He was a sweetie. He was just such a surprise -- so many things in Mexico are just so wildly different than the US. Always something different. But I tell it like I see it. And I loved that movies brought us closer to some common denominator. I think my life would have been more in black and white than in technicolor w/out Mexico. And those OLD old references! But of course, Stallone and Schwarzenegger were the "It" guys of that time. Thanks for reading and commenting, as always.
You, Jeanine, are such a great storyteller! I was so worried about the customs officer and heaved a huge sigh of relief when he let you go. Great chapter!
Hey Jeanine - GREAT details and vivid descriptions of your feelings during the inspection. I haven't traveled in the past five years because of COVID and my cancer treatments, but I remember dreading to push the button. Fortunately, I never received a red light. Best regards.
Thank you Mikel. Mexico never fails to amaze. That entire situation threw me for a loop. But good old Hollywood saved the day. And such dated references, but guess that's what the US exported then. The button. That was the Only time I got red!
Fantastic post, Jeannine. I could feel myself cringing along with you and it made me remember our own customs and immigration adventures, both in Baja and IN PV, back in the 1990s. Scary fun!
I'll never forget a woman agent in PV looking at our visas, shaking her head and quietly saying, "something is not right here..." She was right. But we all fudged a bit back then, and luckily we were always forgiven.
It's interesting how people can find common ground in unlikely places. It's a relief you didn't get a fine before the holidays! I love the name Casa Maya!
So true. Very lucky he didn’t detain me. I’m really not sure why bc before we got into the name game he’d already seen lots of incriminating evidence. But, airport freight still looms…
thank you and a fun read! I had a mini version of this happen to me when I emigrated to Mexico with two suitcases, at the Merida airport. How can I send you a direct message with a question?
Hola Ellen! Yes, getting stopped is no fun. I've only flown into Merida once--at the time it was Super tiny, even difficult to get a taxi into town from there. I will go ahead and DIRECT MESSAGE you - you should be able to reply. Otherwise I think I have your email and will try that. Saludos!
The more I travel, the more I crave those moments that make me feel small and strange — the Yucatan jungle is one of those places that gave me the shivers. When you described the smell you brought it all back. Thank you. 🙏
Thank you Elizabeth! The smell is so overpowering. I'm glad it registered with you. And yes, I never fail to be amazed at the Fellini-like quality life in Mexico brings.
I'm so glad you wrote this book! There are just so many memorable incidents and stories that had to be told - Including this one! How you engaged the customs agent and encouraged that common bond/connection was brilliant. I also appreciated your comments early on about the jungle and the natural world there - "We had merely borrowed this land, these buildings, that tarmac" and also the reference to the sense of smell, which truly is so powerful.
Barbra, you know how powerful and strong the decaying jungle smell is. I had to describe it to the best of my ability. Paul and I always comment on it. It’s’coming home.’
Thank you, Holly! It was one of the weirder episodes in our ongoing saga. I couldn't believe he never turned me in to his supervisors. I probably would've ended up in airport jail, haha. Or more likely in a slow-motion administerial meltdown ending in a huge peso pay-out.
The dreaded red light! For me, it is more about the inconvenience of having to delay my departure from the airport. I haven't had to worry about toasters and hams (although I often bring in vitamins and supplements, and wonder if they'll raise suspicion). I totally agree that creating some rapport - some common bond - with Mexican officials who have the power to majorly inconvenience you - is important. A positive and friendly demeanor goes a long way - good for you for getting through it with contraband intact!
Oh, reading this I had that same customs anxiety I felt bringing things to Costa Rica! We would try not to bring much but one time I didn’t declare these lights (which you couldn’t find anything like it in Costa Rica so..) and I was given a stamp in my passport that I was banned from bringing anything in to the country for 6 months. When they took my passport from me and were speaking so fast to explain what was going on, I had such a panic over not having my passport I almost cried. Got the lights in, but from then on didn’t bring anything I was too scared! 😂
It's very scary. I always hate going through customs. After the house was finished, and NAFTA passed, it was easier to find products. But prior, things were pretty crummily made. Not sure if that was the same in CR or not. Now, pretty much everything's in MX.
Great story, Jeanine. The suspense did build and the conclusion proves that "making nice" usually works much better than being contentious.
He was a sweetie. He was just such a surprise -- so many things in Mexico are just so wildly different than the US. Always something different. But I tell it like I see it. And I loved that movies brought us closer to some common denominator. I think my life would have been more in black and white than in technicolor w/out Mexico. And those OLD old references! But of course, Stallone and Schwarzenegger were the "It" guys of that time. Thanks for reading and commenting, as always.
You, Jeanine, are such a great storyteller! I was so worried about the customs officer and heaved a huge sigh of relief when he let you go. Great chapter!
Thanks so much, Priya! Coming from a storyteller of the first degree, that means a lot!
Hey Jeanine - GREAT details and vivid descriptions of your feelings during the inspection. I haven't traveled in the past five years because of COVID and my cancer treatments, but I remember dreading to push the button. Fortunately, I never received a red light. Best regards.
Thank you Mikel. Mexico never fails to amaze. That entire situation threw me for a loop. But good old Hollywood saved the day. And such dated references, but guess that's what the US exported then. The button. That was the Only time I got red!
Fantastic post, Jeannine. I could feel myself cringing along with you and it made me remember our own customs and immigration adventures, both in Baja and IN PV, back in the 1990s. Scary fun!
Thanks Jennifer. Always hate customs to this day.
I'll never forget a woman agent in PV looking at our visas, shaking her head and quietly saying, "something is not right here..." She was right. But we all fudged a bit back then, and luckily we were always forgiven.
That’s good. Mexico has a unique way of ‘managing.’
It's interesting how people can find common ground in unlikely places. It's a relief you didn't get a fine before the holidays! I love the name Casa Maya!
So true. Very lucky he didn’t detain me. I’m really not sure why bc before we got into the name game he’d already seen lots of incriminating evidence. But, airport freight still looms…
thank you and a fun read! I had a mini version of this happen to me when I emigrated to Mexico with two suitcases, at the Merida airport. How can I send you a direct message with a question?
Hola Ellen! Yes, getting stopped is no fun. I've only flown into Merida once--at the time it was Super tiny, even difficult to get a taxi into town from there. I will go ahead and DIRECT MESSAGE you - you should be able to reply. Otherwise I think I have your email and will try that. Saludos!
The more I travel, the more I crave those moments that make me feel small and strange — the Yucatan jungle is one of those places that gave me the shivers. When you described the smell you brought it all back. Thank you. 🙏
Thank you Elizabeth! The smell is so overpowering. I'm glad it registered with you. And yes, I never fail to be amazed at the Fellini-like quality life in Mexico brings.
I loved the way you described the details of this scene--and the way it turned out!
Thank you Clarice!!
Great story!
Thank you Reta!!!
I'm so glad you wrote this book! There are just so many memorable incidents and stories that had to be told - Including this one! How you engaged the customs agent and encouraged that common bond/connection was brilliant. I also appreciated your comments early on about the jungle and the natural world there - "We had merely borrowed this land, these buildings, that tarmac" and also the reference to the sense of smell, which truly is so powerful.
Barbra, you know how powerful and strong the decaying jungle smell is. I had to describe it to the best of my ability. Paul and I always comment on it. It’s’coming home.’
What an encounter! I love it. It’s a testament to connection and how important it is to us all. Great post, Jeanine!
Thank you, Holly! It was one of the weirder episodes in our ongoing saga. I couldn't believe he never turned me in to his supervisors. I probably would've ended up in airport jail, haha. Or more likely in a slow-motion administerial meltdown ending in a huge peso pay-out.
Dah! Neither sounds ideal. So glad you avoided it and that you had this memorable momentary connection to share.
The dreaded red light! For me, it is more about the inconvenience of having to delay my departure from the airport. I haven't had to worry about toasters and hams (although I often bring in vitamins and supplements, and wonder if they'll raise suspicion). I totally agree that creating some rapport - some common bond - with Mexican officials who have the power to majorly inconvenience you - is important. A positive and friendly demeanor goes a long way - good for you for getting through it with contraband intact!
So true about some bonding, if possible. Those days of bringing massive amounts of stuff-long gone. Mexico basically has everything!
Is that a Rolling Stones reference in the title??
Yes!!!! In the book many chapter titles are named after songs.
I love that, and I LOVED this chapter. Great read!!
Thank you! It was fun reliving it when I wrote it. Mexico is so strange.
Thanks for restack, Daniel!
Oh, reading this I had that same customs anxiety I felt bringing things to Costa Rica! We would try not to bring much but one time I didn’t declare these lights (which you couldn’t find anything like it in Costa Rica so..) and I was given a stamp in my passport that I was banned from bringing anything in to the country for 6 months. When they took my passport from me and were speaking so fast to explain what was going on, I had such a panic over not having my passport I almost cried. Got the lights in, but from then on didn’t bring anything I was too scared! 😂
It's very scary. I always hate going through customs. After the house was finished, and NAFTA passed, it was easier to find products. But prior, things were pretty crummily made. Not sure if that was the same in CR or not. Now, pretty much everything's in MX.