On the bridge over the Reo Grande there is little turning back here.This is the Mexican border check. They are not very worried about what you are bringing in so only one person on duty.
Main street Progresso. It is crowded and there are many vendors set up outside stores to sell their stuff. Walking through is a one-lane operation
most of the time. Several stores are really nice and air conditioned while others; we will just say they were a little rough.This was the most impressive sign of all the many medical related businesses we passed. We have many here at the RV park that have dentists in Progresso.
11/30 Friday I began the post and had to look at the clock that tells me what day it is; ain’t retirement great!! I had it wrong, I thought it was Thursday and I had a day to take care of some business before the weekend – Oh well, who really gives a flip?
The day began a little early as the dog said she needed to take a quick trot outside. Me, once up it is hard to head back to bed. Coffee and looking at the Internet seemed to be important at the time.
We decided to head to Progresso, Mexico today and see what everyone is taking about. Yes, it is a darn sight better than our experience in Reynosa two days ago. Although the streets are not that much better, there is signage we are able to read. There were also lots of cars with Texas plates unlike Reynosa. This town does cater to the American tourist and offers very good dental care are great prices. They also offer medical services, glasses, hair cuts and of course medicines and liquor at much better prices.
We shopped around for a while and then picked up some liquor to see what would happen at the border crossing. As none Texans, we were able to bring back 4 quarts each vs. only one for a Texan. Arriving at the Texas checkpoint for liquor and cigarettes, we were only charged $1.25 for each of two quarts we had and $1.75 for the 1.75L bottle we brought in. Considering we were dealing with Kahula that cost about $35 in the states, we made out well considering we paid $8.70 for the bottle in Mexico. Even with the tax, we were still under $10. So it cost .25 to cross the border going south and .30 going north and $1.50 to park, we still had money in the pocket even after buying gasoline. After all, we were going to go somewhere and do something, so we could have been out some money for travel in any case.
Progresso is not so bad a town to visit. Just like many years ago, the kids are panhandling anyone who comes by. There are also many adults who are sitting out there with a cup (normally a clean, white Styrofoam cup) hoping you will drop in coins or better. Walking back across the bridge there were kids with a hat or cup extended through the railing of the bridge looking for coins. You could not see them at all, nor could they see you until you were immediately in front of them. As an educator, the number of kids begging instead of in school disturbed me. No, I have no confidence that they were home schooled, so what future could they have? Still, it was an experience and causes us to realize just how blessed we are in life.
