OMG......this day began with dark clouds hanging low over the RGV....and it remained that way all day. The temps never went above the 50's and with the drizzles.....it was not very pleasant around here. And when I had to return to my jeans with long pants, you KNOW that it was cold!!! After the past two and a half months down here, I believe I can count the number of days I have had to drag out my jeans and cover my ugly, skinny legs to stay warm.
After dragging out bodies out of the warm king-sized bed, the 1st Lady and I got ready to go out for breakfast......a great way to start this rather ugly day. Doug and Diane picked us up right on time....8:30AM......and it was a long drive for them as they have their motorcoach across the street from us! HAHA! We drove into Mercedes to go to Mingo's Restaurant....and, as usual, it was really, really busy with others who wanted to partake of their good breakfast deals. Huevo Ranchero was the breakfast of choice at our table, except for the 1st Lady.......and we were soon enjoying the hot and spicy morning meals. The conversation was non-stop at our table......and all too soon, it was time to leave to return to the resort so the 1st Lady and I could pick up our passports which we had left in our truck.
That being done.....we were off to the south and in a few short minutes, we were approaching the border. The parking lots were NOT full today........again, I'm certain that the weather was keeping many of the senior Winter Texans in their RV's today. There did happen to be quite a few......a few hundred.....families and young adults who were most likely spring breakers. Even though it is an hour from here to S. Padre Island where the spring fling students are located, the border is not really safe south of there at Matamoros.......a different issue than here at Nuevo Progreso.
A few minutes after parking, we had paid our $.25 to cross the bridge and were walking down the sidewalk in Nuevo Progreso, Mexico.........with all of the many other Americans who were there. A friend of mine in F'town expressed his concern this morning in a "comment" from yesterday's post that he was concerned about the safety of going over into Mexico....with all of the media discussing the drug cartel problems there. OK......yes, at any time there could be a problem in N. Progreso, but the Mexican Army is stationed around the perimeter of the town of Nuevo Progreso, as well as at the bridge entrance to the states.......but, this town is the one border town that just really caters to the Winter Texans/senior citizens. It MUST have our dollars to make it economically....and it does quite well with all of the money we spend there.
The people are soooooooooo welcoming, soooooooo friendly, sooooooo cordial to all of us......we feel soooo welcome there that we think nothing of going over there. Certainly somthing unexpected could occur at any time, but no more so than if we/you wandered into the wrong areas of a large city that you would normally not go into. We have been in Nuevo Progreso at least once each week since we arrived on January 2nd......and we will return in the next few days again. I feel no more at risk there than I did while traveling in Egypt and in Jordan a little over a year ago..........and in Mexico along the border, any problems seem to be between the policia/Army and the members of the drug cartel.......not with any Americans. Going to the resort areas of Mexico, going on tours, traveling south from here after the first 100 miles.......it seems to be perfectly fine. You just have to stay within the areas that you can visually see that are safe looking......just as in St Louis, Chicago, or any other large city of the world, such as Cairo, Paris, Athens, Rome, London, Amman, Bangkok, Sydney, Seoul, and many, many more......all the cities that I have visited around the world. I will not bury my head in the sand and not enjoy Life in these incredible places!!!!!!!
Sooooo, we shopped and shopped and shopped.....and for the first time since we arrived it drizzled ALL of the time we were there.......something totally unusual!!!! It was great fun........the 1st Lady and Diane enjoyed trying on clothing items, looking at the literally thousands of pieces of silver jewelry set with turquoise and other semi-precious stone, very colorful and beautiful pottery and glazed dishes, etc., etc. and examing the many things that we do not have a few blocks and a bridge away in the states. We make a few purchases......and then began to feel the need for some nourishment........
And so, we went to Elsa's Restaurant and Bar.......and seated ourselves in the Bar where there was music being performed live.......and soon, the Margaritas were on the table.....at the unbelievable price of $1.25 each......YES....that IS the correct price: one dollar and 25 cents!!!!!!
THAT is less than a cup of coffee!!!!!! WOW......and then our food came and it was DELICIOUS!!!! The 1st Lady and I ordered the Three Taco plate, which came with refried beans and rice(the standard accompaniments). I ordered the tortillas soft and not fried....and OMG, they were sooooooo great!!!! All of our food was soooo tasty and fresh......and the Margaritas just kept coming to the table as if they had legs!!!!
Before long, we began to enjoy the dance floor, the live music, and, the Margaritas made sure that our feet barely touched the dance floor......hahahaa!!! What more can I say than: WE HAD ONE HELL OF A GREAT TIME!!!!!!! And.....I had waaaaayyyyyy tooooooo many Margaritas....heehee!!!! We were there for awhile......and by the time we left, I wasn't certain I could get my sagging hulk, which was now just a bit tipsy, back to the border, across the bridge, and through the passport control area!!! Ahhhhhh,.......such great fun.......sooo many laughs......a wonderful afternoon!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
We shopped just a bit more.....and then headed back to the states.....and the border patrol/passport control officials didn't keep me in that wonderful country of Mexico, even in that tipsy state that I seemed to be in......and soon we were back in the resort, tucked away all safe and comfy in our homes-on-wheels!!!!! OMG......once again, it is not possible to put into words the great fun we had...just the four of us and a few other restaurant patrons this afternoon. My sides were hurting from the laughing that occurred during those few hours..........what a day, what a day!!!!!
Obviously, you know that I am going to say about the same thing about today......because as usual, as always.........
LIFE IS JUST REALLY INCREDIBLY GREAT!!!!!!.....And, I hope it is for all of you, also!!!!!
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