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Nadine's avatar

“Of course,” he nodded, his eyes never leaving mine. “I am in charge.”

I love his security. I REALLY hope this cliffhanger proves that he is not only in charge, he's a man of his word...

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Jeanine Kitchel's avatar

Well, he definitely was in charge -- and straight outa Central Casting. Quite scary looking dude. And he pulled through.

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Nadine's avatar

Thank goodness, I was worried! The lady in Belize could be a Fawlty towers character, underappreciated and vocal about it!

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Jeanine Kitchel's avatar

Funny. I'm just glad when I threw our passports under that little glass window I didn't throw too hard, haha.

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Duwan Dunn's avatar

Wow! Looking forward to hearing how this turned out. I hate border crossing. I always feel on edge. But this sounds seriously scary.

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Janice Anne Wheeler's avatar

Your approaching in the darkness sentence brought me back to a border crossing in Arizona, another place and dangerous time. You have me enthralled. ~J

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Jeanine Kitchel's avatar

Thanks for restack @EpicGonzo

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Jeanine Kitchel's avatar

Thanks for restack @Daniel Catena

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Daniel Catena's avatar

What a story, Jeanine! It sounded stressful. Border crossing can be so uncertain. I was hoping there'd be honesty but it's too bad they put you in a difficult spot. So riveting!

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Jeanine Kitchel's avatar

Thanks Daniell!

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Jeanine Kitchel's avatar

One can’t expect a lot at border crossings imho. Only the desire to get to the other side, unscathed.

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Daniel Catena's avatar

It’s a basic necessity when traveling but so important!

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Paulette Bodeman's avatar

Phew, I was holding my breath. And I still am anticipating what happens next.

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Jeanine Kitchel's avatar

Thanks for reading Paulette! In about 10 days all will be revealed!

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Paulette Bodeman's avatar

I look forward to reading it, Jeanine.

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Thalia Toha's avatar

Jeanine- The feeling of being in no-man’s land. Yikes, such an unnerving feeling. And you’ve captured it beautifully. There’s also something about the thumping sound of a stamp, isn’t it? I sometimes want to hear it! How’s the bookstore doing this week, Jeanine? Cheers, -Thalia

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Jeanine Kitchel's avatar

Thanks Thalia. Yes, an unnerving time. We sold the bookstore a few years ago as we wanted to re- retire—lay on the beach, snorkel, see more pyramids and travel farther than only in our days off. We never thought it would take off, but it did. The people we sold to are also book lovers big time and the store continues to thrive. Thank you for asking!

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Jeanine Kitchel's avatar

Thanks for restack @Bernardette Hernández

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Brenna's avatar

oh my goodness, I'm sweating reading this jeanine!!! You definitely hit the nail on the head with the tension.

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Jeanine Kitchel's avatar

It was horrible. And as we closed the store each summer (low season) to go north to replenish our book inventory, accountant said by law we could temporarily close for immigration purposes—and our FM 3s. He ‘forgot’ to put in temporary closure the summer quarter immigration noticed ( of course).

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Marlo Leaman's avatar

Oh, I always hated border crossings too! Crossing from Costa Rica to Panama, many times gringos could just do the 15-min turn around…and many times nope. Depended as you encountered on el jefe, and if you had to pay him. Can’t wait to find out what happened!!

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Jeanine Kitchel's avatar

We were shocked when el colonel told us — you’ll be back in 15 minutes—then reality check at Belize immigration. Always an adventure!!!!! Hate border crossings.

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Harrison's avatar

Fascinating read! I’m Harrison, an ex fine dining industry line cook. My stack "The Secret Ingredient" adapts hit restaurant recipes (mostly NYC and L.A.) for easy home cooking.

check us out:

https://thesecretingredient.substack.com

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Clarice Dankers's avatar

Talk about leaving your readers hanging, Jeanine! I am really anxious to hear what happened next! This reads like fiction--I can't imagine what it would have been like to have actually experienced it.

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Skylar Renslow's avatar

Wow! What a wild story. I also feel like I get irrationally nervous around border crossings, but fortunately I've never had anything quite like that!

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Jeanine Kitchel's avatar

It was awful as you could tell. If we didn’t have a business and an incompetent accountant creep, we probably could have done it on our own. His lackadaisical forgetfulness of paying a quarterly tax got us in hot water. When I asked him for the form requested by immigration, if he’d given it to me with his fine $, we could have probably slid. But nooooo. No sliding for you, haha. A wild ride for sure. That’s why not many expats open businesses in MX. Imho.

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Emese-Réka Fromm's avatar

Wow, Jeanine! What a nightmare! Border crossings are always scary, especially in the dark, but to have to leave your car behind adds a whole other layer of terrifying! Can't wait for the next installment!

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Jeanine Kitchel's avatar

Thanks Emese. Leaving the car was wacky but there was no telling the colonel anything different. He was Really scary, straight out of Central Casting.

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Emese-Réka Fromm's avatar

I can only imagine! I mean I've had my share of scary border crossings, but this tops it all! Obviously, it worked out (after all, you did end up opening the bookstore), but it is a great read. Scary situation, but great writing!

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Jeanine Kitchel's avatar

Thanks Emese. I think if we’d had a mentor, but our contractor was the closest we got, and he’d already offered up a funky immigration atty the year earlier, a very lackluster accountant, and that freakish customs broker. Granted, Joe is a great contractor, but I think part of the problem is the pool of good workers/service people was limited at that time in QRoo—it being such a young state. In CDMX or Merida, I am positive a more mature and trusted, knowledgeable base can be found. Our notary was from Merida, Rafael Garcia, and he was top drawer.

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R. S. Hampton, Thriller Author's avatar

This is insane!

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Jeanine Kitchel's avatar

Yes. That it was. Whose competing view does one follow? All will be revealed. . . ):

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