How Often Do You Cross the Mexican Border?

[RDCanecutter 26447]

Just wondering.

[Guest]

I used to probably 4-5 times a year. Haven't in probably a decade now.

[RDCanecutter 26447]

dammit. Tried to make this a poll but I was ignunt. Now it's an essay question and I won't be able to run it through the scantron.

[RDCanecutter 26447]

My experience is a little backwards-- when I lived in Texas, it hardly occurred to me to go to Mexico. Maybe went once in 5 years. Now that I live far away, every time I visit Texas I try to work in at least one border hop.

Usually have to go by myself. The Texas Canecutters think Mexico is Mordor.

[InkaUtexas 25954]

I don't, but I do go to El Salvador and Honduras plus other places south. Sometimes for fun, sometimes for business. And business trips are always fun. 

[Zepol87 9188]

Every other month or so. I used to drive from Dallas to Monterrey twice a month. That was a bitch

[Hate 20108]

Growing up in SA we used to go all the time. 20 years ago, a bunch of friends and I took a bus to Tecoman from Laredo. We had a blast and never once felt as if we were in danger. I’m not sure I would do that now.

But to answer your question, I haven’t been to Mexico in 12 years now and I flew to Cabo.

[RDCanecutter 26447]

Just now, Zepol87 said:

Every other month or so. I used to drive from Dallas to Monterrey twice a month. That was a bitch

That stretch between Waco and Georgetown is a beat down.

[Zepol87 9188]

lol very true. The tollway between Laredo and Monterrey was awesome. Always remember to carry some cash for the "sodas" when you get stopped

[FondrenRoad 4378]

I haven't driven or walked across it in 2 decades, but used to cross a couple times a year in the 90s.  I've flown down there a few times since, but I don't think that's what you had in mind.

[6th Street 6412]

Was in SD for a buddy's bachelor party last year. One of the days we walked across the Tijuana crossing and hit up a spot called Hong Kong. One of the greatest gentlemen's clubs I have ever been to. My goodness 

[deadshank 24653]

I miss going across to Old Mexico.  Ranch Caracol in Tamaulipas was a great place but no more.  Thanks, Zetas.

[F250 28777]

In high school and college I would cross the border about 10 times a year. Made multiple road trips to Monterrey and Queretaro in college. The last time I drove into Mexico was 14 years ago when we drove into Matamoros. Shit was starting to go down on the border and that was my last time driving into Mexico.

 

 

[Johnny Sack 8397]

Lived in the Valley for a couple years in the early 90s.  We went across almost every Friday night.  Park at the lot next to the bridge and walk.  Only place I felt comfortable driving across was at Progreso.  But my friend's grandfather owned the bridge and we knew everyone who worked it.  

And in college, would drive down to Acuna a couple times a year to party.  

Have not been to a bordertown since 2000 though.  I vacation in Mexico at least once a year with wife and friends.

Edited June 18, 2018 by Johnny Sack

[Nolacycling 893]

Progresso is a completely safe place to cross.

Last visit I struck up a conversation w/a man in a Canada t-shirt. He said he was actually from Indiana, but w/Trump and the wall and all he didn't want locals to think he was American. 

[atomheartbevo 89692]

Did once or twice a year in high school. When I was at Bliss, every other week or so. Probably been 15 years since I drove into Mexico, rather than fly or take a cruise ship to a coastal area. 

[Johnny Sack 8397]

Progreso is no longer safe according to my RGV friends.

Edited June 18, 2018 by Johnny Sack

[Don Keibals 113]

Every time I get caught and deported

[MAUFRAIS 6629]

Crossed to Nuevo Laredo last month. New bit is that bicycles get their own much shorter line, so dudes rent kids bikes for 5 bucks.

[RDCanecutter 26447]

Just now, MAUFRAIS said:

Crossed to Nuevo Laredo last month. New bit is that bicycles get their own much shorter line, so dudes rent kids bikes for 5 bucks.

That's funny. csb: Once I was in Nuevo Laredo on a scooter mainly so, y'know, I could tell my friends I rode a scooter to Mexico. Coming back, like a big giant white-ass gringo, I waited my turn in the long line of cars. Mexican taxi drivers told me, "go ahead, you're on a scooter, just skip the whole line." So I did, revved it up and Came to America zipping up the wrong way on the old bridge, then another Mexican taxi driver waved me in front of him at the checkpoint.

Customs officer spoke to me in Spanish because she said she figured I understood it.

[Al Bundy's Napoleon Hand 13585]

Every few years or so, fair portion wading cross the Rio in Big Bend.

[deadshank 24653]

Had some friends swim across at the old bridge in NL.  Just becuase.

Mexican and American border guards just watched with the rest of us and laughed.  They asked me if I knew "those idiots" and I said I did.  Both sides said they'd probably get some bad infections becuase the water is so dirty.  

The Mexican guards said the river would run dry if Nuevo didn't flush their toilets for 30 minutes.

Glad I didn't join them on that escpade.

[Al Bundy's Napoleon Hand 13585]

RIP Victor

[po elvis 2073]

about 5 years ago, me and the mexican gf walked across the bridge at Progreso just to do it. 50 cents into the turnstile will get you into Mexico. Leaving Mexico you put 35 cents into the turnstile, but the bridge turns into a line through a building where you have to give your passport to an agent. oops, didn't know we needed a passport. they just asked our information and looked us up on the computer and let us through saying "next time bring a passport".

had a very strange feeling as we stepped onto the street on the other side of the river. this protection and freedom i had felt was just totally gone. all the sudden i was at the mercy of whoever wanted to cause me problems at that particular time.

 

[SimonBolivar 10958]

Twice this year but might be another year or two before #3. My girfirend's 85 year old grandma takes the bus from Waco to Zacatecas (that has to be a beating) every other month to check on her house. She rides with family to Acuna for "Mexican Supplies" once a month or so and she's never had any trouble, but then she's an 85 year old Mexican woman who doesn't take shit from anyone.

Edited June 18, 2018 by SimonBolivar

[HenryJames 66082]

I crossed your mom's Mexican border last night.

[Js1 85371]

1 minute ago, HenryJames said:

I crossed your mom's Mexican border last night.

Edited June 18, 2018 by Js1

[SimonBolivar 10958]

9 minutes ago, po elvis said:

 

had a very strange feeling as we stepped onto the street on the other side of the river. this protection and freedom i had felt was just totally gone. all the sudden i was at the mercy of whoever wanted to cause me problems at that particular time.

 

As a bolillo I know that feeling. It's almost being transported back to the Wild West. The air just has feeling of magic...and danger.

[RDCanecutter 26447]

4 hours ago, SimonBolivar said:

As a bolillo I know that feeling. It's almost being transported back to the Wild West. The air just has feeling of magic...and danger.

I always feel like I stepped into a Bond movie.

Acuna is kind of like the Mayberry of border towns. I'm sure you could get into trouble there, but you'd probably have to start it.

[SaucyJack 3488]

12 minutes ago, RDCanecutter said:

I always feel like I stepped into a Bond movie.

Acuna is kind of like the Mayberry of border towns. I'm sure you could get into trouble there, but you'd probably have to start it.

Went a fuckton when I was growing up.  Now travel to the interior and D.F. 2,3x a year.

My Acuna experiences were far, far from Mayberry.  One close relative owned Crosby's.

 

[Johnny Sack 8397]

Got roofied at the Corona Club back in 96.  

[RDCanecutter 26447]

By Mayberry I mean "place on the border least likely to end up dismembered in a suitcase."

Sadly, by the time I discovered Acuna it was a shadow of itself. Air Force dudes were nowhere to be seen. Any given bar on the strip, it was me and 3 or 4 old local dudes.

Did meet one taxi driver who took me out to see the jail that Robert Rodriguez used for the first scenes in El Mariachi. We didn't go inside.

[hpslugga 4062]

7 hours ago, Zepol87 said:

Every other month or so. I used to drive from Dallas to Monterrey twice a month. That was a bitch

It’s only a bitch if you do it at the wrong time of day.

[RPM 26322]

6 hours ago, HenryJames said:

I crossed your mom's Mexican border last night.

[Brisketexan 105154]

I crossed your mom's Mexican border last night.

All the federales say, you could have had her any day...

[Jack Burton 35]

More of a Belize guy, sorry

[relapse98 634]

Wife grew up in Del Rio. She spent most every Friday and Saturday night in Acuna at the bars.

When we'd go to Del Rio every month or so during college, we'd go over every night to have dinner and drinks.

After college, we'd visit her mom and grandparents every couple of months and go over every night to have dinner and drinks.

Family has all moved out of Del Rio, we've visited for reunions etc. and haven't been over once in the past 15 years. All the bars and restaurants in Acuna have pretty much wilted away - Ma Crosby's, gone.  Manuel's - moved to Del Rio. Chapa's Bakery - moved to Del Rio.

[TornACL 7698]

1 minute ago, relapse98 said:

Family has all moved out of Del Rio, we've visited for reunions etc. and haven't been over once in the past 15 years. All the bars and restaurants in Acuna have pretty much wilted away - Ma Crosby's, gone.  Manuel's - moved to Del Rio. Chapa's Bakery - moved to Del Rio.

That is sad.

[RDCanecutter 26447]

2 hours ago, relapse98 said:

 Chapa's Bakery - moved to Del Rio.

Is that not just a new location, instead of a total move? movie freak tidbit-- Chapa's in Acuna is caddycorner to Salma Hayek's bookstore in Desperado.

https://www.google.com/maps/@29.3252607,-100.9346628,3a,18y,237.39h,88.41t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1sf-JwueAA4RhOEQjZPee9OA!2e0!6s%2F%2Fgeo1.ggpht.com%2Fcbk%3Fpanoid%3Df-JwueAA4RhOEQjZPee9OA%26output%3Dthumbnail%26cb_client%3Dsearch.TACTILE.gps%26thumb%3D2%26w%3D96%26h%3D64%26yaw%3D239.55243%26pitch%3D0%26thumbfov%3D100!7i13312!8i6656

Edited June 19, 2018 by RDCanecutter

[relapse98 634]

Wow, deep dig. Maybe its just a new location. 

 

We used to go to Chapa's in Acuna and you'd get a tray and fill it up with baked goods and its be like $0.53 for the whole thing. Went to the one in Del Rio and it was much more American pricing

[FondrenRoad 4378]

15 minutes ago, RDCanecutter said:

Is that not just a new location, instead of a total move? movie freak tidbit-- Chapa's in Acuna is caddycorner to Salma Hayek's bookstore in Desperado.

https://www.google.com/maps/@29.3252607,-100.9346628,3a,18y,237.39h,88.41t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1sf-JwueAA4RhOEQjZPee9OA!2e0!6s%2F%2Fgeo1.ggpht.com%2Fcbk%3Fpanoid%3Df-JwueAA4RhOEQjZPee9OA%26output%3Dthumbnail%26cb_client%3Dsearch.TACTILE.gps%26thumb%3D2%26w%3D96%26h%3D64%26yaw%3D239.55243%26pitch%3D0%26thumbfov%3D100!7i13312!8i6656

God damn, she was the perfect woman back then.  Still is for her age.

[RDCanecutter 26447]

46 minutes ago, relapse98 said:

Wow, deep dig.

A few years back I discovered "El Mariachi" was shot in Acuna, so I did an OCD dive into the town, taking photos of as many locations as I could. Even spent the night in the Hotel Coahuila, where he slid down the wire. Cost about 12 bucks. One of two hotels where I jammed a chair under the door knob.

[Fozzz 152]

Visit Reynosa a few times a year.  Fajitas at Lo Diferente always hit the spot.  

[JBJ 3654]

I haven't driven it in at least 15 years.  I still have family in Mexico, but Mexico City so that'd be two days.

Others in my family still make an occassional trip to Piedras Negras.

I can't keep track of where is more or less safe anymore.

[Johnny Sack 8397]

24 minutes ago, Fozzz said:

Visit Reynosa a few times a year.  Fajitas at Lo Diferente always hit the spot.  

Is La Fogata still there?  My favorite place to eat in Reynosa.  

[Fozzz 152]

2 minutes ago, Johnny Sack said:

Is La Fogata still there?  My favorite place to eat in Reynosa.  

I believe so, although I haven't been there in a few years.  Excellent cabrito.  La Mansion is another place worth visiting.  

[MAROON 445]

about four times a year to Mexico City and or Monterey for business.

Glad I got to go to Acuna before it was ruined - Ma Crosby's for fishbowl beers and froglegs.  We walked down the street to the El Toro Bar (which was missing part of its roof).  Buddy put a $100bill on the bar and told the bar keep to pay for everyone's drinks, gave another $100 to the mariachi band and told them to keep playing.  The bartender next door closed his bar and came over and drank with us...he was also a town doctor.  I vaguely remember ending up at the The Hunter club or some such place. My bullshit was working great that night - every chick in that place was mine for the taking.....

[Zepol87 9188]

Threads like these are when I hate being young. Missed out on the badass fun at the border. When I was little the family went out drinking and we played soccer at the Rancho with no shoes on. 

[RDCanecutter 26447]

I guess I've been to 4 crossings-- Matamoros, Progreso, Nuevo Laredo, and Acuna.

Not much to remember of Matamoros. There was a knock-off McDonalds, a little food stand using the golden arches.

Progreso was bizarre. I went with my GF and her great-aunt who was a nurse in WW2 and probably packing heat. My job was to drive her land-boat Cadillac slowly through the streets while Mad Max beggar kids scratched at the windows and Sinatra crooned from the stereo.

N. Laredo is my main way of actually going into Mexico. Bond film? scratch that. NL usually feels more like a Conan movie. There have been exceptions. I buy more newspapers there, and tip. Tip everybody.

Acuna is booming outside the old tourist area. US tourists have vanished, but folks say that more and more US factories are opening.

Never been to Piedras Negras. I was sitting in Eagle Pass once, could see the Mexican side, looked nice but I suddenly had a funny feeling. Didn't go.

[Post Oak 20239]

I used to go to Progreso a few times a year.  Havent been in over a decade.  Miss it