September 2018 trip to Ciudad Acuña, Coahuila - México

I was finally able to make a grocery run to Ciudad Acuña yesterday.  When you cross Mexican Customs you go through an automated line that flashes green or red.  If you get a red light the buzzer sounds and you have to go to a second inspection.  I think this is only the second time I have ever had to be searched.

Currently, it is not the Customs Agents who do the inspections but rather Mexican soldiers.  He asked me if I had anything to declare and I said I had an ice chest in the trunk. He looked at the empty ice chest as he brought the drug-sniffing dog around who did not seem interested in my car.  The young man was very respectful and quickly sent me on my way.

They are building a new state of the art Customs Facility and much progress has been made since the last time I was here. Due to the construction, there are a lot of detours and if you are like myself that needs to go down the main entrance into Acuña to find your way around, you might end up getting lost.

Here were Wednesday's exchange rates so you can see what the price would be in regards to its US dollar equivalent...

Compra = Buy ------->  you purchase $17.90 Mexican Pesos per $1.00 US dollar

Venta = Sell  ----------> you purchase $1.00 US dollar for $18.60 Mexican Pesos


Typically Exchange Houses have more favorable rates than banks that is why if you Google yesterday's exchange rates they will be higher than those featured above.

Started my shopping spree at Bodegas Aurrera.  Here they have a 12-pack of Bud Light on sale for $99.00 Pesos ( 99.00 divided by 17.90 equals $5.53 USD).  You have to take into account that you have to pay additional Texas Alcohol taxes in order to bring it back to the USA. 

They also had a good price on bottled water...the US equivalent of $1.25

My next stop was Soriana's. I like this store because it does not have large crowds and has fresh fruits and vegetables.

I bought a bottle of Kahlua for $149.00 Mexican Pesos...$8.32 USD plus $3.75 Texas State Liquor Tax for a final price of $12.07 USD.

El Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) is just around the corner.  Pan de Muerto is a very popular bread made during this holiday and Mom wanted me to buy her some so I obliged.

The return home was a breeze and only a three-minute wait.

Good night.  May you all have Terlingua Dreams.

Grocery run to Ciudad Acuña, Coahuila - México

While I have gone to Ciudad Acuña recently, the last real grocery run trip I made was back in March http://terlinguadreams.blogspot.com/2017/03/march-2017-trip-to-ciudad-acuna.html

I like to go on Tuesdays but Monday was the only day available as we have other appointments and commitments this week.On this trip, I headed to the north part of town where they have the larger or newer versions of the stores that are located in what is considered the central or downtown area.

I hit the four main stores...Bodegas Aurrera, Gutierrez, Merco, and Soriana. Took two ice chests and came away with enough groceries for a month. Not being Harvest Tuesday, I did not find any super bargains but the prices were reasonable and half of what it would cost in the USA.  Have to watch the budget after the unexpected cost to replace the A/C.

I have had a bottle of Kahlua for about 10 years and I finally finished it. Trying to keep cool, I have been having ice cream with a shot of Kahlua for dessert, it sure makes for a nice treat. Decided to splurge and purchased another bottle.

$147.00 pesos divided by an exchange rate of  $16.70 equals
$8.80 USD. then add $3.75 for Texas Liquor Tax
and a bottle ends up costing $12.55 USD

Dollar to Peso exchange rates continue to be stable.  Here are today's rates down Exchange Rate Alley:

You will have to click on this photo to enlarge it, as this was the most I could zoom in with my cheap camera...sorry!

I have often been asked if I fill up my car in Mexico, the answer is no. While they are an oil producing country they have to refine their product in American Refineries and is sold as Magnum with the price tag to match. The gasoline that is refined in Mexico is not very good. Mexicans with visas fill up in Del Rio, it's cheaper and they get a better product. Besides, it is sold in liters and the math would be horrible to process in my CRS mind!

I did not head into México until close to one o'clock and there were long lines going to the USA. I was afraid I would have to endure the same fate but by five o'clock those lines had diminished and I only had a two car wait.

Good night.  May you all have Terlingua Dreams.