Trip to the Beauty Shop - Ciudad Acuña, Coahuila, México

If it was up to mother we would go see our favorite hairdresser every two weeks. Being that we have a tight agenda that is not possible so decided to humor her and took her yesterday.

We are now sporting shorter haircuts as temperatures have been in the mid to high eighties and will continue on that pace into the foreseeable future.

Being that Tuesday's are Martes de Cosecha (Harvest Tuesday) we made our way to Gutierrez. Picked up the usual papaya, melon, bananas, cilantro, serranos, tomatoes, yogurt, cheese, sweet bread, bolillos and some low-fat milk.

The bargain of the day were tomatoes. They were selling for $3.90 Mexican Pesos for a kilo. $3.90 divided by an exchange rate of $17.60 equals .22 American cents for one kilo divided by 2.2 lbs brings the final price to .10 US cents a pound.  We bought 2.92 kilos or 6.424 pounds for $11.39 pesos or .65 US cents.

On our last trip, I was lamenting the fact that I did not buy some baked chicken that the Gutierrez personnel bar-b-q on the parking lot.  I decided I would buy some today for dinner.  First I asked to see how big the chicken was since the price was remarkable one chicken for $20.00 pesos ($1.14 USD) or three for $45.00 pesos ($2.56 USD).

It wasn't a whole chicken but a hindquarter and it came with five corn tortillas and a big serving of Pico de Gallo.  A meal that feeds two people for $2.56 USD is a real bargain and we still have one hindquarter left for today or tomorrow.

March 21st was the official birthday of Benito Juarez one of México's most revered ex-president's but being that México has followed in the United States footsteps, it was celebrated Monday so people could have a long three day weekend.

The traffic around banks, municipal and state offices was very heavy.  It, therefore, came as a surprise when we were heading back home that there was hardly any traffic on either side of the bridges.  We pulled into an empty customs lane and were on our way in less than two minutes.

I want to take this opportunity to thank my readers and fellow bloggers for all the nice e-mails you have sent me regarding my dizzy spells.  I had not had the opportunity to go online until today but I promise to personally answer every single one of them but it may take me a while.

Good night.  May you all have Terlingua Dreams.

June 2016 trip to Ciudad Acuna, Coahuila, Mexico

For the first time I decided to see exactly how far mileage wise it is from my mother's house to Mexican Customs in Ciudad Acuna.  It is four miles and today it took me 13 minutes to cross into Mexico because there was traffic...though Mexican authorities sped it up and were not searching.

There is an event called "The Running of the Vacas" which is Ciudad Acuna's version of the infamous "Running of the Bulls".  There were banners all over the city promoting it, it will take place Thursday, June 30th.

The US dollar to Peso exchange rate is getting higher and higher.  Good for us Americans, not so good for Mexicans.  The average exchange rate today was $17.30 pesos to $1.00 USD.  Mexicans have to pay $18.00 Mexican Pesos to purchase one U.S. dollar.

My first stop was at Bodegas Aurrera were I bought a couple of items.  Two good buys were Nutrisse Hair Color for $28.50 (1.65 USD) and a special package of two Ponds press powder compacts for $28.00 ($1.62 USD).

My second stop was Soriana which is the grocery store most like we are used to in the United States. The lettuce was not as affordable as last time but it was still a respectable $11.90 (.69 USD).

I did find some pre-cooked beans they sell in a pouch. These are not the refried type but like they would be if you actually cooked them. Not knowing how they would taste, I only purchased one. Warmed it up when I got home and they tasted homemade.  At only $11.20 (.65 USD) I will definitely buy more in the future.

Those familiar with my blog know that I try to go to Mexico on Tuesdays, because most stores have specials on fruits and vegetables then. The store that has the best buys on these items, in my opinion is Gutierrez.

I purchased white onions, bananas, serrano peppers, tender cactus, cucumbers and tomatoes. The best buy was once again tomatoes at $5.90 a kilo (.34 USD).  I purchased 2.935 kilos, the equivalent of 6.457 lbs for $17.31 pesos ($1.00 USD).

You might be wondering why I purchased so many tomatoes?  With this darn high cholesterol, pre-diabetic diagnosis...and lest not forget that I am also lazy...it is much easier to prepare a salad than to cook something.

The return trip home was easy, only two cars in front of me and a young friendly lady customs agent.

Good night.  May you all have Terlingua Dreams.