February 9, 2022
We made it. Yay! We arrived in
Guadalajara and remembered where to go, kind of. Our second trip back since
September and Immigration and Customs were right where we left them. We were excited, now experienced travelers, and happy to be back.
The unsmiling immigration agents did not share our enthusiasm. I think they must take classes on frowning. Efficiency 101, Art of the Scowl. The agent, not more than fourteen or fifteen, stamped my passport and the FMM forms we filled out on the plane. Now, with experience, I understand this is an important piece of paper that should not be stuffed in the back of my wallet. I need to give this back to the Mexican government to show I have not overstayed in Mexico. I don’t know what would happen if I didn’t have it when leaving, but I’m sure it would not be good.
We sailed through immigration because we are now seasoned travelers and picked up the checked bags. Beth insisted on using a cart to lug the suitcases to customs. A concession to age, a wise travel partner, and me even wiser, choosing not to argue.
We looked forward to playing another round of the Customs or No Customs Game, the Final Challenge. We cued up behind the other contestants, taking turns pushing the game button. The less skillful button pushers got a red light and an arrow directing them to customs where their bags were opened and their underwear fondled. I played the game the last time (skillfully avoiding the exposing of our unmentionables) and now it was Beth’s turn. She demonstrated a natural talent and stepped forward with grace and tenacity. In one fluid
motion, she firmly pushed the button with the confidence of a world traveler, turning the sign green. I cheered, (no one else did, including the Customs agent) and we strode towards the exit, pushing my cart, free to explore all of Mexico. Until we got to the red line, where they took away my cart.
Had I not been accosted by the cart police; I would have noticed the booth I just passed with TAXI in large letters above the window. After going to the cash machine (left past Starbucks) we lugged our luggage (Now I understand the word) outside. A quick trip back to the TAXI booth, where I paid 540 pesos for a trip to Ajijic. (about $26)
Being our first time getting a taxi from the airport, we used a method you are welcome to use. We came up to the line of taxis holding our TAXI Booth ticket and looked completely lost. A man in a yellow vest asked if we needed a taxi. The second I said yes, Ajijic, we were surrounded by people snatching our luggage and escorting us to the front of the taxi line. I gave up my receipt and the address of our Airbnb (pre-printed, large font, you are welcome) and seconds later we were motoring through rush hour traffic towards Lake Chapala.
Flat rate Taxi trips have a downside. The faster the taxi goes, the more money the taxi driver makes. I was both impressed and terrified by our driver’s skill. A skill devoid of traffic rules or, in my humble opinion, common sense. He must have spent a great deal of time playing video games because he drove like a Mario Kart racer. He got us to Ajijic without fatalities and we tipped him 100 pesos, the least we could do for not killing us.
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