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.
How was Zumba?
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