LOS ALGODONES, MEXICO

WE FINALLY MADE THE TRIP TO ALGODONES, MEXICO FOR SOME SHOPPING.  WE DROVE DOWN THE CALIFORNIA SIDE OF THE COLORADO RIVER AND BACK ON THE ARIZONA SIDE.  IT MADE FOR AN EXCELLENT ROADTRIP.

YOU PARK YOUR CAR ON THE USA SIDE OF THE BORDER IN A PARKING LOT OWNED BY THE LOCAL INDIAN TRIBE FOR $5.  THEN YOU WALK ACROSS THE BORDER INTO MEXICO.

MARY WAS READING THE MANY SIGNS POSTED BY THE US GOVERMENT, ONE OF WHICH, SAID NO PHOTOGRAPHY IN THE BORDER CROSSING AREA.  SO THIS MAYBE ONE OF THE FEW PHOTOS OF THE CROSSING.  I WAS NOT ARRESTED BY HOMELAND SECURITY.

THE REASONS YOU VISIT THIS QUAINT LITTLE BORDER TOWN IS SHOPPING, DENTAL WORK, EYEGLASSES, BOOZE, DRUGS,AND CIGARETTES, ALL AT GREATLY REDUCED PRICES.

I WAS INTERESTED IN PERSCRIPTION SUN GLASSES. IN TWO HOURS I HAD THEM ON MY HEAD. POLARIZED, BI-FOCAL, AND NICE AND DARK, $160.

MARY WAS DRUG SHOPPING.  YOU CAN BUY ANTIBIOTICS LIKE PENICILLIN RIGHT OFF THE SHELF FOR A FEW DOLLARS A BOTTLE.  THERE IS AN ANTIBIOTIC CREAM  MARY SOMETIMES USES THAT COSTS $60 A LITTLE TUBE AFTER THE DOCOTOR WRITES A SCRIPT, AND SHE GOT THAT FOR $6.

IT DOESN’T TAKE LONG TO SAVE MUCHO DINARO.

WE STOPPED FOR A COLD ONE AT AN OUTDOOR PLAZA WHILE WE WAITED FOR THE SUN GLASSES.

SOON THE VENDORS WERE DROPPING BY OUR TABLE HAWKING THEIR WEARS AND JUST BOTHERING US.  I WAS HAPPY WITH A BUD LIGHT AND MY ASHTRAY, AND MARY ENJOYED INSULTING THE YOUNG MEXICAN VENDORS WITH OFFERS OF $5 FOR ANYTHING THEY WERE SELLING.

SHE ENDED UP WITH GOLD AND SILVER JEWELRY, NOT $5, BUT THREE FOR $20.  THIS ROCK ROADRUNNER STARTED OUT AT $28 AND THE GUY WAS SO INSULTED BY MARY’S OFFER OF $5 I THOUGHT HE WAS GOING TO CLUB HER WITH IT.

SUSIE WAS PRETTY INTESTED IN THE ROCKING STONE ROADRUNNER UNTIL IT CLUNCKED HER IN THE HEAD. (AH, HEATHER, BETTER MAKE MORE ROOM ON YOUR MANTEL FOR ANTHER ROADIE).

NOW IF YOU READ INTO TRAVEL TIPS ON ALGODNOES, ON THE INTERNET YOU’RE BOUND TO RUN ACROSS STORIES ABOUT AVOIDING A TAVERN CALLED THE “GREEN DOOR”. 

THIS EARLY IN THE DAY, THE SIX MEXICAN VIRGINS WHO USUALLY RIDE THE STRIPER POLES WEREN’T OUT OF BED YET. I LEFT THEM MY E-MAIL ADDRESS.

I DOUBT THAT THE GREENBAY PACKER ORGANIZATION WAS PAID ANY FRANCHISE RITES ON THIS PAINTED ROCK WE PICKED UP.

DON’T FORGET THE BOOZE….

ADIOS