Tuesday, February 15, 2011

Down Mexico Way

This morning I mentioned on F*cebook that we were going to Mexico. I received several "be careful, be safe" comments. I have to admit, I was a bit floored.

I didn't really think about the possibility of problems until we actually walked across the bridge that spans the Rio Grande River and saw the armed soldiers in a small tank-like vehicle and armored car sitting on the Mexican side of the bridge. Ten years ago Denny and I came here with friends and the worst thing we had to deal with were the beggars who stood shoulder to shoulder at the end of the bridge holding out styrofoam cups for the tourists to drop their coins into. Today the four of us stayed on the main street leading south into town, hitting the big tourist shops, browsing the stands of jewelry, purses, DVDs, dolls, more jewelry, purses, DVDs, etc that line the street. Not much has changed in ten years, except back then there were street performers for the "winter Texans" and today the only performers we saw were the exotic dancers riding around in a golf cart to advertise the gentleman's club down the way.

Not to make light of the drug situation in Mexico, but it's not like that in every border town. Granted, there are towns I wouldn't go near and I wouldn't wander too far off the main drags of the towns we do visit. But there is safety in numbers and Nuevo Progresso is a town you can still visit without too much worry if you use common sense. So we went, we wandered, we had lunch and a couple of Tequila Sunrises to drink and we spent some money and we walked back across the border with no problem. And chances are we'll do it again before we leave Texas. I might even buy some Chiclets the next time around.

4 comments:

GlorV1 said...

Well, I'm glad all went okay. I am one who would be afraid to cross any border outside the good old USA. My country is where I want to be. With this attitude I'll never go anywhere but tis how I feel. Glad you are back safe and sound and that you enjoyed your Tequila Sunrises. take care.

OmaLindasOldeBaggsandStuftShirts said...

You're a better man than me Gunga Din. There is no way in blue blazes I would ever cross the border into Mexico. I might fly in and go to some secluded Isla but not just across the border. The man down the street was gunned down as he took his mother (a mexican citizen) back to Mexico to her mother's funeral. So sad.
So I am extremely glad my RV amigos are okay. Be well and safe, The Olde Bagg, Linda

Arkansas Patti said...

I am so glad you had a safe venture but really hope you don't go back. There has just been one horror story after another which is sad for I'm sure it once was an interesting place to visit.
Please be careful.

The Good Luck Duck said...

Hello there,

I found your blog the old-fashioned way: Google. It's good to meet you.

What's your experience with Los Algodones?

I'm going to go look around in your medicine cabinet and open your closets now.

Roxanne
The Good Luck Duck

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