April 12, 2019 trip to Ciudad Acuña, Coahuila - México - Part I

This past Tuesday (April 8th) when I went to take Nico for his post-surgery check-up I was able to land an appointment for Paquito to have the same operation (neutering).  Though I frown on Friday trips to Ciudad Acuña because so many people head out that way, it usually isn't until the afternoon that they start arriving in masses.

Checked my now favorite link  Border Wait Times and there was a 60-minute delay to cross into Del Rio but since I was headed to México it did not matter.  I have tried to find a link to Mexican Border Crossing Wait Times along the Texas-Mexico border but only found some for Baja California and they only list a telephone number.

Had every intention of just dropping Paquito off and returning to Del Rio but when I crossed into México the lines to cross to the USA spilled back to beyond the Mexican toll booths.  It is a good thing that they built this new Mexican Customs facility because it can absorb the long lines that previously would bring traffic to a halt extending up to five streets deep.

Del Rio has another International Bridge located on the road to Amistad Dam.  Its hours of operation are from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and you do not have to pay a toll either way to cross it.

It was a little after 9:00 a.m. and the wait time had risen to 80 minutes on the main International Bridge.  If you have been reading me for a while you know that I dislike waiting in line for ANYTHING.  Decided to run some errands to kill time until they opened up the Amistad Dam Port of Entry. 

Headed to Soriana a large Mexican department store that I would liken to a Target.  It is large, well stocked, clean, has ample parking space and most importantly no crowds.

Before I post pictures of items I want to first post the Exchange Rates for today that have been holding steady for a few weeks.

Compra = Buy -------> they will buy your American Dollar for $17.30
Venta = Sell ----------> they will sell you an American Dollar for $18.70

I had to smile when I saw this new Coca-Cola with no sugar.  If there is something that Americans like is Mexican Coca-Cola that is made with cane sugar and not high fructose corn syrup like in the USA.  The Mexican government has been making strides to lower childhood obesity rate which depending on the study rates them first or second in the world.

29.15 Mexican Pesos divided by 17.30 exchange rate
 equals $1.69 USD for a 2.5-liter bottle

For the ladies or why not also gentlemen, México has very affordable prices on hair dyes because although they are American brands they are manufactured in México.

$39.00 Mexican Pesos divided by 17.30 exchange rate
equals $2.25 USD

These two single burner cooktops are Mexican made and I do not know about you but I rather buy Mexican than low-quality Chinese products.  I do not mean that in a disrespectful way, just facts.

$20.18 and $14.45 USD

For those who happen to be beer lovers like myself, there are always beer bargains but you have to take into account that you have to pay Texas Liquor Taxes when you bring them back to the states. Except at the Amistad Dam Port of Entry because they do NOT have a liquor tax collection booth...but you MUST declare it or you will be subjected to a steep fine.  I personally buy my beer at Stripes in Del Rio much cheaper than at HEB or Walmart.

 

Tecate Light 12 pack $8.67 USD

Soriana also has a Pemex gasoline station on its premises.  I do not know how much it goes for as I never buy gasoline in México.

Good night.  May you all have Terlingua Dreams.




Spurs Corner

This evening at 9:30 p.m. Central Time our Spurs will play the Denver Nuggets in the first game in the First Round of the 2019 NBA Playoffs. 

I am a little concerned since we do not play well on the road and Denver is a tough city to play at not necessarily because of the opponents but due to its high altitude.

Go Spurs Go!!!

Library / Hotel Reviews / Back Room

Went to the library yesterday to do some research and to be able to print the results since as previously mentioned the only computer that I am able to print from I can not connect to the Internet after the idiot Time Warner Cable guy did something to it.

I do not know why I bothered as the local library has everything disabled.  Was trying to look up hotels and print out rates to no avail.  Decided I would read some blogs instead but since due to my CRS, I can only remember my blog name and Tffnguy's...googled his as mine does not have a blog roll.  You guessed it...the library has disabled links on blogs as well.  Turned off the machine with still 15 minutes left on the 30 minutes they allow per day. If I have to write everything down long hand...might as well do it from the comfort of my own home and without time limits.

Was trying to recall the last time I stayed in a hotel and it has been ages.  When did they get so expensive?  Darn, all I want is a regular room, not a suite :-(

Must admit I was a little taken back at some of the hotel  reviews especially considering some of these are supposed to be "good ones"...so much for that!  I think I will wait until I get to San Angelo locate the doctor's office and then find a hotel.  I am leaning more toward a motel though.

Today I had to tackle my vehicle's trunk.  Remember I took my Kodiak tent down a couple of months back?  Well I had no place to put the stuff I had in there so my trunk and mother's mini van were the recipients.

Had to clean out the shed/bathroom/tool room/catch all room we have in the back and make it all fit.  Took me a while but I was able to pull it off.  As you know I do not drink coffee very often but I needed something to get me going.  Recalled I still had a Mexican Coca-Cola and decided to drink it.  Would like to say I noticed a difference since it is made with real sugar...but I didn't, oh well!

Since I do not know how long we will be gone I have been watering the trees and plants both in the morning and evening to give them a fighting chance with this terrible heat wave we are experiencing.  It will be the survival of the fittest...if it was up to me I would hire a bulldozer and get rid of everything but the shade trees, Esperanza's and bougainvilleas.

Good night.  May you all have Terlingua Dreams.