Boarder Update Last Saturday

[Jzmackenzie]

Jolene and Jacquie traveled to the USA by car Dec. 7 and returned Dec. 18. This was our 16th trip back/home by vehicle.

Going in was flawless; no problems on the road or crossing. We were warned that for the last two weeks some changes have occurred, even air filters were being removed from cars and inspected as the examination process has gotten much worse. We were told that the USA customs officers often demand to know where visitors are going and why. "Some changes" was an understatement!

We arrived at the Columbus, New Mexico port about 10am Friday Dec. 17. Every single car was made to unwrap and unload all items. We had old used items from a storage room. They objected to our wool blankets, cotton fabric scraps, patterns, and other items to use when sewing, videos that looked "too new" to be ours, vitamins, clothing that might not have been ours (I tried on a suit coat to prove otherwise), leather costume dress, and etc., etc.

They wanted proof issued by the Mexican govt. that we only reside in Mexico (the BACK of the old fart's card had "Rancho Cajones" as our residence). I finally asked what it might cost to go to our only home in Central Mexico. We were presented with a bill and left after 2+ hours of unpacking and repacking and paying $1,200 pesos.

At the next stop we showed our aduana receipt and went right on by.

At the third stop, over a concrete hole and surrounded by military personnel, we had to show the paperwork for the car sticker, FM3 cards, driver's license, and our aduana receipt. The trip was more stressful due to inspections that drug thugs. Many, many people were traveling in caravans as the Mexican govt. had advised.

We were ALWAYS treated respectfully by Mexican officials and never felt in danger from anyone.

Jacquie and Jolene

[The Duck]

Guests [-boarders?-] like fish tend to smell after three days [at the border?]