Friday, January 15, 2021

Mexico Is Alive And Well

Here I am parked at this lovely RV park with lots of things to do.  They have pools, shuffle board ... if you're in to exercise, they've got it here.  I was rather surprised that they parked me next to neighbors ....... 

when the entire other side is completely empty.  Sadly, there are MANY empty lots.  This park in particular seems to house a lot of Canadians who of course are not here.  The good news is you are not required to wear a mask when swimming!  Actually you're not required to wear a mask here except in the check-in building, although I do occasionally see someone wearing one outside.


For those who were interested in Algodones for glasses, dentists or meds, the border IS open.  On this day it opened at 6 am.  We were walking across at about 7:55 and headed directly to the pharmacy which opened at 8:00.  Yes I messed up this image on purpose.  Although there are no signs at this location stating NO PICTURES, I know you are not supposed to take any in case it reveals something about their security. 

This pretty much shows what 8:00 looks like.  The pharmacy is just down the street.  In less than five minutes I had my order in my hot little hand.  In no time at all, as in less than 30 minutes, we were walking through the exit gate.  

They only let two at a time into the building, where you hand them your passport and stand on the yellow circle.  You take your mask off and they take your picture.  That was surprising ...  I'm not sure why ... maybe to throw me in jail later for having the nerve to cross the border.  They asked what I bought ... vanilla and meds.  She didn't even look in my bag, although they went through Cindy's bag with a fine tooth comb.

At any rate, we were allowed to pass on through and headed back to the car.  I breathed a big sigh of relief.  I don't know why, I would never do anything wrong, it just always makes me nervous.

Here's another tip ... they close the gate at 2:00 pm.  If you don't get out, you can ask where hotels are.  The pharmacy we shopped at actually had a hotel inside the building in case you get caught after hours.  Not sure I would want to do that, but it's an option.

The next stop was the Arizona Marketplace for fabric.  We arrived here just as they opened at 9:00, taking full advantage of it not being busy.   

When you shop with Cindy and Ray, you are privileged to enter the "back room" with even more bolts of fabulousness.  

This is part of the regular store ... just look at all that fabric!  I'm in heaven ... and this is just ONE rack.  The store is FULL of racks.  Too bad I forgot my patterns and only bought a little.  I plan to remedy that situation today.  

We didn't investigate any further, but did check out this ship in the desert.  This is not something you see every day.  

I was suitable impressed until I discovered it's made of poly-something or other and not wood.  No matter, it certainly is an eye catcher.

In to every life some rain must fall, and today is the day for me.  I walked into the living area at 4:15 am to discover I'm inundated with ants.  Are you kidding me?  I don't even have any food in the rig except what's in the fridge!!  

The first order of the day will be to MOVE to another site and buy a large bottle of ant spray.  The problem there is I have pets.  Hopefully moving will solve the situation.



22 comments:

  1. It is amazing how quick the ants can hit. Once in Alabama we stayed one night, had ants for a few days...be driving along and all the sudden you see one crawling down the window. I have had to put Amdro up on the roof a few times too...just toss a handful up there.

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  2. All familiar sights except that ship, have not seen that before! Good to see you got to Mexico, I was not sure if that was open.

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    1. It's definitely open, but traffic is about 1/4 of normal. Who knows where the ship came from. There was no indication of any kind.

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  3. Oh that fabric store!! Nice you were able to get over and back from Mexico so quickly. I'm sure they are missing the droves of people that usually visit every day. That ship is something else!

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    1. I imagine Algodones economy is in the toilet. Most people don't even know it's open. It's sad for them, like us.

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  4. Glad you safely made it to Mexico and back.
    Nice looking ship. Is it a playground for children or just a display?
    Looks like you went to Fabric Heaven.
    Ants have an uncanny sense of smell. If you had food in your RV a year ago they can smell it.
    Be Safe and Enjoy!

    It's about time.

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  5. Where is the ship located? In one of my Quartzite groups a woman stated her husband's dental work took longer than expected. They stayed at a hotel in Algodones. She said it was a good experience. I didn't even know Algodones had hotels. But I haven't been to Algodones since sometime in the 1990's. Good luck getting rid of the ants.

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    1. I didn't know they had hotels either. They certainly don't advertise them. You have to ask. The outsides seem to look terrible, but the inside of that pharmacy was spectacular. I imagine the hotels are the same.

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  6. Reading Daves comment above I can relate. FIRE ANTS here in Alabama. Does not take long to know you have stepped on a mound. We have two RV sites where we host BoondockersWelcome members. I keep a bag of ant mound killer next to the trash can. I tell our guests to help themselves should they see an active colony.

    When we RVed we were often in the Mercedes TX area. We would walk over the bridge into Progresso, Mexico where my dental work was done. I wear a partial upper plate. Well satisfied with both the cost and the work.

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    1. Fire ants .... YIKES!!! I got bit one time ... needless to say, he didn't live long. I know many people who go across the border for dental work. The difference in price is just crazy.

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  7. Nancy, thank you for the info about Alfadones. You are the best. Have fun while in Yuma.

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    1. You are very welcome Rita!! We need to get the word out that they are open ... just be back before 2:00.

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  8. That's great that Algodones is open! It would sure be the time to shop. I even think that 'having' to stay in a motel overnight would be a fun experience too. Once. haha
    Gosh, we miss going there and to the Arizona market. I hope the faux ship stays there for next winter. :)
    sorry about the ants, how infuriating!

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    1. You can probably get even more deals now. I felt bad not buying anything. If you go early, you have plenty of time to shop.

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  9. Ants! What a bummer. Probably healthy ones with all the activities at the resort. Even have an open swimming pool! 😀 Glad your trip to Mexico went well. I go by that exit everytime I go to Yuma but alas, no passport. 😞 Neat looking faux pirate ship.

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    1. Yup these ants are weight lifters! Very healthy but now dead ants!! You definitely need a passport if going to Mexico. I hear people say they only used their driver's license, but I wouldn't want to take a chance.

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  10. we had a bad ant problem until we were told about Terro ant killer can we found at walmart..it works

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    1. I'm buying some and keeping it in the rig. This is only the second time I've had trouble in nine years, but even once is too many times.

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  11. Thank you for sharing the information about Algodones. I am thinking it might be an adventure to spend the night there but not sure I want to experience it...☺
    It figures you would be in Yuma and we headed up to Quartzsite. Of course, if I was not always so far behind in my reading and blogging I would have known that. Enjoy your time visiting with friends and the warmth. Stay safe.

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    1. I think it might be fun to spend the night. No idea what it costs, I didn't ask. The nice gentleman said it was a VERY nice hotel if we wanted to stay. It's good to get the word out!!

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