So we left the hotel, gassed up and headed for the border crossing that opened at 8am. We got there just before it opened and not to many cars in line. It was single file to pay the bridge toll, then proceed to customs and immigration. I drove up and one agent asking something, told him that I was a resident and he waved me thru instead of having to go in the self declare area. Proceeded and 2 more agents stopped me and just wanted to look in the windows, then told me to park in the parking area and go inside for my stamp and TIP (temporary import permit) for the car. I went inside and the worker there was helping some Quebecers and came to help me with my tourist visa. I told him no, resident and he said come stand here, next to go in and get my stamp. Then to the next area for the TIP. Only 2 agents so it took a bit to get thru the other people in the line. With that in hand, I was good to go, or so I thought. I went back to the car and started putting things away, then took the dog for a quit walk. When I came back, I couldn't find my damn phone. I must have spent 45 minutes digging around in the Jeep, retracing my steps, back to the counter asking and nothing. I was pretty sure it was in the car as I heard it vibrate with a message while I was digging. Finally a Texan came out and asked if I had found it and then called me. Low and behold I found it behind the cooler. I was starting to have a minor meltdown not being able to find it.
So off I went, the first stretch was pretty boring. I was doing 120km but was getting passed like I was standing still. On this highway and many others it is also common practice to drive on the wide shoulders so that people can pass at anytime. The highway was a new bypass to get to the toll highway, it was fast relatively smooth and clear sailing.
I finally got on the toll highway and it was pretty good. I came to the first checkpoint and when he realized "no habla espanol" he just waved me thru pointing to a lane, so I followed it and then realized it was not the lane I should be in as it was only for transponders. Meanwhile I have a semi pushing me thru the toll, except there is a remote arm that lifts once the transponder is registered. Now I'm stuck between the truck and the arm. He starts honking, I don't know what to do but think there is enough room to squeeze around it so I do. Not positive but I think I heard an alarm but I had already pulled to the side with hazards on so the damn truck could leave. Then I see a guy come running, he stands in front of the truck, yelling at him, truck is honking at him, they are having it out and I'm just waiting patiently. Finally the guy lets the truck go and comes over to me. I explain what happened and that I have no problem paying, it was just a mix-up. So he took my money gave me my receipt and off I went. Now I knew stay clear of the right lane.
I went thru 4 check stops in total, each pulled me over, 2 just told me to go due to not speaking Spanish, the other 2 were good. The first joked around with where I came from and with Kahlua. Hey had a gator on his face so of course she started to growl at him. I told her to be a good girl and he said the same thing to her and she was. Hey let me go without any questions. The other one, I ended up with a guard on each side. The one on the passenger side was trying to get me to roll down the window, and I was trying to get hold of her first or she would have been in his face. When I told him where I was from he started making jokes about Columbia, I kept telling him no, Canada, British Columbia. He just laughed and then waved me on.
The scenery was incredible, great views all along the way. Well worth doing the drive to see the country instead of just flying in.
The motel that I chose is amazing. They are like rows of townhouses with garages for each room and lots of green space behind them. This was really nice for Kahlua, so she could finally run loose and burn off some energy with arriving early in the day. I think I strung her out after as she is having a meltdown now, after I came back from dinner. I bought her a hotdog from Oxxo and she ate that finally and brought her back some Filet Mignon from my dinner which she ate also. She has been eating as poorly as me since we have been on the road, so it was nice that she finally had something.
So tomorrow will be a short day, heading to see a friend who moved here 22 years ago and has made his life here. His wife and himself are going to take me on a tour the next day to a well known town that I look forward to seeing. Then come Sunday, I will pick up our friend from Progreso at the airport and he will be driving the rest of the way with me. So one more short journey on my own and then I will have company the rest of the way.
Thats all for the first day in Mexico. Time to lay down and have a rest.
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