AARP of which I am a member has a lot of workshops for technologically-challenged individuals such as myself. I would love to attend some but the closest ones are in San Antonio. Last night I wanted to download the documents I scanned at the library to my computer and boy was that a challenge :-(
I then proceeded to copy some of my favorite Aunty Acid sayings to my thumb drive because my computer is slowing down and acting sluggish so no telling when it will crash on me and I do not want to lose them. Now I understand the saying "Ignorance is Bliss"...I somehow managed to not only download Aunty Acid but ALL of my downloads that include my favorite pictures from the many years of my attendance to the CASI Chili Cook-off. So, if you are asking yourself WHY I am posting old pictures on my header...that is the reason!
Early Tuesday morning we had some wonderful rain though this area of Val Verde County did not get as much as other parts. My parent's house is in the southern tip of the county and we improved from Extreme to Severe Drought.
I am sure you will not be shocked to learn that I have yet to make it back to Walmart being the self-professed Queen of Procrastination that I am :-(
Since it is 1:12 p.m. I can not wish you Terlingua Dreams so have a great day instead :D
Aunty Acid Saying of the Day
It seems like there should be a way for hot-shot computer users to do all the things they like, while allowing us non-tekkies to do our own thing. Why, with all the technological advances, can't there be a simplified option for those who don't want hi-tech complexity.
ReplyDeleteAs usual Gypsy, I could not agree more. Perhaps it is because the hot-shot computer users are in the majority.
DeleteHi MsB,
ReplyDeleteSince you are very familiar with this procedure, what are the “new” rules (latest rules) concerning what document(s) you have to have to cross the border into Mexico and return to the US?
I have not been to Mexico “recently” (the past 10 years). When I was going, it was getting more difficult, and then, I think, impossible to cross with just a driver license. I was “detained” for a lengthy time because they thought I was working in Mexico (I was not). Then, they claimed I had been there for over 48 hours and said that I needed a Tourist Visa (I had not been there for over 48 hours on this particular trip). On a different trip, I decided to get a Tourist Visa because I had read that they technically can throw you out of the country if you are in the “interior” without a Tourist Visa. I brought a copy (not the original) of my birth certificate and it took me a long time to convince them that I was not going to travel with my original birth certificate even though they were requiring it. They finally issued me a Tourist Visa.
It was becoming such a hassle to cross the border (both ways) so I quit going to Mexico.
“N” and I were discussing the current requirements. She thinks that you can still cross the border and stay withing some limit, such as 10 miles, and not have to have a passport. I think that is incorrect and think you now have to have a passport to get back into the US. I did a quick search and read you must now have a passport, or PASS card, or Enhanced Driver License (only issued in some states, not issued in Texas).
Since you cross the border on a regular basis, what do you think is required or will suffice now a days?
Thanks for any “practical” information since you are a pro at this.
By the way, I did not pay a mordida and just waited them out, sitting on their bench while five or six of them in uniforms stood in front of me. This was on the Mexican side where I was just trying to cross the bridge back to the US. They were not police, they were in the green uniforms so they were Mexican la migra, not US. I think they got tired of me and saw that I was not concerned in the least bit so they finally let me go.
I must say this is the first time I have ever heard an American citizen being detained and interrogated by the Mexican Migra as you were.
DeleteMy experience and that of most of the people I know that cross at the Ciudad Acuña/Del Rio sector has always been positive. Mexico has always gone out of their way to welcome tourists even more so if they are American...we bring dollars!
You do not need any documents to cross into Mexico as long as you do not travel more than 12 miles from the border. "N", is correct you NEED a passport or passcard to return to the USA as Texas does not have an Enhanced Drivers license.
While I have personally never been subjected to this a former blogger Billy Bob crossed back into the USA in the El Paso/Ciudad Juarez sector without a passport and spent hours being interrogated and red-flagged in case he tried it again would have been subjected to steep fines.
You can stay in Mexico for six months without a visa. After 9/11 our American authorities began requiring a passport or passcard even for us that lived along the border. You can obtain an application at your local post office (not all have them) then make an appointment to present your documentation (birth certificate or naturalization certificate, driver's license or military ID) and of course your payment. In less than a month you should have your passport or passcard.
If I can answer any other question do not hesitate to ask. That goes for you or any other readers who may be contemplating a trip to Mexico.
Thank you for that information.
DeleteI think the final straw that convinced me my trips to Mexico were over was when a US Border Patrol agent made me empty all my pockets and then explain why I had cash on me. I have not been back since. I had no problems “in” Mexico, it was always at the border from both sides.
Oh, and, since I was walking across the bridge on this particular trip, he asked why I was walking. I told him I was walking to my vehicle. He asked to see my keys. I think they were probably on the table because he had just asked me to empty my pockets. I showed them to him and I laughed because I thought it was a silly request. He let me go and I have not been back.
DeleteFlyingdj if I had been subjected to what you were I do not think I would ever go back.
DeleteIt was bad enough when an older ICE agent made me produce a second picture ID because he felt I did not look like my passcard photo. However, I have no other option as I do not have health insurance and have to go to Mexico for my medical and dental needs.
Glad to hear you got a few drops of rain and hope when the next rain comes it won't be all at once.
ReplyDeleteThat is very interesting information about crossing over and getting back. It has been many years since I have been to Mexico. I hope we will be able to be good neighbors after this stupid president is gone.
We continue to have snow and ice here but it has begun to melt a little. The flu is really bad here and I skipped a funeral because of it. Now with this horrible virus scare I will go out even less, even though it is an isolated area. I am glad to have your blog and Auntie Acid for company and a smile.
I dread spring because I am sure we will be getting some serious rains. In this area, it is feast or famine.
DeleteI think it is going to take a long time to restore our relationship not just with Mexico but with other nations. This administration has done irreparable damage on so many levels.
Glad to hear the snow and ice are melting it is cold where you live. It seems every day more cases of the coronavirus pop up it is very scary.
As long as I do not accidentally erase my thumb drive or my computer dies we will have Aunty Acid for a while.
If your computer is slowing down that much I would suggest getting a good Anti Virus as well as a Good Anti-Spyware. We use the Free version of Anti-Spyware to get rid of Cookies and close Open Files. Kathy collects over Twelve Hundred Cookies a week that slows her computer down. It's easy to download.
ReplyDeleteBe Safe and Enjoy!
It's about time.
I have an Anti Virus that comes with my internet service. I believe I also have an Anti-Spyware that I need to learn how to use as I had to pay for it after trying it out for 30 days.
DeleteRick nothing to do with computers or technology is easy for me.
Good to hear you did get some rain. We have had so much rain that the weeds are out of control. Sprayed some but the sprayer is not working right so I will have to buy a new one tomorrow, that or a lawn mower LOL
ReplyDeleteLove Auntie Acid, that's now I feel
Always good to get rain if only those darn weeds would not be the by-product. I know I should get to them now before they get out of control but I know myself too well and that is just not going to happen :-(
DeleteAuntie Acid is a shrewd lady.