pappysmarket

I hear you loud and clear about end of life decisions. I have also heard that from many other people. Observation tells me the actual decision is frequently not what was said while still in good health. Nothing scientific, just my observations.

Doesn't matter what any of us think. The Notario will decide what is and isn't required. No, you can't appeal that decision. They have many of the powers the old Hacienda owners had.

...and some people need to learn how to civilly express their opinion without denigrating those with whom they disagree.

Got my "Blood Thinner" bracelet on eBay, cheap and perfect.

Let's see: He's Mexican and you're not...case closed, save your money.

Have another sip and light one up you old fart, lol.

Even frozen fries are in short supply here in the RGV. It's been widely reported in the US media.

Perhaps times have changed but just a few years in the past the US accepted more legal immigrants than any other country on Earth. Is that not still true?

Bruno sure knew how to do a decent baked potato. He ate at our BnB for breakfast several times and answered many questions our cook had and she appreciated his advice. My questions about baking potatoes usually went answered sideways, lol. We did convince him to have on hand some crema acida for folks who requested it.

Another big change is the tourist visa, used to give everyone 180 days just for asking. Some YouTube videos are reporting that INM is asking for proof of hotel reservations and then granting the visa for only that number of days. I imagine many folks will then just take a chance and "lose" their visa or just overstay and accept whatever the consequences are if caught.

I just filled up at Costco in Pharr, Tx. and paid $2.55 US.

We miss many things about Mexico...but potatoes aren't one of them.

We used to frequent the old El Sarape restaurant when we had our BnB in Ajijic as it was just a block above us and we liked the owner, Marco, and his food. I once asked him how you can tell if an onion will be strong or mild. He smiled and said the only thing he thought was relevant was the shape. He said the perfectly round onions tended to be stronger than the ones that are more elliptical. I gave it a try and unfortunately it didn't seem to be the case for me. Here in the RGV the yellow, or brown if you prefer, onions are definitely less strong than the whites. I don't use the purple so can't comment on them. YMMV

You have done an excellent job of affirming what many folks believe to be true. Thanks

Yellow onions are generally sweeter than white ones. If your budget does not allow for buying onions at whatever price then you probably shouldn't be buying onions period. Most people wouldn't care if the price was 20 or 60 pesos/kilo since how much can you spend on onions?

For many years, both in Ajijic and in PV, we used Estefeta to have things delivered. They never once said no to anything and to say the least, we had some "unusual" items delivered that supposedly were no go items. We ran everything through Estefeta USA in Houston. Our contact there was Mariana and she provided great response time and cost estimates. They only use ground shipping and send numerous containers through Laredo daily. We got everything to Mariana in Houston, she would consolidate it if necessary and get it on their truck to Laredo. One day per week it was free to Laredo or you could pay extra if in a hurry. Never had a lost shipment nor damage or theft. Never an "extra" charge, whatever she quoted that was it. Don't know how they can do it but of course I have my guess but don't care. I would give them 5 Stars for sure.

How many remember the year the Reporter had a front page story about the cracks discovered in the lakebed that were responsible for huge amounts of water draining from Lake Chapala and the government was going to try and use a concrete solution?

My sincere condolences Harry. We met you the day we arrived in Ajijic and you guys had just arrived the day before. Rest in peace Chris.

Not yet but there was a narco boss killed in Reynosa a couple of months ago and it was reported that he was the "owner" of the plaza in Progresso so I have warned friends that if you do go over, do your business and return. Wouldn't be surprising if some shooting happened right there.

Vaxed or Unvaxed makes no difference in being able to transmit the virus. Lots of breakthrough infections and asymptomatic people so if you REALLY don't want to be exposed you must stay away from everybody, not just the unvaxed. We all have choices to make.

These snowbirds, or as they are called here, Winter Texans, flock over there. It costs $2 to park in a nice lot right next to the bridge, $1 to walk over and 25 cents to walk back. There are more farmacias, dentists, pedicurists, restaurants, junk stores within 3 blocks of the bridge than you would think possible. Throw in cheap chiropractors, a few actual doctors and liquor dealers and you probably get the picture. During high season you see long lines to get waited on in the farmacias. Parking on the Mexican side is bad so most people walk over. It's the border zone so if you do want to drive it's no problem. To top it off, you don't even need a passport. There are 2 lines for Immigration coming back, one for passports and one for driver's licenses. BP has discretion as to what is acceptable proof of citizenship and in Progresso a DL is acceptable. That line is always much longer. The Cartel is firmly in control there and most violence takes place not near the tourist zone. Oh, they don't like Pesos there, they post all prices in dollars and really don't care to accept pesos and they all speak English. The tourists just love the idea of seeing "Mexico" much like the tourists in Lakeside. It is what it is and both Gringolandias appeal to a group that appreciates what they have to offer. Capitalism at its' best.

Here in the RGV we can walk over the bridge to Progresso and it is very similar to what Ajijic has become, as you say, Gringolandia.

25 minutes wheels up to wheels down on a plane and you avoid those pesky drivers who just have to pass the car in front of them regardless if it's safe to do so. That's why God invented planes. Feliz Navidad!

This is probably more towards the truth...

Thanks for the great service you provided us at Casa Flores B&B. You made a lot of our guests very happy.