Apparently the neighbor whose wireless network mom hacks into has turned his router back on, because today, folks, WE HAZ TEH INTRAWEBS! Hoot and holler!
Here are the pictures I couldn't upload yesterday on our one bar of connection:
The mountains in the distance, and LOOK! Palm Trees! I don't think palm trees are actually native to Arizona, but they sure do make me feel like I'm on vacation.
People go out into the desert and dig up cactii and bring them home for their yards.
This is the neighbor's tree. With real oranges. Right. In. The. Backyard.
For you folks who live south of the Mason-Dixon I realize this is not such a big deal. But for this western yankee? HUGE. ORANGES!!!
I got up early today, since my father started off asking loudly around 6:30 AM, "Where's Mary? When is Mary getting up?" I love my father. Years of therapy have helped with that.
Mom and I headed across the border to Algodones for a trip to the pharmacy and lunch with a family friend, who is a Mexican citizen and who practices dentistry there. I came home with 100 zyrtec for the unbelievable price of $6.95, two blankets, some goodies for the kids, and a couple of pieces of silver jewelry that are almost guaranteed to tarnish immediately. I love the vendors in their stalls, they are all so very friendly and very aggressive, albeit in a friendly way. "Come in here! Hey! I remember YOU!" Of COURSE you remember me, because I've NEVER BEEN HERE BEFORE. "How much for this bracelet?" "$25." "Oh, ok, sorry." "Wait! Don't leave! I'll sell it to YOU for $10!" Wow. I didn't even try haggling at first, I had to watch my mother do a few rounds before I really got the hang of it.
We got a kilo of fresh shrimp from a corner vendor. You would NOT BELIVE the size of these shrimp. In fact, I'm not sure they aren't baby lobsters, they are so big. We are having them for dinner, and I'm drooling in anticipation.
I am disappointed in myself, though, because I brought my camera down to Algodones, but I failed to take any pictures. It is a pretty little town, for a border town. The only marker I have for comparison is a trip in 1987 to Tijuana. However, compared to TJ, I'm pretty sure even an outhouse would seem clean and pretty. No, Algodones is very nice, and the people there are really friendly and enjoyable. It was a fun excursion. If I don't have anything better to do on Monday I'll probably go back with my camera and take a few pictures.
The prices for pharmaceuticals, glasses and dentistry are really amazing down there, and I can sure see why living here is appealing for senior citizens on fixed incomes. Almost anything you need, you can get there, for next to nothing.
Coming back across the border the CBP agent was nice enough to point out to me that my passport, which is 4 years old, was not valid because I'd never signed it. She gave me a pen, smiled at me, and let me back in anyway.
Not having a million things to take care of is a little disconcerting, but I think I can get used to this for at least a few days.
