robt65
May 2, 2011, 2:10 PM
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Re-visiting "If You Were Traveling This Week"
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Hi All.
Traveling Back Home to San Juan del Rio Saturday and Sunday May 1- 2011
I had so much going through my mind at the time. Because of what was going on, breaking my knee cap and two surgeries for cataract and detached retina, all I could see was my trip home getting delayed once again. As it turned out I was able to get help minding the dog until the day I left. The lady and her husband who had been taking care of "Mac" from the day I got him and training him for me for a month, brought him back the morning of my departure. They even helped me load the last few bags, coolers and ice into the Tahoe. A friend from our pueblo took a fourteen hour bus ride to meet me at the Anzalduas International Bridge, on the Mexican side (he has no visa) and we went from there.
Trip home was via the Anzalduas International Bridge, Cuota to Monterrey, near Saltillo and on to 57 Cuota to Matehuala and San Juan del Rio.
All in all, the pain was grueling but the trip was very good. There were maybe four or five families traveling into Mexico at 9:00 AM at customs and permit office, so getting everything through including the permit was a piece of cake and very fast. There was very light traffic on the whole trip. While we did see about seven very large Marine conveys headed North there was no cartel evidence.
There were a total of three checkpoints, which again were pretty quick, except for the last one. That checkpoint was on 57 Cuota on the loop around San Luis Potosi, and the check was pretty thorough. I kept my hospital report (translated in Spanish and English by the great nurse at the McAllen Regional Hospital Emergency Room for my wife) in my sun visor.
When I was asked to step out at the last checkpoint, both I and my friend told them this was very difficult for me to do, because of my broken knee cap. I then grabbed my medical report and handed it to the soldier. He read it and said no problem, remain where you are and asked my friend to open the trailer for him to examine. While they were doing an examination of the trailer (I always keep a full list in Spanish and English of the goods), another two soldiers came to the door and asked to check the Tahoe. I said not a problem, but please be careful of my security dog. As soon as they saw this big Chocolate Lab they said everything is OK and never did complete an inspection.
The biggest questions of the checkpoint was the amount (six months supply) of many different medicines (including some antibiotics and narcotics for pain), bandages and a case of sterile gauze 4X4’s, two boxes of rubber gloves, a case of 4 inch and 6 inch elastic bandages, blood pressure machine etc. When they saw the dog they passed on inspecting the Tahoe. We talked military stuff and I thanked them for their considerations and service. We were on our way. I also keep an up to date list of all prescriptions which I gave to them to see. In all the years of traveling by car with the same loads of medicines and medical supplies, this was the first time I was ever asked to see the meds and supplies. I always repack all medical supplies and meds in three very large clear plastic storage containers so they can be seen during inspections.
We over nighted at the Oasis Hotel in Matehuala, not the most modern or well maintained hotel, but clean an with air and hot water on demand; but the price of $450 MX Pesos for the two bedded room per night can’t be beat. There is absolutely no traffic noise and plenty of room to park even my large 32 foot travel trailer and truck when I used that rig last time. This time I only had the 16 foot cargo trailer and Tahoe and it is great to be able to loop around and be ready for exit in the morning. All this and no extra charge for the Lab we had with us.
We accidently found a really great restaurant to eat at across the street from the Las Palmas. What a treat. That restaurant turned out to be the very best restaurant I have ever eaten at in México. The menu was excellent with many choices, the cleanliness and service was above reproach, the quality of food can not be beat and the prices were very economical. If you ever go through Matehuala do not mis this treat. I took many photos of the place and plan to write a full report about the place soon for MexConnect. We even went back in the morning for breakfast and the consistency was apparent in all categories. I hope to have the time to write a short review of this “La Noria” restaurant across the street from the Las Palmas Hotel in the next few days. Very unassuming building frontage but do not let this fool you. Hands down the very best restaurant I have eaten at in Mexico in years. Our three course meal at night including never ending natural orange juice was $328 Pesos and worth every peso, many times over!
We left Matehuala at about 10:00 AM and arrived home at San Juan del Rio at around 4:00 PM. Taking the new Lab with us was never a problem. We were never asked for papers at the border or any checkpoint along the way and the dog was a joy to take. He is a great traveler. I personally like staying at the Oasis Hotel in Matehuala. It is an older hotel a little run down but very nice people and very clean. It is off the highway and no noise at all from big trucks or the adjoining casino. The TV’s are older and maybe a light or two do not work but it is clean and comfortable. Our cost for two adults was $450 MX pesos for the night. Then we were returned $100 pesos by the manager as there was a break in the hot water line. The air conditioning worked fine (maybe a little loud) but went to sleep immediately and well rested in the morning. I hate paying big buck for a hotel just to close my eyes and not see anything anyway. (smiling) This is not a hotel you would want to stay at for a few days or more, but it also has a large and clean outdoors swimming pool.
We were so happy with the food and service at the “La Noria” restaurant the night before, we decided to go there for breakfast and not disappointed, again totally great service and great food. Our breakfast cost was about $250 Pesos including a 15% tip and again worth every peso.
It is so good to be back home. My friend had his brother waiting at the house in San Juan del Rio and between my friend, his brother, Jimena and mother-in–law, father-in-law and 8 year old Sofia the trailer was unloaded and all goods put away in about 2.5 hours time. The trailer parked and disconnected from the Tahoe.
Jimena and Angela (mother-in-law) had food and cold drinks waiting to be consumed. We all ate and drank our fill, took the guys home, paid one short visit to my other friend who set everything up on this side and went home for a good night’s sleep.
Angi (our baby of 13 months old now) is a pistol! She is walking and taking (in two languages, I might add) and ran to meet me. I was afraid with four months away, she might forget me and be a little “strange” towards me. Well that did not happen. What a blessing I have in a great family.
The trip was completely uneventful and no problems at all traveling.
Robt65
(This post was edited by robt65 on May 3, 2011, 8:53 PM)
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