January 2020 trip to Ciudad Acuña, Coahuila - México

I needed to make a trip to Ciudad Acuña but if you have been reading me for a while you know that the lines at the International bridges all over the United States/Mexico border grow significantly from November until January 6th.

Today was January 7th so I did not want to put it off any longer.  I believe I have mentioned that my uncle sends me letters and packages to a friend we have in common in Ciudad Acuña so he won't have to pay "international" charges :)

Went to deliver a present from both of us and had a nice visit.  Mexico implemented a new measure that took effect at the beginning of 2020...they have banned the use of all plastic bags...so if you are planning on a shopping trip to Mexico you better bring your own.

There is a channel on Mexican television that allows you to see a live feed of the International Bridge of the traffic going to the US.  When I crossed this afternoon the line was long and when my friend turned on that channel it was even longer so decided to return via the Amistad Dam Port of Entry.

I was not planning on stopping at a store but remembered I needed Nutrisse hair color and some Decaffeinated coffee.  I stopped at Bodegas Aurrera but they had no carts or I would have bought other items.

For some reason, stores seem to hide some of their merchandise at the beginning of the calendar year so they can raise the prices later on. I was not able to find my hot sauce or Nescafe Decaf had to buy a lesser-known brand.

Since I was crossing at the Amistad Dam Port of Entry went looking for my Kahlua and I will be darn if once again they did not have it!  I guess the Kahlua Gods do not want me to have any :-(

There is a shop within Bodegas Aurrera that fixes cellphones so took mine there and the young lady fixed it in no time flat. She did not want to charge me but I insisted so she said $10.00 pesos so I gave her $20.00 that is the equivalent of a little over a dollar.  I do not recall what the Exchange Rate was today since the phone was not working when I passed Exchange Rate Alley and you know how bad my memory is!

With a working phone and their free internet, I checked the Border Wait Times app.  The wait was 60 minutes...from prior experience that means closer to 90 minutes.  From Bodegas Aurrera it is 15 to 18 minutes to downtown and just about the same to Amistad Dam.

This time I stopped at the Mexican Customs side and took a couple of pictures so you could get a different view from high up top.

Their electric plant

Mexican Customs

Looking to the Mexican side of the lake.

This is looking towards the United States part of the lake.

In the background, you can barely make out our port of entry. You can click on the photo to enlarge it.

This road leads back to Ciudad Acuña. If you are new to my blog there are no tolls charged if you use this Port of Entry.

I had a fourteen-minute wait to cross back to the USA because only one line was open. The Customs officer manning this line was polite and quite attractive :)

It was a beautiful sunny day with a low of 43 and a high of 69 degrees.


Good night.  May you all have Terlingua Dreams.

November 2019 trip to Ciudad Acuña, Coahuila - México

The arctic blast that engulfed a large part of the country finally lessened its grip on this part of West Texas. Mind you it was still cold this Friday, I wore a sweater, a jacket, and a coat.  However, I could not put it off much longer as I needed to get my lab work done so I can take them to the doctor.

I forced myself to go to bed early on Thursday but for some reason that is all too common...whenever I have to go somewhere important...I oversleep or do not want to get out of bed.  This morning I remembered that I had my sleeping bag and clothes in the trunk that I need to take to the laundromat whenever I pass by and see a few people...so of course those had to be removed before crossing the border.

To make a long story short I did not leave the house until 9:00 a.m.  I apologize for this blurred picture...I hope to purchase a pocket camera soon...I was so surprised to see that they have not finished demolishing the old toll booths.

As I got closer to the official USA/Mexico line of the International Bridge the line into Mexico slowed downed.

The concrete blocks and barb wire were there last time but not with the barbed wire mounted on them.

Most of the International Bridge is on American soil.  The line painted yellow and with a roof to keep the pedestrians dry is on the Mexican side of the bridge.

I made this short video as across from the picture up top US Customs was stopping some cars mostly cab drivers and while others with US plates totally ignored them...guess it is not important for the American drivers as they still have to show their US passports at the main station.

Finally, I was able to take a picture of the Bienvenidos a México banner.

The last time I was here they were building more booths and that project has been completed but today they only had one lane open.

By that time there were a lot of people at the lab I figured I would have a long wait but they told me they would be ready by noon.

It is difficult finding a parking space in that area because it is next to a private hospital and also a large medical practice.  So I left my car parked there and walked instead to run several of my errands.

I am still having problems with my cellphone ringing to let me know I have a message when I do not and when I do not even have cellphone coverage in Mexico.  So I just turned it off and left it in the car.

I wish I hadn't because there were many photo ops along the way.  I have mentioned my beloved uncle that lives in Mexico City many times.  He is what you would call "thrifty"  he sends letters and small packages to the home of a dear friend in Acuña to avoid international rates...not a criticism...love you Tío :)

I sat in the town square otherwise known as a Plaza and read his letter.  I do not know why so many people that I know and love are having medical issues,  so many have passed away this year.  I was headed back to my car when I passed the main church.  No one that knows me would describe me as "religious"...but for some unexpected reason, I felt compelled to go into that church.

I always stop and talk to my favorite Exchange Rate vendor.  I had noticed as I walked down Exchange Rate Alley that there were signs on many establishments saying they were out of dollars.  He told me that it always happens just before Thanksgiving, Black Friday and Christmas.

While they will sell you dollars in small quantities they cut it off at the $200.00 dollar level or at least he does.  Not a problem, I am not looking to buy dollars but to sell them but I will wait until the dollar ratio is $20.00 Mexican Pesos to one US dollar.

I had not planned on stopping at any grocery stores but got lost due to several detours as they were fixing water or sewer lines and I ended up by Gutierrez.  I needed serranos but ended up buying jalapeños, carrots, calabacitas, cilantro, canned beans, tetra cartons of milk, hot sauce, toilet paper, Clorox, deodorant, and lotion.

Gutierrez is a large store and just like Bodegas Aurrera the last time I was here...there was not a single bottle of Kahlua to be had!  This time I was even willing to pay the $3.75 US liquor tax as I did not feel like driving to the Amistad Dam International crossing.

The line was long and slow.  Stopped and took pictures which made others do the same!

Long line to reach US Customs

Me

Looking back to the end of the line

Here is a better picture of the toll booths that have not been demolished yet.

Just my luck I ended up in the slowest line as there were only three open.

Several cars were switching lanes because of it.  I just knew it had to be a female agent probably the one I went to high school with that hates me.  I was wrong it was an elderly male agent. He looked at my passport then at me several times asked me for another ID...I have never in my life been asked for additional identification. 

I said "You are kidding right?"  he did not reply so I gave him my Texas driver's license.  He kept on looking at it and the passport photo then at me.  He said they don't look like you...I told him "it's called AGING, I am NOT going to look like I did eight years ago"!

He gave me both back and said "have a nice day"...guess he figured he had riled me up enough and did not ask me what I had to declare.

Good night.  May you all have Terlingua Dreams.

A day off

Yesterday I got an early start to beat the heat and went by the post office to pick up our mail.  I am waiting on some correspondence but mail is not finished being sorted until 11:00 a.m. and I was not going to stick around till then.

Saturdays are usually very busy in Del Rio as people from Ciudad Acuña, Coahuila come to shop and contribute to our economy.  Gasoline has gone down to $2.319 per gallon for unleaded regular or $2.289 if you have a Stripes credit card.

Considered filling up but our Mexican friends beat me to it since our gasoline is much cheaper and better quality than theirs.  Not my statement but El Zocalo their award-winning Ciudad Acuña newspaper.  As you know this girl avoids lines at all cost, I already paid my dues when I lived in Houston, Texas.

This morning after my walk headed back to the post office but alas no mail so I was glad I did not wait yesterday for something that never came.

Today took a much needed day off.  Caught up with my e-mails so if you sent me one I finally answered yours today.  Talked to my friends and commiserated about this awful heat.

Our high today was 105 with a low of 78 and a heat index level of 107 degrees.

I forgot to mention this the other day when they celebrated the birthday of the creator of Nachos.  Do you know he was born in Ciudad Acuña, Coahuila?  I had no idea and that he invented them when he worked at a restaurant in Piedras Negras, Coahuila across the border from Eagle Pass, Texas.  It is seldom that this area has any sort of claim to fame so glad to highlight it.

So many varieties

Nachos Supreme...

A short biography of Ignacio (Nacho) Anaya the creator of this snack.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nachos

Hope you had a great day and that you too got to take a day off.

Good night.  May you all have Terlingua Dreams.

May 2018 trip to Ciudad Acuña, Coahuila - México

Tuesday I finally made my way to Ciudad Acuña to get my labs done.  I got a late start so the wait for the results was four hours versus the three it usually takes.  I am not complaining as the same tests at Val Verde Regional Medical Center (our local hospital) are over a thousand dollars while in Mexico I paid $1,145.00 Mexican Pesos at an exchange rate of $17.00 pesos for a grand total of $67.35 US dollars.

I had a lot of errands to run so the time flew by. Unfortunately or fortunately depending on your vantage point Ciudad Acuña is experiencing vast growth much like Del Rio. Neither can continue to be categorized as "sleepy border towns".

The parking is a nightmare but at least they did away with parking meters to encourage tourism so the population is no longer subjected to fines...of which I  have been at the receiving end of a couple.  I found an out of the way parking spot and made my way around town on foot.

With the expansion of Ciudad Acuña to the northern part of the city, they moved the Palacio Presidencial (Presidential Palace) out of the downtown district several years ago.  I have featured its modern design on various blog posts in the past.

The former location by the old town square started undergoing a renovation recently. As I walked around I noticed that it was a smaller version of the current Presidental Palace.

There were vendors set up all around the square but I did not get a chance to check them out.  I am looking for a new cowboy hat as my old Terlingua one has pretty much bit the dust.

Finally was able to cash in on Tuesday specials of Martes de Cosecha (Harvest Tuesday) at Gutierrez. Even though most people go early there were still crowds in the afternoon with long lines to check out.  Customers were buying cartons of tomatoes, onions, and other produce which leads me to believe that they probably have a small restaurant or taco stand.

The line back home was long, compounded by the fact that they only had two lanes open...the fast lane with nothing to declare...and a regular one.  They finally opened an additional one when I was about to reach customs and quickly switched lanes.

I took some pictures but unfortunately, I can not post them on this computer. I will have to try to do it from my old laptop.  Where is my tall weathered cowboy who is computer savvy?  :-(

A look at the line behind me. No wonder they opened up
an additional lane!

Forgot to mention that effective this month the toll rate went up to $4.00 to cross from Del Rio into Ciudad Acuña. That rate is set by the Del Rio City Council. The toll to cross from Ciudad Acuña to Del Rio remains the same $28.00 Mexican Pesos depending on the daily exchange rate about $1.65 USD.

Good night.  May you all have Terlingua Dreams.

December 2017 trip to Ciudad Acuña, Coahuila - Mexico

My uncle had sent us a package after we got back from Houston but it did not arrive in Ciudad Acuña until after my mother's fall. We finally had a chance to go pick it up yesterday.

There was very little traffic going to Ciudad Acuña, Coahuila but OMG the traffic heading back to Del Rio was backed up past the toll booths in Mexico!  Maybe December 26th was not the best day to head there but it is only going to get worst in the following days as more people who headed to Mexico for the holidays make their way back home.

I was hoping the line would go down but there is a cable channel on Mexican television that lets you look at the cameras at the international bridge and gauge the traffic flow.  It was evident the line was only getting worst.

I did make a stop at Aurrera but at the small one in the central part of Ciudad Acuña. The price of tomatoes remains high so the only vegetables I bought were papaya and a hand full of serranos. The high peso to dollar ratio is really affecting the pockets of the regular Mexican citizen. One has to take into account that the minimum wage in Mexico depending on the exchange rate fluctuates between $4.00 and $4.25 US dollars.  In Mexico, the minimum wage is not per hour but per day.

As expected when we arrived at the Mexican toll booths they were backed up. Some people were turning around but we had no other choice but to proceed.  It took us 2 hours 11 minutes to cross to the USA. You know how I feel about waiting in lines.

It pisses me off that we have two international bridges in Del Rio but the one at Amistad Dam closes at 5:00 p.m.  I think during high congestion holidays like Christmas, New Year's and Easter they should be open at least till 10:00 p.m.  However, I do not think the Department of Homeland Security is interested in my opinion.

I need to mention that there is one special lane called Express Lane (or something to that effect) this is for people who do not have anything to declare. They usually only have one lane open but today they had two. By the time I realized it, they was no way anybody was going to let me cut into the other lanes. I apologized to the officer whom I have to say was very understanding and kind.

We got back just in time because it started drizzling as soon as we cleared US Customs. Today was a cloudy, cold and wintery day. I am glad we went to Mexico yesterday as I do not think I would have wanted to go today.

Good night.  May you all have Terlingua Dreams.

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.

March 2015 trip to Ciudad Acuña, Coahuila, Mexico - Part I

Tuesday, March 3rd I finally ventured back across the border to Mexico.  The last time I was there was this past September when I went to stock up for my trip to the chili cook-off in Terlingua. When I got back in November I was trying to recoup as well as catch up on everything that went by the wayside while planning said trip.

Folks if you are considering a trip to Mexico, do not plan it during Thanksgiving, Christmas or the first couple of days in January.  On January 6th, Mexico celebrates "Los Reyes Magos"...the Three Wise Men, who are the equivalent of our Santa Clause.  Unless you relish sitting in traffic for over an hour (usually more) on both sides of the International bridge...make it on another date,

My first stop was with mother's dentist. With her catching the flu from me, we have had to cancel several doctor's appointments...this one is pressing as she has been off Plavix for a while in anticipation of an extraction.

Then a quick check down Exchange Rate Alley to see the dollar buy/sell rates which are always better than the official rates at the banks. I was not looking to buy or sell dollars on this day, just wanted to get an idea of the going rates.

If you like Mexican candy this store that will more than satisfy your sweet tooth and at a great price. I do not have a sweet tooth but I was waiting for the light and took the photo op.

Gutierrez was my main destination as they have all sorts of Cuaresma (Lent) specials at this time of the year.  They also have the best prices on Tuesday's in what is known in many Mexican stores nation wide as Tuesday of Fruits and Vegetables.

You can not bring across many fruits so I just bought bananas.  However, I bought a lot of vegetables at absolute bargain store prices.  My stash included three kinds of onion, broccoli, cabbage, chayote, serranos, nopales (cactus), cilantro, squash, tomato, and carrots.

Then I headed to Bodegas Aurrera which is owned by Walmart.  Do not bother to buy fruits or vegetables here as they do not have a good selection and their prices are way too high for those items. However, they have good prices on other things like bread, tortillas,cookies, jello, dairy (milk and yogurt), soft drinks, pasta, dish washing liquid, toilet paper and soap.  If you like liquor this is the place to buy it...much cheaper than the liquor stores that cater to tourists.  They also have colorful carts.

This store is located inside Plaza Bella.

I am not really into movies but next time I will check out their prices and see how they compare to US prices.  Of course you will have to tell me how much it costs to go to the movies these days. You can catch 50 Shades of Gray in Spanish :)

I began this post at 11:35 p.m. last night and it is now a little past 4:15 a.m.  Computer problems have plagued me...so what else is new?  Will write a part II or III depending on circumstances :-(

Good night.  May you all have Terlingua Dreams.

July 2014 trip to Ciudad Acuna, Coahuila, Mexico

It seems like it has been ages since I have been to Ciudad Acuna.  My last trip was in March to see the doctor. Mother has been wanting me to take her to the beauty shop but between doctors appointments and out-of-town trips, it had not been possible until today.

We took off around 11:00 a.m. and while there was not a line going into Mexico...there was already a long line to cross to the United States.

Surprisingly we did not have to wait long at the beauty shop either. She was just finishing up with a client and had another who was having highlights done and was sitting waiting for it to develop? Have no idea if that is the proper term.

If you are a gentlemen and prefer to go to a barber shop they have those too.  For $35.00 pesos the equivalent of (35.00 divided by 12.52)...$2.80 US dollars you can get a haircut.

Most groceries stores have what has come to be called "Martes de Frutas y Verduras"  which translates to Tuesday of Fruits and Vegetables...we decided to go to Gutierrez and check out their specials.

With my CRS, I completely forgot that I did not have enough Mexican Pesos on me after paying the stylist.  The last time I was here, I used most of the Mexican currency I had buying my medications. Noticed that another Exchange House had joined the ranks. The window indicates that they buy your dollar for $12.52 and sell you dollars for $12.68 Mexican Pesos.

I guess I could of paid with US dollars but I do not like to do that.  Therefore we only bought a few items such as:  tomatoes, lettuce, onions, serranos, nopalitos (cactus), carrots, bananas, bolillos and sweet bread.

This man's little stand caught my attention or rather his shade set-up.  I would like to buy a canopy for my trip to Terlingua but I am not sure I would have room for it in my already cramped vehicle. Provided there was no wind, I could probably get by with this.

We had a twenty-five minute wait to cross back home and even in an air conditioned car it was pretty hot today.

That is why I felt sorry for these two dogs in the back of this pick-up.  Their owner had the air on but as soon as she got close to the inspection booth she cut it off and opened her windows.

I was under the impression that dogs or for that matter any animal...had to be restrained but apparently not as she crossed with no problems.

We came home, ate and I went and took a three hour nap.  I am still sleepy and hopefully can get a good night's rest.

Good night.  May you all have Terlingua Dreams.

Torrential Downpours

Photos courtesy of El Zocalo - Ciudad Acuna, Coahuila

We wanted rain and boy did we get some!  It began after midnight and it went on for hours.  I went to check the kitchen where we have had problems in the past, that were fixed a couple of years back. Glad I did because the top portion of the window was leaking and I caught it just in time.

Went to check the fireplace and more leaks!  However, I always keep a bucket in there just in case. I was glad my mother was sound asleep.  That is until the second round of storms when thunder and lighting woke her up.  Per the weather channel we got from 3.96 to 7.96 inches depending on where you live in Val Verde County.

Since I do not buy the local newspaper and their e-edition in practically worthless I have no idea how Del Rio fared.  However, Ciudad Acuna, Coahuila has an excellent newspaper El Zocalo with an equally good webpage. http://www.zocalo.com.mx/seccion/articulo/pierden-todo-cientos-de-familias-1403333432

There I learned that one person drowned, 500 people had to be evacuated at the height of the storm to shelters and many more were rescued from atop their roofs this morning. Actually, many cities in the state of Coahuila flooded due to this weather system.

I cross this road on the way to Bodegas Aurrera (grocery story owned by Walmart) over Las Vacas creek which rarely has any water but now resembles a river.

Hope everyone got a good dose of liquid gold and that you were not adversely affected.

Good night.  May you all have Terlingua Dreams.