow due to poor signage. Make a wrong turn and you are in trouble! Fortunately, we had an online friend who emailed us a detailed map to follow (actually the map was of the entire drive from Nogales to Mazatlan) and we breezed on through Hermosillo. Whew!!!!!!!!!
After that was over and we were out of the city I was on a mission to get to San Carlos, park the RV, and pour a big Crown Royal. I made it! I poured it! And I drank it! Ellen had one too. I pressured her alot to be the navigator and follow the map and give me the verbal warnings of upcomng turns to make. We yelled at each other a little, but made it still amigos.
The RV park is nice, however, not extremely clean by American standards. But, we have been in much worse in the US. The weather is great. The prices are great. The people are so friendly and helpful. These things are not too easy to find in the US all wrapped up in one.

Went across the street last night to eat at what was reported to be a great spot on the water for dinner. It was not too bad, but not great. Thing was, we were the only customers all night 6:30pm-8:00pm! The poor economy has really hit hard down here. No problem getting in anywhere. While there, a lady singer came up to our table with a guitar and sang us a song. Ellen gave her $2 American. She smiled and thanked us with mucho gusto. She returned later, unrequested, and sang another song. We felt we had given her a good tip the first time and she was just returning to sing us another. When she finished, we still gave her some pesos ($1 American) but she refused it and said we owed her $4 American - $4.00 !!! Ellen told her, in a way she understood, to go away! She swore at us in Spanish, thankfully we did not understand because it had to be bad, and she stormed off talking to herself. What an ungrateful bitch! Later, when she walked back through the dining room, she went way to the other side of the room to avoid us (Ellen). Remember, we were the only ones there, it was so obvious she did not want to confront Ellen again. That's my girl!

Bought Pesos today - about 13.5 per US dollar. And I bought a cheap Mexican cell phone. Our Verizon phones work in the bigger cities, but not on the highways in between. The Mexican cell phone should work out in the "boonies" if we have a problem, and will be cheaper to use overall. But I can't quite suspend the Verizon "lifeline" just yet. Our Mexican cell phone dialing instructions will be posted on the first page of the Blog along with the other contact information as soon as I am certain of the costs. I'm sure it's less than Verizon but all instructions and charges are in Spanish. So when we are confident it's ok to use the phone without extreme costs we will make it available.

Dinner tonight at a different restaurant at a "resort" across the street - 3 beers, 1 wine, 2 tequila, 1 shrimp cocktail (large), 1 langosta (lobster) dinner, 1 red snapper dinner, and 1 excessive tip - $1,000 pesos (about $74 US). And we were allowed to have the dogs with us. We walked to the beach, the waiters brought out a table and chairs, table cloth, and silverware. We sat there with our girls and ate dinner as the sun sat over the Sea of Cortez. All just across the street from the RV park. We went early to enjoy the sunset and were the only early diners, but this place was getting busy as we left. But it was a much nicer place and a lot more friendly and cleaner than last night.

It may be too late to post pictures tonight. I'll publish this commentary now and try to stay awake long enough to add pictures. If not tonight, tomorrow morning before heading further South. Only about 160 miles to our next stop - Huatabampito, still on the Sea of Cortez but getting real close to the actual Pacific coast.

Dos Amigos,

Elena & Diego -hasta la vista baby!

The big bad border
My camera date label function mal-functioned so ignore the dates