Viva La Mexico!

Today we took off for Progreso, Mexico by way of Brownsville, TX. This was a very interesting drive as it took us through a lot of farming country. We saw fields that seemed to go on forever, so big that you couldn't see the other end. And onions, we saw onions in the field, onions being picked and 50 lb bags of onions for sale. These are the infamous Texas Sweet onions.

We arrived at Progreso, TX around noon and opted to park on the U.S. side and walk across the bridge to Progreso, Mexico. For those who have cruised this is not the same as Progresso, Mexico on the Caribbean. I've been to Mexico many times by cruise ship, but this experience was very different. When you arrive in Cozumel by ship and go downtown, you encounter an occasional street vendor, but here in Progreso the streets are literally lined with vendors.






We decided to have lunch before shopping and went to a restaurant that was recommended to us by some Americans that were leaving Mexico as we arrived. It was OK, but take me to Taco Bell any day! I did have some flan for dessert and it was delicious.

After eating we decided to split up and meet back at the truck. Dean and I took off in search of a ring that my daughter-in-law had requested. Sorry, I can't tell you if I found it or not as she reads this blog! We walked about 6 or 7 blocks then crossed the street and turned back toward the bridge. Because the street vendors had just about anything that you could want from Mexico, we went in very few shops. One thing that was very different here was the number of dentist offices along the main road. Probably 4 or 5 in each block. You can have your teeth cleaned for $20/$25. Other services are priced just as cheap. A lot of the Winter Texans (aka snowbirds) come to have dental work done since it is so cheap. More power to them! Drugs (the legal kind) are also readily available with many pharmacies along the main street. Name brand drugs are very cheap here as compared to prices in the U.S. Here again, a lot of the Winter Texans get their prescriptions filled across the border.

We met up with Mickey and Patti as we were getting ready to go back across the bridge to the U.S. side. One interesting thing - it cost us .25 cents per person to enter Mexico and .30 per person cents to leave! Why??? Don't know.

Our ride home was uneventful and I think all four of us were tired and hot. The temperature today was in the 90's and the wind had finally died down, so it was one of the hottest days since we've been here.

All in all a very enjoyable day.