Grocery run

I was hesitant to go to HEB this afternoon but I ran out of my high blood pressure medication on Tuesday as well as batteries to power my high blood pressure monitor.  I knew I could not postpone it for another day...as starting tomorrow until Thanksgiving...the crowds only become more massive with each passing day.

Last week before I threw my back out I had gone grocery shopping but did not buy fruits, vegetables or paper goods because I was going to take Paquito (my cat) to Ciudad Acuña to be neutered. Obviously, that did not happen thus was not able to make a grocery run while there. So like it or not I also paid a visit to Walmart as I have NO intention of setting foot in another store until after Thanksgiving.

Decided to treat myself and purchased a bottle of wine as well as some Egg Nog...which I will spike with Kahlua...that I bought on my last trip to Mexico.

Good night.  May you all have Terlingua Dreams.

Do I have a Betty Boop fetish?

In preparation of my cousin's arrival we decided to go grocery shopping in Ciudad Acuna, Coahuila, Mexico. For those new to my blog it is across the border from Del Rio, Texas where my mother lives.

Wanted to buy some pesos as it is preferable to pay in their currency versus US dollars as each store has a different exchange rate. Cruised down Avenida Madero where a vast majority of the exchange houses are located and where you will find more favorable rates than at the banks.

There are several grocery stores we frequent but today we only went to Aurrera (owned by Wal-Mart) as it was rather chilly.  The store was jammed packed but it was to be expected. Once again my mother bought out their fruit and vegetable section while also making a dent in the cookies and sweet bread department :D

Aurrera is located inside a mall. There is this little kiosk that sells the cutest Betty Boop purses. Maybe Santa will bring me one this year?

There is a beauty shop that I have always wanted to take a picture of but for some reason or another never had a chance to do so until today.

Crossing the international bridge into Mexico was not bad but the line going back to the USA was long, so we decided to cross back at the Amistad Port of Entry.  While it is about a 20 mile round trip, it is well worth it plus they do not charge a toll like they do at the main bridge.

The new crossing facility was not opened until recently due to construction delays and this was our first time crossing it. Wanted to take a picture but since it was only the car in front and us, decided not to as depending on the agent they sometimes tend to get upset if you photograph them or the facilities.

My cousin arrived last night (Friday) and today (Saturday) asked me to drive him to Wal-Mart as he forgot some things.  Asked him if he thought I was crazy?  There was no way in heaven or earth that I was going to go during the day or afternoon for that matter.  We went at 10:00 p.m. and it was tolerable except for the long lines to check out.  I really felt sorry for the poor cashiers...my respects to them for having such a thankless job!

Good night. May you all have Terlingua Dreams.

Trip to Ciudad Acuna

Took my mother to her beauty shop appointment and the subject of conversation is still the murder of that young man Eduardo Moreira that took place two weeks ago.  Her hairdresser said that since then her clients from Del Rio have not been back and was surprised but glad that we ventured to her shop.

We went to visit an old friend of the family that owns a photography studio and whose wife has been ill.  He said “you two are the only American tourists in town today”.  He noted that since the senseless murder his Texas clients have been non-existent.  It is a shame what the drug cartels and corrupt police have done to such a beautiful country and its people.

Stopped at Gutierrez (grocery store) and bought a couple of items but there were no to die for bargains this time.  Stocked up on tomato, onions, cilantro, squash, cauliflower, serranos, cabbage, bananas, mole, bottled hot sauce, rice, sopitas, yogurt and for my trip to South Brewster County the milk that does not require refrigeration until it is opened and lasts three months Nutri Leche.

Good night.  May you all have Terlingua Dreams.

Trip to Mexico

It has been a while since our last trip to Mexico.  I avoid going the last week of November, all of December and the first six days in January.  It is at these times when more people cross at both sides of the border and the traffic congestions can easily rival Houston rush hour traffic.

With the above exceptions we tend to go every month or so.  From my mother’s house going to Mexico is closer than going to Lake Amistad.  For those not familiar with Texas, Del Rio is a border town across from Ciudad Acuna, Coahuila, Mexico.

Many people cross the border to buy groceries, medication, liquor, and cigarettes.  Others visit the hairdresser, barbershops, dentist, optometrist or doctor since these products and services are much cheaper in Mexico.  The peso has not been doing well against the dollar so your US buck goes a lot farther at this time.  Thursday the exchange rate was 13.05 Mexican Pesos to sell dollars and 13.55 Mexican Pesos to buy dollars.

This particular day (Thursday) we went to buy groceries.  By groceries I mean fruits, vegetables, pasta, fresh fish, meat, beans, lentils, rice, candy, cookies and my mom’s favorite freshly baked sweet bread.

  

Ciudad Acuna better known as Acuna has a population of about 135,000 and is one of the few remaining “safe” borders along the Rio Grande.  It cost $3.00 USD to cross to Mexico and $25.00 Mexican Pesos to cross back to the USA.

The toll booths to cross into Mexico.  Notice black wrought iron fence, that is part of the Border Fence, will do a future post on it.

View after paying your toll.

About to enter Mexico

Main street after passing Mexican customs

Main street, there are a lot of bars and curio shops but this is around their siesta time so not much movement.

There are four major grocery stores Gutierrez, Merco, Soriana and newcomer Bodegas Aurrera (owned by Walmart).  Depending on what’s on sale we might hit all four of them but on this day we only went to Bodegas Aurrera and Merco.  I swung by Soriana to take a picture and also to check out the dollar exchange rates.  There is an exchange house adjacent to it that has the best rates that we have found so far while still being in a safe location.

We had no problems crossing back, only had to open my trunk after I declared all that I brought back and he simply looked in my cooler and send us on our way.