January 7, 2006

We left early Saturday for Brownsville and the Mexican border, passing miles of open fields ready for planting and little else. We arrived at Brownsville at 9:30, filled up with gas and went to the border. We had no difficulty with the immigration process or getting the car permit. We were back in the car after a 20 minute process. We approached the exit where a stoplight with a red and green light awaited. Just as in the airports in Mexico, customs officials do not check every person that arrives. If you get a red light, you must unpack for inspection. While we had nothing that customs would be concerned with, the process would have taken valuable time and it would have been a bother. Prayers were answered because we got a green light at the exit. Pablo cautioned us to drive slowly so we did not attract attention. We made it through the border and went straight to the mall! Pablo wanted a detailed map of Mexico and I needed to find an ATM to get pesos for the trip.

Glenn was curious why Pablo needed a map to get home, but that became evident as we made our way down the coastline on Hwy 180. We traveled on all grades of roads during that first day, trading off driving responsibilities and listening to the Satellite radio that Ginny got me for Christmas.

I have to mention that the only time Pablo drove was through a stretch that included the city of Tampico. We were on a busy two-lane city street behind a line of double-trailer trucks which require aggressive driving to get around. Pablo passed one truck and slipped behind another before the oncoming bus made a permanent dent in my hood. Unfortunately, the driver behind us also made the maneuver, but was unable to stop before he hit the rear carrier I have attached to the trailer hitch. We all got out to inspect the damage, which was minimal for us, but more than minor for the guy that hit us. He seemed ok with us driving on. So I purchase Mexican auto insurance, but thankfully didn’t have to file a claim, but gratefully did not end up in jail after our first incident.

The last three hours of the day were spend on a narrow, deteriorated two lane mountain road behind trucks and buses. We gratefully arrived in Tuxpan at 9 pm and got a room in the Riviera Hotel for $490 pesos. We found a nearby restaurant for a late supper which was very good, then off to bed. God had blessed us with traveling mercies for another day.