Tuesday, December 26, 2023

This morning we woke up early because we wanted to get a really early start on the day. Everyone did a much better job packing, and we were ready pretty quickly. It’s time to leave Sierra Vista and the USA and drive to Hermosillo, Sonora, Mexico.

The kids are all feeling pretty anxious about driving to Mexico. They heard us talking yesterday about how it might be dangerous to drive in our car, and they are feeling pretty stressed. Alicia told me that she dreamed that when we drove into Mexico there was a sign that said: “Welcome to Mexico, the Most Dangerous Country in the World.” When I tried to tell them that we were going to be fine, they just said: “Then why were you worried yesterday?”

...

... Touché.

Despite the fast pack, we actually got off to a slow start, because we had to stop at Ross again on our way out. Betty’s friends really like Ross ;)

The drive from Sierra Vista to Nogales is really nice. If you are ever in the area, I highly recommend it.

When we arrived in Nogales, we drove straight to the insurance company to make sure to have that all in order. The lady there -- Esperanza -- was super nice, and she told us we didn’t need to worry. I’m not sure it did much to help the kids.

When we went back out to the car, Betty looked at the tire and noticed that the sidewall had a big slash in it. I have no idea how it got there, but it was pretty clear to me that we needed to get it checked out and almost certainly needed a new tire.

Thankfully, there was a tire shop nearby, and I had purchased (against what I thought was my better judgement) a tire warranty on the new Sequoia.

It took a couple of hours, in which the kids were able to create all kinds of terrible scenarios about what was going to happen to us when we crossed the border. (Let’s just say it was not the funnest two hours of this trip.) But in the end, we got the tire replaced and didn’t have to pay a cent. And we were back on the road. After another quick stop to get some pesos, and some gas, we were ready to cross the border.

If you’ve never driven across the border, it’s definitely an experience, and the kids were on high alert as we navigated the crazy, crazy traffic. The Ayalas (Vale and Martha’s family) were all hungry (so were we), so we stopped at a taco shop called El Pescadillo for some fish tacos. Ian was NOT happy about this decision because he doesn’t like fish. The taco shop was stressing out Anahi because there were pigeons flying around inside looking for scraps.

Things were not looking good.

And then we ate.

And the world started to find balance again.

These tacos were incredible. Along with fish they had shrimp, and it turns out that Ian DOES like Shrimp. And the kids all got DRINKS (which we never get in the US), so they felt like they were living high on the hog. The birds left us alone. And I discovered (at Vale’s recommendation) the Queso-tote.

It was one of those food moments that you never forget.

The Queso-tote is a chile relleno topped with cheese and breaded and fried shrimp. Then it’s decked with coleslaw, pickled onions, cilantro ranch, and salsa. Paired with horchata or agua de Jamaica it’s a meal made in heaven. And for a moment, everyone’s fears were forgotten.

Until we started driving again.

Driving anywhere in Mexico is tricky. Driving in Nogales during rush hour in a big SUV while trying to follow Vale is just insane.

So I’m trying to follow Vale through this swarm of cars when suddenly his minivan starts smoking. This was not just a little smoke. Within a couple of seconds he was completely engulfed. Visibility dropped lower than in the freezing fog in Wyoming. Miraculously, nobody rear-ended him or us, and we were able to pull off to the side of the road. He checked it out, and everything looked like it was in order, so we just continued on. He said he had put some different oil in it, and it looked like the van had just needed to cough to clear its lungs a bit.

It seems like wherever we go the sunsets are different. In my mind, a Michigan sunset is deep purple. In Utah, they are pink and reflect onto the snowy mountains.. In Arizona and Mexico I think of bright red and orange skies behind a dark jagged mountain silhouette.

That’s exactly what we got on our way into Hermosillo.

I was driving so ... no picture. You’ll just have to imagine it.

After we arrived at the Ayala’s house, we headed over to the church to play basketball. And after that we went out for ... more tacos. These ones were street tacos -- cow cheek and carne adobada (meat soaked in paprika, oregano, salt, garlic, vinegar, and usually chipotle or ancho pepper).
They were transcendent.