Friday, 3/27/09
pictures at http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/album.php?aid=2020239&id=1296262065
Everyone was up and moving by 5:30 and we had the sleeping bags packed by 5:45. Pastor Martin and the family and Ruth and Luis from Mexicali all got up to see us off. After many more hugs, a few more tears and a couple of group photos, we were out of the parking lot by 6:20. It’s only about 10 minutes to the bor
der and it only took us about 40 minutes to wait in line and get across. Our waits have probably averaged a little over an hour so this was a quick year. Last year the border guards (Americans) got out all of the passports and matched up owners with each ID. This year they pretty much waved us all through.
We made it through San Diego and LA pretty much effortlessly. The weather was great and probably got to the mid-80’s. We maintained our usual stop every 2 hours or so alternating between gas and rest area. The kitchen ladies packed lunches for everyone so we ate on the grass beside a gas station. Jason, Jane and Robin all bought tamales from one of the vendors while we were in line at the border – a traditions started last year. Excellent tamales!! We shared a few of them at lunch.
We’re back in the land of pump your own gas and wash your own windows. Because labor costs are relatively low in Mexico, there were what we would consider a lot of employees at many places. At Wal Mart there were baggers at the end of every check-out register and at least two or three times the number of usual employees on the floor. At the gas stations there seemed to be at least one person for every two pumps and they did service the old-fashioned way. Even offered to check the oil! Our gas prices have been pretty consistent in the low to mid $2 a gallon range including the gas we bought in TJ, if my liter/peso/gallon/dollar conversion is right. We aid $2.60 at one stop but that was because some one had to really, really use the restroom.
We arrived at the Redding United Methodist Church at 7:15 and ordered pizza delivery. After 12 hours in the vehicles, everyone was glad to get outside and stretch t
heir legs in the sunshine. After team meeting, worship, a devotional led by Jane, and a time of sharing and remembering, we headed to bed with lights out at 10:00. Our goal is to be on the road by 8:00 tomorrow morning to finish the final leg of the trip. We should arrive back to Keizer around 3:00.
pictures at http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/album.php?aid=2020239&id=1296262065
Everyone was up and moving by 5:30 and we had the sleeping bags packed by 5:45. Pastor Martin and the family and Ruth and Luis from Mexicali all got up to see us off. After many more hugs, a few more tears and a couple of group photos, we were out of the parking lot by 6:20. It’s only about 10 minutes to the bor
der and it only took us about 40 minutes to wait in line and get across. Our waits have probably averaged a little over an hour so this was a quick year. Last year the border guards (Americans) got out all of the passports and matched up owners with each ID. This year they pretty much waved us all through.We made it through San Diego and LA pretty much effortlessly. The weather was great and probably got to the mid-80’s. We maintained our usual stop every 2 hours or so alternating between gas and rest area. The kitchen ladies packed lunches for everyone so we ate on the grass beside a gas station. Jason, Jane and Robin all bought tamales from one of the vendors while we were in line at the border – a traditions started last year. Excellent tamales!! We shared a few of them at lunch.
We’re back in the land of pump your own gas and wash your own windows. Because labor costs are relatively low in Mexico, there were what we would consider a lot of employees at many places. At Wal Mart there were baggers at the end of every check-out register and at least two or three times the number of usual employees on the floor. At the gas stations there seemed to be at least one person for every two pumps and they did service the old-fashioned way. Even offered to check the oil! Our gas prices have been pretty consistent in the low to mid $2 a gallon range including the gas we bought in TJ, if my liter/peso/gallon/dollar conversion is right. We aid $2.60 at one stop but that was because some one had to really, really use the restroom.
We arrived at the Redding United Methodist Church at 7:15 and ordered pizza delivery. After 12 hours in the vehicles, everyone was glad to get outside and stretch t
heir legs in the sunshine. After team meeting, worship, a devotional led by Jane, and a time of sharing and remembering, we headed to bed with lights out at 10:00. Our goal is to be on the road by 8:00 tomorrow morning to finish the final leg of the trip. We should arrive back to Keizer around 3:00.
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