Dec 06, 2013
Questions and answers
I went into Mazatlan the other day to get my hair done at Tippy Toes. So nice to have a real professional in town to do what needs doing. Colin joined me later and we just strolled around for a bit before ending up for a late lunch/early dinner at the Plazuela Machado. There were four restaurants open at 3 PM and we had no trouble finding a place to have a great meal. It is so wonderful that I can walk around town this year, such freedom.
Always so much to see on each street.
I have so many emails requesting information about this and that regarding Mexico I have decided to incorporate some of my answers into a blog post.
Susan H asks” I noticed in the picture of the computer with the magic jack phone plugged in. What do you use for internet when you are not plugged in at an RV park with internet? I am curious as that is something we are looking into for next year. Also I am curious about what you need to take your dogs across the boarder into Mexico. Anyway when you get settled on the Isla and have a free moment I would love to hear from you. “
Susan I’m not sure if you are referring to a US RV park or here in Mexico. In a recent post I explained that we have been using Verizon wireless but no longer. In Mexico if an RV Park has no internet than we don’t either. Here at Tres Amigos RV Park the wifi system is very good until it for some unknown reason drops off now and then. Fortunately that only happens about 1% of the time. As we need a new system for the USA we have decided to order a device that will allow us to create our own wifi hotspot whether we are in Canada, the US or here in Mexico. It is an unlocked device and we will just change the SIM cards depending on where we are. Many people already have ipads or Smart phones that you can do this with. We did not want the expense of buying something we would not use so came up with this device idea instead.
As to dogs or cats, you need to carry proof of their rabies shots as well as have your vet fill out an International Travel Certificate. I did a blog post in 2011 on this subject. In all our years of travel to Mexico we have only been asked to show our papers once while crossing back into the USA. I suggest that if your pets are on a special diet that you bring all your food with you.
Love the colors! Those birds are fake.
Lots of Christmas decorating taking place. Stylish.
Janet A suggested……Would it be worth a post to advise first timers what they SHOULD purchase in Canada or the US before crossing. You cannot buy Hawkins Cheezies in the US! So, have heard about mayonnaise and butter. What is the beef about bringing beef? We drink Carolyn’s every morning with our coffee, so like your Vino Blanco, we are going to ensure we have enough for our 65 day trip. May have to get inventive hiding it in our camper! Love the posts and pictures, look forward to seeing your posts every morning when I fire up the IPad.
Janet, what to bring is really is up to the individual. There are so many things that you can only get in Canada and then there are things I can only buy in the US. You can get mayonnaise here but it might not be your brand, you can get butter at the Mega store, it is from New Zealand, some like it and others hate it. If there is something you can’t live without, I suggest that you bring it with you. We bring a lot because we can and have the space plus I hate going into Mazatlan for basic groceries. You can get drinkable cheap wine here for about 90 pesos a bottle, too expensive for me. There is much cheaper wine available but I won’t drink it so I bring my own. Every year more and more items are being added to the shelves in the Mexican stores. At one time you could not get canned tomatoes nor mustard nor relish but those can now be found. Pickles are very difficult to find. Peanut butter in a jar tends to be the Jiffy type brand. If you like your peanut butter bring your own. Here in Mazatlan you can sometimes get fresh peanut butter at the organic market on Saturdays. It is a bit of an experiment as to what to bring. After your first visit you will know for the next time. As to beef, it is illegal to bring it into Mexico, their country so their rules. You can get beef here and many say it is even better than at home. Kahlua and Baileys are readily found here. Some food items are less expensive and others cost more than at home. I promise you won’t go hungry.
Every corner is different.
This little girl was all dressed up and just flitting around the Plazuela. Sorry for the blurry shot.
Snapped this from our table.
All so interesting and so much detail
Thank you to Jean R for information on where to find coconut oil in Mazatlan and a great link about it.
I only noticed on the trip back from Mazatlan that the pangas all have candy cane hook like handles to use for getting getting on and off. A great addition for us older folks.
Thanks for all of your emails, comments on the blog and questions. Love to answer them.
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You do seem to have found your niche in Mazatlan. Maybe you should try and get a referral fee from the Tourist Board! Keep having fun, and that Ipad deal from Millenicom is a really good deal if you do want a tablet. It’s unlocked, has international data, and is free in the States at least until March. I don’t know what the status of data in Mexico would be. It’s also capable of being a hotspot and providing net access to your other devices (like your Mac)
Take care, and stay warm. It’s cooling off a bit here in Indio for a week or so. Still, 60+F is not too hard to take.
Rod…thanks for your input.
George…..life is great here on the Isla.
nother wonderful sunset photo, makes us feel much warmer.