You put your right foot in. You put you're right foot out...

So I'm finally in Mexico. Got here Saturday night. That's the only reason I started this blog.

But, it almost didn't happen. Ali and I mistakenly ended up in the bus lane at the border crossing. Essentially, we bypassed the border checkpoint. You shoulda seen all the officials that came running up to the car as we pulled in behind the bus. They made us turn around and go back to McAllen. You can imagine our frustration in having to sit through that wait to re-enter the States. THEN, when we got through the entry to Mexico, we ended up going down the same bus route, once again, after the border crossing. Technically, we could've lied earlier and said we'd hit the checkpoint. There isn't any clear signage anywhere, telling you where to go and why.

You need a permit to drive your car beyond a certain distance into Mexico. They don't tell you that either. People just know. Ali knew this...but there weren't any signs telling you where we needed to get said permit. After spitting us out of the border crossing into Mexico, we just kept driving and driving...without the permit for the car or our tourist visas. Someone needs to put a suggestion box SOMEWHERE.

Eventually we worked our way back into the crossing zone and I had visions of us returning to the States. Again. Really, you just have to laugh at that point. I had already prepared myself mentally for the waits and delays. It's so typically latino to say something starts at 5 and everyone shows up at 6. So, we'd planned to be across the border by 1 or 1:30. Here it was, 3:30 and we're driving next to the bus lane, again, trying to get our permit and visas. We must've looked a sight. The only car within hundreds of miles with California plates driving in and out of Mexico; wrong lane in the wrong direction.

We eventually got what we needed. But only after going to show a guy our passports at window #1. He hands us forms to fill out and sends us over to window #2 where a guy photocopies the paperwork. That dude then sends us to section #3 with multiple windows where you pay for your papework. The lady there takes the money and staples everything together. We go BACK to window #1 where the first guy REMOVES the staple, separates the paperwork, stamps one of the sheets, restaples half of the paperwork, and hands it back. I LOVE MEXICO.

We were in. On our way. In the 5th lane of a 3 lane road.

Reynosa (the border town we entered) is in the state of Taumalipas. Nuevo Leon, the state that Monterrey is in wants to make sure the border guards did their job. Gotta love the cooperation in this nation. The guy at the state crossing looks at the car and asks us why we got so much stuff. I guess the fact that two women coming to stay for a few months isn't enough of a reason. We pull everything out and he opens up the suitcases. Lo and behold. Clothes. Shoes. Yup, you caught yourself some females.

He says we're good to go, so we throw everything back in the car and head out. As we're driving out Ali notices someone flagging us down...but isn't really sure. We keep driving down the highway. About 5 minutes later, we see lights flashing from behind. We'd forgotten one item when repacking the car. He chased us down to give it back.

We got to Monterrey without any other delays after that. I'm gonna LOVE living here. Honest.