Home again, home again, jiggidy, jig...

I am happy to report we are safely back in Pozos after a three-day adventure back to the border to get ourselves and our vehicle legal!

Driving in Mexico is an adventure in itself. A left turn signal from a vehicle in front of you doesn't mean they are turning left, it is a suggestion that you pass them. A polite gesture to be sure, however how do you know when someone is hoping to merge into the left lane or make a left turn?! The hazards are used for that purpose. Any time you intend to really make a turn off the current path, you turn on the hazards.  

Traffic signs indicating the speed limit are completely ignored, in fact the posted speed of 80 KmPH must mean 80 MPH because that is the speed all drivers follow! There are more large trucks than cars on Highway 57 and it is a true race track. I don't think I'll ever drive here, thank heavens Keith is a PRO!

The worst part of our trip back to the border was passing through Monterrey, a huge, super polluted city about two hours south of Laredo, Texas. Quite by mistake we found ourselves deep in the heart of the city in weaving masses of cars trying to find our way back on the highway after pulling off the main road to rest for the night. I had looked up directions on Google Maps that would take us easily out of town, but when we got to the interstate entrance it was blocked off! Thanks Google Maps!! 

Getting to the immigration office in Nuevo Laredo, Mexico was a breeze because I had printed out very specific directions from a Gringo Blog. There were no lines, we were in & out with our passports stamped and the car decal attached in fifteen minutes. You can imagine our relief. Since our return, we have heard tales of cars being confiscated and never returned, $5000.US fines, and a week in jail for the decal violation. We are lucky campers!

Keith has been working hard painting the outside of the house in a shade lighter than was here originally. Even yesterday when it was lightly raining he was outside painting until after the sun went down. It looks bright & beautiful.

While Keith works outside the house each day, I have been finding time to walk into our little town of Pozos to visit Kelly & her family. I am handed Bronte's darling  baby, Levy, the minute I enter their home. Six year old Tally entertains me with puppet shows, her handwritten books and art creations. She meets my need for little people perfectly.

This afternoon our neighbor Shannon is taking me to meet another Gringa, Karen, who likes to dance for exercise. There was a Zumba class until recently in one of the plazas in Pozos, hopefully we can get something going again soon.

I'll add pictures as soon as I can remember to bring my camera out with me. 

Our first seven days living in Mexico

Ready to take off on the long journey

After visiting Bryce Canyon, Zion National Park and our dear friends, Wayne & Cindi, we headed south to enter our new home for the winter. 

Amazing Bryce Canyon

The drive through northern Arizona was beautiful with the Vermillion Cliffs keeping us company for many miles. The road through verdant pine forests dropped into more barren land as we traveled through Native People's Lands.

Vermillion Cliffs

 Southwestern New Mexico's Gila National Forest was another visual wonder. Keith kept driving into the evening and,unfortunately, we were unable to find anywhere to stay until way past dark finally stopping in Silver City for a night's rest.

New Mexico's southwestern forest

Up early the next morning we found our way to I-10. We passed Thomas's college town, Las Cruces, checking in with him via telephone. We were again surprised by the mountain vistas.

Coming into Las Cruces, what mountains!!

  El Paso was much too large to consider a crossing into Mexico, what traffic!!

We couldn't get out of El Paso fast enough

We drove all day until Fort Stockton, Texas, where we sampled flavored whiskeys before checking into a Motel 6. Who knew Texas was such fun?

Fort Stockton, Texas

Our third day of driving south took us off the interstate until we reached Eagle Pass, Texas, which I had read was an easy place to enter. It turns out it was TOO easy! The customs agent ignored our carload of clothing & new supplies for the house, waving us on into the busy Sunday traffic. So happy we were to be in Mexico that we ignored a major task, checking in with immigration & the car registration requirement!

Crossing into Mexico!!

On we drove until we found a brand new hotel, somewhat like a mirage, out in the middle of nowheresville. Checking in we felt lucky to find a swank, but inexpensive, place to lay our heads.

In the morning we came to our senses. We had NO car decal to prove we had paid temporary registration fees and the bond required by Mexico to assure you will not sell your vehicle before returning home to the states. 

Checking with the first Gringos we saw in Mexico, we knew for sure we had created our first challenge of living in Mexico. The couple we spoke to were on their way back from Ajijic to Florida. They confirmed our stupid mistake, but agreed that we should proceed to our destination, Mineral de Pozos, though they didn't know how the problem could be solved. 

Being optimists with the American "can do" spirit we were back on the road heading south arriving in Pozos in the early afternoon where we were met with hugs & shots of tequila from our loving neighbors Mike & Shannon.

Wonderful Neighbors and hosts, Mike & Shannon

Boxes were hauled inside before we drove two kilometers into Pozos to visit Kelly and her family. Kelly & kids had watched over our lovely home for the seven months since we purchased it in March. As we had predicted Kelly 'freaked' when she heard we were in country illegally and quickly made some calls. All confirmed that a trip back to the border was required to remedy our situation. 

A super SHOUT OUT to Kelly who has taken such great care of the house!

However, first we had to get the electric power secured in our names. While Kelly had been able to have the power on when we arrived because of her connections, it was on without the knowledge of CFE, the Mexican electricity company.

Solving this problem was how we met Ken (El Gringo) and Nancy. They have lived in the area for over 25 years and have vast knowledge of everything about living The Mexican Way.

Ken walked us through San Luis de la Paz, greeting everyone he passed with handshakes & happy banter, in Spanish which was a real treat for us.

After the power situation was taken care of we visited an immigration specialist who assured us that with the paperwork I had (Mexican car insurance, my car title and driver license) no harm would come our way. Relieved, we shared a lovely lunch of salmon at his house.

The next day Keith worked super hard in the yard, a full acre of lavender, flowers and cactus alongside Mike & Shannon, whose yard is very pretty & well-tended. I worked in the house finding places for everything.

Mike & Shannon are very generous people who kindly offered showers when we discovered the propane tank that we had filled in March was emptied from having the water heaters on in our absence, another lesson learned.


Thursday we ventured into San Miguel de Allende with Kelly and girls. Kelly led us to the Immigration Office while the girls had healing massages.



Bad news for the Brownings was delivered by the Notary Public who helps with immigration. We were told that we must return to the US/Mexico border for FM3 papers to establish our temporary residency & to obtain the car decal. We nearly cried on the spot, but instead went for a great lunch at La Luna which will become a standard eating establishment for our ventures into SMA.



Upon returning home I read a text message from the woman in St. George who purchased our pre-Mexico retirement home, only to 'forget' to pay each month. She was requesting that we give her another chance (not happening). Then my phone rang and I was warned that my American Express had fraudulent charges (FROM THE STATES). A very messy, snot-filled melt-down occurred. Mike from next door sensed trouble, Shannon was quickly called over for reinforcements and the two of them calmed us down with lots of reassurance & and a bit of their special brew. An emotional day ended with bonding, how lucky we are!



The next morning Shannon invited me to Latin America's largest, and by far the most elegant, mall! I haven't been into the mall scene since jr. high, but I was happy to go with her and believe me, I'll be back. The City Market was incredible!!! A SUPER supermarket with everything you could dream of and more. It's located on the outskirts of Queretaro, a very modern and fast growing metropolis about 40 miles from Pozos. We had a great time together walking the mall & having lunch.



Saturday was another working around the house day, wow has Keith cleared & cleaned away the yard mess! It looks much better than when we arrived. We're excited to make a plan for the backyard where most of the lavender has died.

Avoiding hard physical labor, I went into San Luis de la Paz with Kelly & her daughter Bronte, Kelly's granddaughter, Tally (my new 6-year old buddy) and Bronte's new baby, Levy Matteo (too cute). They showed me where the main supermarket was, where to buy prepared chicken (Friend Chiken, don’t you love the spelling for Fried Chicken!), the freshest poultry & eggs, hot off the press tortillas and the bakery. All life’s necessities not ten minutes from home.



On Sunday, Keith & I started what we hope will become our daily routine. We walked a huge loop on the trails just outside our doors, up the mountain, around the mountain biking trails and then down into our new little town of Pozos.

I then led Keith back to the Supermarket in San Luis, following the Kelly's path. I had paid very close attention to how to get there, getting home was another story. A five-minute journey home turned into 45 frustrating minutes, but we did find the way out of the maze, eventually.



On the weekends, Kelly's kids run a taco stand, so Keith & I went back to Pozos for lunch. Their tacos are very tasty and the garden where they serve is very nice, full of flowers. I bet this will become a Sunday standard for us. 


Pozos comes alive with people on the weekend. There are many small art galleries that open on Saturday & Sunday. This weekend was special because there was a Cine Festival. Right now the main street of Pozos is all torn up because the electricity lines are being placed under the cobblestone road. It's really a mess. But the local people we've spoken with are very positive about the inconvenience because it will be a nicer road. As it is now you have to go up and around the center plaza which requires 4-wheel drive and nerves of steel.


Today, day seven in Mexico, was a travel day. We are currently about two hours south of Nuevo Laredo where we will become legal visitors tomorrow morning. We'll take care of business and drive halfway home tomorrow spending one more night on the road to make it a safer & easier journey for the driver, Keith, and the reluctant car traveler, your favorite blogger.