Keeping Mexico safe must be the reason we were stopped TWICE crossing in this year. The Americans were the first to stop us and make sure we were not bringing any drugs or illegals into Mexico. The Mexicans actually had us empty the back of the truck to make sure we were not smuggling anything in. Really! What kind of backwards thinking is that?!? And that was only the beginning of the hoops we had to jump through. Eight stops in all. We were searched twice and bribed our way out once. We had to explain Ceremonial Cornmeal and Tarot cards – then were handed Mormon (or Jehovah Witness) literature. It was pretty surprising – the first time in 12 years we were so picked on.
Another first for us was driving through rain to get here. Unbeknownst to us, there was a hurricane lurking in the Pacific. We got to Mazatlan, unloaded the front of the bus so we could start putting things away and got hit with a fierce rain storm. Our E-Z UP canopy really is easy to put up as it turns out. And quick too! Today is day three of being back and we are finally dried out and settled in.
Hal spent the early part of the day remaking our front door which had started to rot after 4 years of being in this climate. Power tools were in operation and tomorrow the outdoor kitchen redo will begin. Today also saw the beginning of the garden (all from plants that in spite of the 8 checkpoints were successfully smuggled into the country).
We are lucky to have a pool this year so when we need to cool off, in we go. Really a nice addition to the park. We’ve been in every day, a couple of times a day. I love it.
We are starting to reconnect with our little community – had our first coffee at the Looney Bean yesterday. We even went to a drumming/chanting circle late in the afternoon.
If I had to pick a theme for the time since we left it would have to be a split between the federales and baseball. We have been able to keep up in bars, restaurants, computers…. Everywhere we can. It has been a fun series (well, more fun for Hélène, the Tigers fan).
Our first neighbor arrived this afternoon. With 150 spaces in the park, they chose to park 2 spaces away from us. Go figure. They actually moved back a couple more spaces after we let them know they were blocking our internet. Welcome to the neighborhood….
There is a sweet little iguana that lives in our vicinity (and does NOT bother our internet). He is a bit shy, but we are hoping for a photo soon.
It is good to be back. It is hot and steamy and we are always sweaty. And we are loving it.
