March 18, 2023
The plan today is to head south and cross the border. Shortly after we arrived here in St. David, AZ, another couple came in to spend the winter. After talking with them for a while we found out they spent a week in Fort Welikit in Custer. They came to Game Night and we found some new friends. Their names are Jane and Dennis. We made plans to cross the border into Mexico. We had heard of a gentleman in Douglas, AZ that would do tours into Mexico. He was highly recommended. We called him to arrange a tour. His price was reasonable but because of his vehicle, he could not take 4 passengers. He did suggest a safe place to cross was Nogales. He also recommended that you stay in the “tourist” area. It encompasses about 2 or 3 blocks in and about the same from side to side also. That area is dependent on the “tourist trade” to stay in business. We felt comfortable so we decided to leave around 9:00 AM. We got to Nogales, AZ a little after 10:30 AM. We had been on the road about 10 minutes when Dennis and Jane had an epiphany, they forgot to pick up their passports. So we turned around to get them. We had no clue of what to do or where to go. We thought that there would be a large parking lot at the Port of Entry and we could just walk across. We drove around for a few minutes until we saw some workers renovating a building. We pulled into the parking lot and talked to them.
The workers were from Texas and weren’t sure about the local area. They did offer us to park there. They were going to be working until 5:00PM. As it was only around 11:00 AM and our plan was to spend just a few hours in Mexico, we thought it might be the best idea. Jane and Dennis handed Nancy some cash and she took it to the workers. They were hesitant to take the money but Nancy was finally able to give it to them. From here it was about a 10 minute walk to the crossing. On the way we had to take a one block detour to the McDonalds for a restroom break. We talked of getting some food but decided to get something once we crossed.
It was so easy to walk across the border. No ID checks, only saw one or two official looking people and we just walked on into Mexico. You go through a long tunnel with a few gates and turnstiles and upon exiting we were in Nogales, Sonora, Mexico. We were on cobblestone streets but it was limited to foot traffic. There were multiple shops on each side of the street and vendors in the middle. Each trying to sell their merchandise. The vast majority of shops were either dentists or pharmacies (farmacias). The merchants would approach and ask if you wanted whatever they were selling. We had been told that you never give handouts to anyone on the street as then everyone will prey on you. Jane and Nancy did go into one farmacia to check out the prices. Many people without insurance go into Mexico for their medications and/or dentistry. We walked a couple of blocks and saw a restaurant on the corner. We Googled it and it was rated very well. Time to eat.
We entered Leo’s Cafe and it was very clean and nice. We were seated and handed a menu. We looked at the menu at drinks and then I noticed a price, $65 next to a beer. When the waiter came over we asked him if this was pesos or American dollars. Fortunately it was pesos. I did not realize that they both used the same symbol. This particular day 1 peso equaled 0.053 American dollar. This put the cost of the beer around $3.50. Very reasonable. Jane and Dennis and Nancy each ordered a margarita and I had a Tecate, a Mexican beer. Nancy and I both ordered a Combinación Mexicana. That consisted of an enchilada, tostada, taco, tile relleno and beans (y frijoles). Everything was wonderful.
They brought us some chips and pico de gallo and some “spicy” salsa. Of course I had to try the salsa. It was good and had a little bit of bite to it but not bad at all. The pico was fresh and wonderful. And just before the food was brought out, they brought out a little tray with four shots of tequila, 4 small lime wedges. So we enjoyed a shot of tequila before we ate. It was very tasty. I have found a new libation!
After we ate we walked down the street. I had to go into a leather shop. They sold boots, hats, belts, etc. I believe it was called Cuevas. I loved the smell in there!! Nancy and Jane found a shop that had metal flower decorations displayed on the sidewalk. The shop also sold shawls and blankets, etc. While the ladies shopped and haggled over prices, Dennis and I found a bench to watch the people and traffic. A person approached us and was asking for a handout. We said no and basically ignored him. He went away. Dennis got up and walked across the street to peak into other shops. I sat there and a gentleman came up to me and started talking to me. I did not feel uncomfortable at all. We had a nice but brief conversation about Nogales. He asked me what I thought of his little town. The ladies had concluded their transactions. Nancy did not buy anything here. We decided that we had branched as far as we felt we should so we crossed the street and slowly headed back to the border crossing.
Along the way there were a few more shops to browse. Since SD, Nancy had wanted a metal lawn art piece. She saw some in Hill City, SD but the prices were very high. Here in Nogales, the prices were more reasonable. Nancy found a piece she liked. After haggling, she got the price down to $40. She called me in to the store as she needed a little more cash. As the piece was being wrapped the shop owner treated us to a shot of tequila. I like how they do business. Then Nancy went into another shop. I had mentioned that I was due for a new belt. She found one and called me into the shop for my size. I thought if the price were right, I’d get a brown and a black belt. The price started at $130 … $80….. $110…..$80…..$100….and $80 it was. He turned away and mumbled something Nancy didn’t understand :) He changed the buckles on both belts and moisturized them with oil. No tequila though. Nancy found a shop that had very colorful ceramic sinks They were very neat looking. I found a hat for her in the same shop. After Nancy bartered she wound up with the hat but not the sink. We had reached our spending limit. We continued to head toward the border. Nancy and Jane went into one last shop and wound up haggling over tumblers and Nancy got me a surprise! It turned out to be a metal stand that held 3 tequila shot glasses. Awesome.
We got to the crossing and finally found the back of the line. I think we waited in line about an hour to get back to the USA. While standing in line we saw cars that were being searched by the Federales. Interesting to watch. You could also see the wall that ran up the hill separating the two countries. Once we finally got to actual crossing, you approach the station. I handed them my passport card and they took my picture. He asked me why I was in Nogales today. I responded for lunch and shopping. Ok. All done. Dennis and Jane had crossed just ahead of me so we were just waiting for Nancy.
According to Nancy, she had a tougher time to get back home. “Where are you going?” um um um um “St. David” …”you don’t know where you live?” “I’m a tourist I’m just staying there!”……”And you came to Nogales?” “well it’s the closest crossing to where we’re staying”……”But Nogales?”….. “Have a good day”. We finally walked up the hill to our truck. We stopped for a potty stop and a drink at a fast food place in Nogales, AZ called Filbertos.
Earlier in the day Dennis complained about being short of breath but we kind of chocked it up to the hill climbing we did. As I was also breathing heavy. Once we crossed back into the States and started walking toward the truck, Dennis was again complaining about being short of breath. Nancy and I went to get the truck and Jane stayed with Dennis as we were going to pick them up. On the ride home Nancy quizzed Dennis and felt his pulse. She was not comfortable with just going home. She recommended that Dennis go to a hospital. As I’m driving and listening to this I kind of stepped on the right pedal a little heavier. Our route took us to a crossroad where Benson was a left turn and Sierra Vista was a right turn. Dennis and Jane decided that a left turn was necessary. We dropped Dennis and Jane off at the Benson Hospital. Later that evening Dennis was air lifted to Tucson to a larger hospital. He spent 5 days(?) in the hospital with the first 3 or so in ICU. He had multiple pulmonary emboli in his lungs. Nancy picked Jane up from the hospital and we waited each day for an update. Fortunately he is doing very well and they used a vacuum to remove the PE. All in all, today was a very interesting experience.
