On the road again – 09/15/08

So I suppose some of you may be wondering if the illegal alien ever made it out of Mexico?

I dropped Steve off at the airport, wished him a “buen viaje” (good trip), and set off for Belize. It took almost 5 hours to get back to the border. My book on tape was a life saver.

So I am approaching the border. Hmmm? What to do? What to do? Could I really get away with skipping Immigration again? Most of you know I like to play things by the book, so I figured I had better stop at Immigration on the way out...no need for a high speed chase into Belize. Right?

I pulled up to the tiny Immigration booth and got out. I showed the agent my passport and he asked, “Where is your tourist information form and stamp in your passport?” in Spanish. I had been using my Spanish all week, but now faced with a probable fine and reprimand I decided to play the “dumb American girl” who can’t speak Spanish. I explained to the agent what had happened on the way into Mexico and in his broken English he explained two times over that FIRST you have to stop at the Immigration building and NEXT you go through Customs. You don’t think I don’t know this!?!? I apologized. He said, “No stamp going in. No stamp going out. Go on.” Whoo hoo! I made it out of Mexico with no fine and no slap on the wrist.