Star Wars Frontier

9-11-10


We all agree that it will be difficult to describe our experiences last night. We traveled the rest of the way through Mexico which seems like an oasis of order and beauty. Good bye beautiful Mexico. Just before we got to the border, there were young men flagging down the van. They were waving their ID badges. Apparently they want to be hired to help us negotiate the border. We finally stopped to look at the map and 2 men we had seen a ways back ran up to us. They said they had taken a taxi and followed us.

Clint said ok, and they both jumped into the front seat. They directed him on a different way than he was planning, but they said it was the only way to get through the border tonight. We left Mexico, and entered the frontier. There were some restaurants, scary hotels and many people. It was obvious that the travelers were this town’s bread and butter and entertainment. Our guides took us up a back alley, it seemed, and we parked next to a line of cars and trucks many pulling trailers. This seemed too seedy for the official way into another country, and I had a moment’s thought that our guides were setting us up. But no the chaos that is that border had just started. The one guide took off with our paperwork to get copies. He went running down the street. He did return with the copies. It appeared that these guys were legit. They had been doing this border brokering for 12 years. They live in Guatemala.

There was an obviously drunk man who among others came over to see what they could get or sell or just to watch. The drunk man said in English, “don’t trust them”, pointing at our guides. He asked us for money which he would change for us, and I am sure many other offers. He was carrying a bucket and wiping all our windows with a dry rag. He also looked in all the windows to see what was in there.

While our guide was having our paperwork processed, we locked the van and went to a restaurant in sight of the van to eat. After a while, Clint had to move the van to put it into the line of cars that were waiting to cross the border. While he was at the van, the drunk man said someone had stolen the battery that was for emergency trailer brakes. He said for a price he could find out who had it. We were pretty sure he was the thief and had used his bucket to take it away without notice. Clint kept pursuing him talking to him about getting the battery back. He didn’t want to have to find another one around here. The guides warned Clint against going too far to pursue him. Finally the man admitted that he had taken the battery to safeguard it from thieves. For $5.00 Clint got it back. He had to have him find the top with the terminals which he had thrown away.

The frontier people looked like this was a common occurrence. Next we crossed a bridge and were out of the frontier into Guatemala. The guides had us go to a lot completely full of cars, trucks, trailers, people, kids, dogs, and gawkers. There was no one in any uniforms. All of the border people looked just like anyone else, in jeans and t-shirts. It looked like we were doing business in Gundie’s salvage yard. Without the guides, anyone could have come up and asked for our papers. They inspected our trailers and looked at our papers from the broker in the USA. The bottom line was that we had to pay more than $650. $300 of it was to take our own laptops, cameras and other electronic stuff. No arguing would help. Then we got back on the road and talked to the other border folks in uniforms. As we were in a Guatemala border town it had a very wild look. People everywhere, bars, really terrible looking hotels and probably every opportunist stuck in the country, hoping to go to Mexico. It would be quite unhealthy to walk down those streets for very long. They fumigated our van and trailers, this time both sides. Although the hose wouldn’t reach and they had to spray from a distance. The border officials with uniforms wanted to have us pay for the man who was appointed to ride with us through the country Cainnoneas (sp?)

Clint refused to pay more than the $650 and they didn’t push it. He has been somewhat helpful, and he guided us to a hotel last night. It had clean sheets and AC. That was all we required to be content for the night. The drive to the hotel was no fun. There were very frequent topes for speed bumps. About the time you pass someone or get over 40 mph you come to another one. These are so big that you have to stop and just inch over them, like going over a curb. We had hoped that after Mexico we were done with them. Instead there are more.

This am we got on our way about 10:00. We had our usual breakfast of eggs, beans, and tortillas with meat if available. That is our favorite.

Now we are waiting in line. We have been for about 2 hours. A large bridge was washed out and they are repairing it. They let a few cars go and then they let the dump trucks unload their rocks. This must be effects from the tropical storm Hermine. What is just a news blip in the USA can sure mean a lot of destruction here. We could see where the rivers had been huge, maybe 10 times wider and deeper than usual. We could see where the rivers had been huge, maybe 10 times wider and deeper than usual.

This is the first road delay in Guatemala. There are reports that many roads were blocked because of slides and wash outs. This bridge is the only main obstacle left. We hope.

Border Official checks our papers

Guy leaning against the post has our battery

In the border crossing, not much security here

Our border helpers

I am unable to post photos at this time, sorry

About an Hour from the Border

9-10-10


Sorry I made an error in where we drove to last night, sometimes it is hard to remember the names of the cities. We arrived in Tuxla Gutierrez not Tuxpan. It might not make a difference to anybody who is not following on a map, but it meant we went north instead of south. We are well under way to Guatemala, about 100km. from the border. We have had an excellent drive today. Good road, less toll booths than we thought, great fellowship in God, and outstanding mountain scenery. There is no way to convey how beautiful, lush, and unspoiled the whole coast of Mexico is compared to the U.S. If I knew more Spanish, I would love to travel around here for a few months. Although this is not strictly a pleasure trip, we still have had much pleasure. God really has been able to help us tremendously on the way. Thanks for the prayers.

To Tuxpan

We ended up in a very nice hotel last night about 11pm after some of the worst traveling so far.  After gettting the water pump changed, we left about 4pm.  We went through a series of mountains. It was probably beautiful country, but we were on at times terrible road with lots of huge potholes.  It began to rain and lightening almost continuously.  For at least a couple of hours the flashes were not more than a few seconds apart.  We would have enjoyed it because it was so spectacular but for the rain and millions of trucks. Both that Clint had to pass, and coming at us.
This video shows a short stretch. 
We are heading out this am about 8 or after breakfast the hotel has a restaurant.  We are happy to have landed so well last night.  It sometimes takes us a long time to find a place for this long a rig to light. This video is an experiment to see how this works to insert.
When we leave, we are headed for Guatemala.  Hope to post from there.

Dead in the Water over a Water Pump

We are not really "dead in the water", its a bad confession anyway, but it sounded good We are actually "stranded" at a beautiful old fashioned-looking hotel, with swimming pool and internet access.  I think a lot of it is old with colorfully flowered basins in the bathrooms and brick archways and old roof tiles. 
I don't think I ever mentioned, that Mexico is very patriotic. Almost every business, house, car, food cart and balcony has either a flag or streamers in red, white and green. It looks like a holiday everywhere.
Clint went out to San Martin this am to find a water pump and some tools.  He and Jerry and Dale removed the old one, and are replacing it now. 

Hard at it

Shari, Katie, Nick and I went exploring.  We found a little Cochina or food shop selling hand-made tortillas with different kinds of meat.  Our favorite was the carne asada. Yum, great breakfast.  We bought some for the guys after going to the bank.

great handmade tortillas here

 All of the towns are wall to wall, little shops.  It would take you all day to shop, but be very enjoyable. 
The pool felt good after walking in the sun.

Hotel Posada San Martin

Sad Day with Great End

9-8-10

Beautiful countryside

Today started well as we got breakfast and coffee at the hotel.  The people were very nice.  We had been experiencing some overheating on the uphills but nothing too bad.  We figured the thermostat was bad.   Most of the day we had been driving next to the coast.  Absolutely gorgeous, breathtaking at times.  We passed through many towns that looked quaint, colorful and lively.  It would be endless fun to explore them.  So far everyone we talk to for direction is friendly and helpful, d not always knowledgeable, but trying to help. 
   We suddenly came upon the flood area which we had heard about yesterday.  We were following a Semi.  There were rigs coming our way that had made it, so we decided to make the plunge and cross the flooded area.  There obviously was not turning back.  It was several miles long and had all of our hearts racing a bit.  The water on the truck was up to its bumper quite often.  We started passing submerged buildings, and were joking that that was our next hotel and it had a lake view.  After we entered the City of Lerdo, it wasn't so funny.  The main part of town was about four feet deep in water.  Many homes and business were awash.  I am sure many people had great losses.  Praise be to  God that we had no troubles getting through the water.

Tell me they're not spearfishing next to the van

Wow

Let's go for it

After the flooded town, we started climbing again.  We noticed the van was really overheating now.  We had to stop once to cool it off. When we went down or level it seemed to recover.
In the next town, Clint  pulled over to look for a mechanic to either remove our themostat or loan us tools as thats what we thought was responsible.  The mechanic was busy so we decided to get something to eat.  God led us right to a place where a family had an open air restaurant.  When we got to looking around, it looked like they might be Christians. We asked, and they were.  We were instant family.  Caroline the wife fixed us a bowl of delicious stew and tortillas, and her husband Juan made us feel welcome.  Their business was in an outdoor area with beautifull brightly painted walls.  After the food, Clint and Jerry went to work on the car, and the rest of us chatted with them.  They are new Christians and seemed glad for the encouragement, and we were glad of the wonderful visit with our newfound brothers and sisters.  Their son and daughter were there with their daughter-in-law.  We prayed for each other and found it difficult to part.

Su Leing, Aracely, Maria, Juan, David and Isabel
holding Nina, Jerry and Catherine (the dogs)

Now we are in a charming hotel in the next town.  Clint was able to get the van into a pretty tight parking lot behind a wall so that we can stay here.  There may be a mechanic that can help us as the removal of the thermostat didn't help.  They let us swim and all it took was a few minutes as the pool was cold.  It did feel good to be cold for a few minutes.

Hanging Out with Bellies Hanging Out

09-07-10 2:30pm


We are on our way to Vera Cruz or as close as we can get. We hear there is some flooding we may have to go around, plus we have to go around the city itself. We heard from Jacob (from back at the Brokers) that if you go through Vera Cruz instead of around, you will be stopped and fined $200.

This fining business seems to be very prevalent and popular. We have been stopped twice two times today. The first time was about ½ hour out from our hotel. They stopped us for speeding, even though we we not going any faster than the cars ahead and behind. It seemed to be all trucks and us. They wanted one amount, and started to write a ticket, and then they had us pull ahead and give them about $20. We never really got a ticket. Clint said if you refuse, they will take you to the station and write it up and it will end up being hours and $200. We were not happy, but relieved with the results.

We have been driving south and Clint took us on one small side-trip to the Playa or beach of Miramar. We so much wanted to set foot in the Gulf of Mexico. We stopped there for a local breakfast of scrambled eggs with bacon, black beans and cheese, and yeah coffee. Not great coffee, or even good coffee, but coffee.

Ticket Number 1

Next we went to the beach this place Is set up for many thousands of people, but it was almost a ghost town today. There were hundreds of umbrellas and beach chairs set up. Great white sand beach. The water was warm and glorious. It was nice to smell sea air again after being an inlander in Colorado. There is something untamed about even a resort beach.

The Gulf of Mexico

As we tried to get back to the main highway we tried to find it in Tapico. We got into town with very old buildings, parking on both sides and increasingly narrow streets. It was getting barely passible to us and we were afraid that we would get stuck and attract more policia. We did find a way thanks be to God and also gasoline just as soon as we prayed, and are long gone from there.

Before we actually got to the beach, we got stopped by the policia again. It was a small town, and it was evident that they just stood out there and picked off likely subjects. This was for following too close, and not having wide enough mirrors. We can see around our trailer fine, and we were close because we were pulling up to a stop sign. The officers looked pretty serious about our crime spree. We got out after Clint and he haggled a bit for about $50. Expensive beach trip. Sorry Clint

Most of the countryside is lushly green with lots of trees. This is a very beautiful country. At least this part.

Everywhere beautiful vistas

Now parked for the night, fed and just swam in a pool under palm trees. It is 11 pm. We have been trying since 5:30 to get a hotel. Every town was the same no hotels, or hotels with no parking for the van and trailer. We went through Tuxpan and Posa Rica and several small towns I didn’t write down. Each had amazing central areas with some great big hotels but no parking lots. We even got stopped twice more at check points with police, but not for tickets. Everyone we asked about hotels pointed up the road, but didn’t really give us any leads. It was like trying to find a garage sale by the signs. You can’t get there from here. We drove through some of the prettiest country I have ever seen There were terraced hillsides, orchards, sugar canes, banana and orange trees and possibly a tea plantation. Finally finally at the last police stop we asked and officer and he told us yes there was a hotel ahead. We didn’t spot his, but a guy ran out into the road and flagged us in to his. Pretty basic rooms, but clean sheets and we are not in the van. Also they had a restaurant, so we were able to get dinner right here on the grounds. We are in a beach town, and may wake up to ocean views nearby. It is weird to think of the ocean to the east of us.

Nick wanted me to name this blog, “guys hanging out with their bellies out”, because they like to stand around in groups with their shirts pulled up over the top of their bellies to keep cooler.

Then we got in Line

09-06-10 4pm.

Francisco's key chain

Wow, today has lots to tell already. We are in Mexico, on highway 53, we think. Many blessings today and interesting encounters. We left the hotel 8ish. It was a clean, comfortable place which served a good breakfast so we didn’t have to mess with that. We got to the Brokers called Transmitgrantes America. They are the ones who process our paperwork. They look at the load and tell us how to package everything for the border, and write up an audit for immigration of what we have. Anything expensive that we didn’t declare, they can confiscate. We found that the brokers would take until noon to fill out the paperwork, so we waited. Nick met a man named Jacob Hershberger from Costa Rica bringing a load of milk tanks down. Turns out he was the father-in-law of a friend of theirs. He drives a white Freightliner.

Jacob's truck

                                                                           

We prayed for his toothache, backache and sore throat. We will probably see him enroute. Its nice to have a friend on the way.

Also while waiting we met a man named Francisco who was selling keychains for a ministry. He was delivered from drugs, gangs, etc. and was inviting others on the street to come to the same deliverance ministry called Outcry in the Barrio. We prayed with him and bought key chains of course.

Installing the hasp--so glad to have it

Next we left for Los Indios where the border is. People from California drive to this border. It is great we were near it.

The border was very uneventful on the USA side. I can’t call it the American side, cause we are in the United States of Mexico and still in America. When we got close to the Mexico side, we had to wait in a line for about a half an hour for officials to go over our papers and look at our trailers. One potential glitch came up. They needed hasps on all of the trailer doors so they could put seals on the locks. The side door just had a key lock. It seemed likely that we would have to punch a hole in the side of the trailer in order to put a chain or lock around the door.

Clint rummaged around and found a hasp that Seth Dunn had given him.

Hallelujah. He was able to mount the hasp across the door to make it look like that was the lock. The agent was satisfied even though it was evident that it was kind of a token effort. At least proprieties were satisfied. Clint gave him the $20 that he needed to do his part and we were on our way. Almost.

Next we got in line so that they could look at our papers and X-ray our van and trailer. We had to hand the papers way up to the guys because it was the truck port of entry.

Next we got in line to just wait in line. Then our line went and our convoy made a complete loop around immigration only to get in line to pay $3.00, only they wanted $14 when we got there.


Then we got in line to get our tires sprayed against germs and bugs, etc.

Funny thing is we had to pay $8 for the privilege and they only did the tires on one side. It was a guy with a garden-typed sprayer, a mask and a white suit.

Then we got in line after making another loop around to park outside of immigration. We got out.

Then we got in line to go to show our passports and get a form.

Then we got in line to get our now filled out forms stamped.

Then we got in line to pay $23 each and get a new form to add to the other.

Then we got in line with our new form to go to the same person for the 3rd time and get our passports stamped and our immigration paper back.

Clint stood in a very short line to get some money exchanged.

After the line marathon, we were off we got to the border at 12:30 and left at 3:50.

Other than bordem, which is inconsequential, it went very smooth. Not long after the border, we hit a large flooded area across the road. It was apparent that it had been deeper, possibly impassable. We are glad that we didn’t try to come here yesterday. Now we are in an increasingly fierce deluge of rain. We are trying to figure the best way to travel to avoid the tropical storm headed this way. Yesterday we were not sure if the border would close because of it.

It is about 5pm.

Oh oh, then we got in line. There was another stop miles from the border. We waited in line to talk to some soldiers and show them our papers, then they said we were in the wrong line even though the first guy said to go there and we circled around the building to get in another line. This was a military group with camouflaged sheds with guys with big rifles sitting in them. Even though it seems a little intimidating, it is still comforting to see their presence in light of the murders lately. I think we’re done. We are happy to be about 4 hours from the border. This part of Mexico is beautiful. Just like the parts you see painted in the Mexican restaurants. I love the colorful buildings. The rain is behind, but there is evidence that it has been fierce here lately.

Blurry but green, It is beautiful

I forgot a good joke that Judith Streng came up with. One of the foods she made for us was a green slaw with orange slices and amonds. She had toasted them and they got a little overdone. She said they were not almonds because she had burnt the “L” out of them.

Now in Ciudad de Victoria. In for the night after a good dinner.11pm