Manipulated Mexico...

It was an absolutely beautiful day in South Texas today...no humidity and temps around 80. What a wonderful relief from the 100s. I didn't feel like sitting at home, so I decided to head out to Wimberley just to get out and enjoy the weather. Even though it was Market Days in Wimberley, I passed on that because I've been there a couple times and didn't feel traipsing through all those booths. I just went to the main downtown area and went through some of the shops. I brought my camera but ended up taking only one picture because I didn't feel like taking the same ol' photos.

Two of the shops I went into were jewelry stores. I'm not really in the market for any jewelry, but I was just killing time. The first one was run by a young Mexican woman. The reason I went in was because I saw a ring in the window that was identical to mine, only smaller.

I love fire opal because it reminds me of all the different hues of the water in Mexico. I actually liked the size of the ring I saw today better than mine, so I thought I'd ask how much it was out of curiosity. $175.00. Whoa! I bought mine on Isla Mujeres several years ago and paid $100.00 from a new shop that I had never been to before. Of course, the original price the salesman there quoted me was $400.00 US dollars, but you know you're never supposed to pay the first price. I'm a terrible bargainer, but I kept saying, "That's too high" (because it wasn't in my budget), and would start walking out the door and he would pull me back and offer less. Finally, it got down to $100.00, and I caved because it fit perfectly and I really wanted a fire opal ring. Anyway, I think I got a pretty good deal on it.

So, the Mexican lady at the jewelry store and I started to chat and, of course, we talked about Mexico. She has a relative who lives on Isla Mujeres...go figure...small world. I honestly felt like I had walked into a jewelry store somewhere south of the border.

Since I was going into almost every shop, I stopped in another jewelry store that also had fire opals. I think they're becoming more popular in the states. A woman about my age showed me what they had and, again, I started talking about Mexico and she told me that she used to live in Aruba and St. Thomas, and had been to Mexico many times in her BC (before children) years. She was a single lady who pretty much raised her kids on her own...just like me. Well, we ended up chatting for about a half hour about Mexico and how the lifestyle is so different down there and how much we miss it.

So, with my intention of taking pictures of Wimberley today, I ended up feeling nostalgic for Mexico and ended up coming home and playing with Photoshop with some of my Mexico photos. Photoshop has the ability to manipulate photos to look like works of art, so I just had some fun with it. In no particular order, I will just mention the technique used to achieve the effect...they're pretty interesting. Remember that you can click on them to enlarge them and get a better look.

Accented Edges...

Crosshatch...

Cutout...

Glass...

Ink Outlines...

Mosaic Tiles... (Recognize Qubano?)

Paint Daubs...

Plastic Wrap...

Rough Pastels...

Sponge...

Stamp...

Here's the original of that one...

And Watercolor...

Kind of interesting techniques, right? It would be fun to print them off to see what they would look like as frameable pictures.

So what's that one picture I took today in Wimberley? Here it is. Just having fun in a costume store. And, of course, they yelled at me for taking pictures. *sigh* Sometimes you just can't win.

Sol de Mexico

I was taking the back roads from New Braunfels to San Marcos and passed by this place...which I've passed by many times before. I've always wanted to stop in...and did just that today.

It's literally out in the middle of nowhere. But then again, so many places in Texas are out in the middle of nowhere. It's the Sol de Mexico...a little place that offers some wares that have a Mexican flavor. Well, you know my love for that Mexican flavor, so here we are.

They had some pretty large iron works out in front.

I wonder how my landlord would feel if I put some of these in my front yard?

I kind of like the roosters, but are you really going to find someone who wants these in their yard? Maybe there's a specific niche for them somewhere...like a chicken farm?

This guy was a little smaller. I like his sandals.

Nice little double swing, but it was so rusty, it probably would have broken if two people sat in it.

Metal "art"...I do like the one with the bird.

Frog planter...

I actually like these tiny little benches. They're certainly not built for comfort, but if you make a nice little cushion for the seat, these would be really cute.

So, now we're inside. Some Talavera-like pottery...

I do like the suns...

And some sinks...

They also had copper sinks. These were really cool, but I wonder how they would hold up as sinks. Doesn't copper get blue when it ages? Maybe they're treated with something. I wonder how they'd look after a few years.

Tile numbers...

This was a very eclectic place with everything from Jesus pictures to candles to furniture.

These urns were pretty neat..and only about $30. They would be a lot more at Pier 1.

I like the metal Mexican mirrors, but I'm not crazy about these. I get a little tired of the over-use of the Texas star down here in the Lone Star State.

As is evident here...

And here...

Call me crazy, but I kind of like these colorful lamp bases. I know...you definitely need a "theme" to use these, but what the hell.

I thought this was cute, too, but I didn't want to pay $25 for it.

It reminded me of the Mayan huipils that the women wear in the Yucatan...

A bucket of bobble-heads...

And vanilla. I don't know about you, but I had second thoughts about buying one of these when the temperature in this place was about 100 degrees and all of them had condensation inside. Maybe it's okay, but I'm just saying...

And a pencil drawing of Robert Duvall. (Huh??)

So, did I buy anything? Yeah...they had some clearance items for next to nothing.

And the frog spoke to me. I couldn't say "no".

On another note, when I walked into the store, the owner introduced herself and asked if I had any questions. I told her I lived nearby and just wanted to stop by because I love anything having to do with Mexico. She said, "Well, my store is a lot safer than actually going to Mexico." I'm thinking, "Really?? She sells Mexican stuff and she actually said that??"

**sigh** I just rolled my eyes and walked away. American people are really clueless about Mexico. But maybe that's a good thing, because when I go to Mexico, I really don't enjoy being around the obnoxious gringo Bubbas (or gringa Bubbettes). So, if they're afraid of going to Mexico, I'm all for it.

I was reading some Mexico blogs the other day and came across a couple that made an impression on me. I hope they don't mind my sharing their posts. One is Countdown to Mexico. She made the following comments about why she and her husband love living in Mexico:

Family love: Moms and teen daughters arm in arm. Large family groups laughing at restaurant tables.

People in love: Couples on benches sitting close together, talking and kissing oblivious of their surroundings.

Kids: But no sullen kids with hand held video games. Laughing kids chasing each other around the kiosko or walking arm in arm with their families, or painting ceramics with a group of other kids.

Dancing: Several couples danced in the street in front of the stage, people smiled their direction. Across from us, a couple walking by friends spun together for an impromptu dance on the sidewalk. She passed her purse to her friend and danced several songs, clearly loving the music and each other.

People sitting on benches: Like us, all the benches were occupied by people relaxing after a meal or a stroll. If you are on a budget and can't afford to eat out, you can still enjoy the music and the social environment and never spend a cent.

The air: Last night was so perfect. We sat there in our sleeveless dresses and bare legs enjoying the perfection. A bit of humidity to make the air feel smooth, the temperature absolutely perfect. A nice breeze rippled through now and then.

Smiles: I'll end this one, people smiled and smiled. And not just us, although I did my share. People here are happy, really know how to be happy. And usually all it takes is to be sharing a meal or a conversation with friends and family outdoors while enjoying some excellent music. It's contagious.

And the other one is from Viva Veracruz. This couple lives in Mexico and this is what they reported on a recent trip back to the states:

"It seems as if there is a pall over the U.S. There is an almost oppressive atmosphere that covers like a black cloud. We suppose it is the economy and the several wars that are bringing people down here in the U.S. Those issues are certainly downers.

The odd thing is here in the U.S. we are still first asked about the dangers and drug war in Mexico. Those problems have not surfaced in any way affecting our lives in Mexico. We continue to believe that bad press about Mexico is emanated here in the U.S. to keep from hearing that whooshing sound - the one that would be made from the mass exodus if people knew how much better life is in Mexico.

Sure, like everywhere, Mexico has its problems. But the difference in ambiance or spirit if you live in Mexico as compared to the United States is dramatic. Mexico is a benign and neutral republic. Its mellow and satisfied mood is not rubbing off or being affected by the very different almost panicky mood of Estados Unidos. Doom and gloom are not looming large over the head of Mexicanos.

Surely being the watchdog over the entire world has its drawbacks. Mexico's laissez-faire approach to foreign affairs seems to suit them just fine. And yes they do have their own drug war going on - but it seems to be almost solely confined to the participants of both sides of that issues - it si far removed from everyday life in Mexico."

So, there you have it...some of the reasons I love Mexico.

Nuevo Progreso...again...

Since it's been a whole five months since I've been to Mexico, I got the urge to drive down to Nuevo Progreso (NP) this weekend. I was there last September and even though it's not on the Caribbean with that beautiful blue water, I figured it would give me a little Mexican fix in the meantime. However, when I told people I was planning on doing this, they said, "WHAT?!?! ARE YOU CRAZY!?!? IT'S DANGEROUS DOWN THERE...ESPECIALLY ON A BORDER TOWN!!!" That didn't sway me.

Here's the usual Texas scenery on the way to just about anywhere in the state.

Somewhere around 50 miles north of the border on your way down, you hit a checkpoint where the border patrol checks cars in the northbound lane for various items they think you possibly shouldn't have. You don't get checked on the way down, but they do have about ten cameras set up on the right and left side of the highway taking pictures as you drive by.

Sidebar: I don't remember the cotton fields last year, but maybe I just wasn't paying attention. There were a lot of them.

Strange little plants.

So, it's about a 350 mile drive to the bridge. It takes just about as long to drive here as it does to fly to Cancun with a layover in Houston or Mexico City.

Here's the bridge where you can either drive over, or park in the lot off to the right for $2.00 and walk over.

I don't know what this sign is all about on this little grassy spot. Motorcycles maybe??

Last time when I was standing in about this same place, I got yelled at for trying to take a picture of a bunch of Homeland Security guys standing around. This year, I didn't even see anyone outside.

They have this nice little area on the U.S. side just before you cross...

Here's walking over the bridge looking back at the U.S. side...

And the Rio Grande River. It's a lot higher than it was last year. In fact, when I was thinking of coming down again, I e-mailed someone who works at the nearby Weslaco Chamber of Commerce to ask about the danger issue. She replied that the only problem was the recent flooding and they had to temporarily close the bridge for awhile because of that.

This is looking back at the U.S. side where the fence runs alongside.

As you drive down the highway, you can see it behind private homes...

Last year when I walked over the bridge, I could just see hats poking through the slits. These girls were getting a little bolder...but they looked like they were having fun.

So, here we are in Mexico...

Security was MUCH lighter this year. Last year, there was a tank sitting on the other side of this drive-through. No tanks this time.

Armed guards were still present, though, but they looked more bored (and hot) than anything.


Especially this guy, who was obviously on a little break. I don't know what this machine was...something about karaoke...but it seemed kind of ironic considering the fully loaded machine gun casually draped across his back.

Here's a view as soon as you go through the drive-through area...

And some other town shots...





Do you think they intentionally made the U.S.A. guy larger than the Mexican guy?

I did not try out the mechanical bull...

Shot to prove I actually was there...

I'm a big fan of suns and liked this ceiling painting...

Quite a few vendors. When I was stateside, I passed a bank with a sign noting that the temperature was 104 degrees. I think it had to be even hotter than that in NP with all the people, cement and vendors heating food.




Lots of colorful wares in the stores and on the streets. It was nice to be able to go into some of the shops to cool off.









Hammocks are very popular...

I'm not a cowboy boot expert, but these seemed very reasonably priced...

I'm guessing these were pinatas in the making...or maybe the poor man's pinatas. Haha!

There are four services that are advertised aggressively...



...and dermatology procedures which I didn't get a photo of.

Here's lunch. You had no idea how good that Dos Equis tasted after walking around for a couple hours in that heat. I drank it so fast, I didn't even bother to get a picture. The Enchiladas Tamaulipecas was very good.

But it's an easy spot for "little" vendors to come along and try to sell their wares. That didn't bother me, though. These little guys are very serious and it's hard to get them to smile. Even though they're brave enough to come up to you, they're very shy...but they always say "thank you" if you buy something from them. Who could resist these faces?



Or these? Haha! They came walking up and started singing. "No, no no!" I insist...but not before I got a picture.

Saw these guys a little later down the street. At least their outfits coordinate...ha!

People of all ages sell their wares...

This was a guy selling vegetable "curlers" and I stopped to see how it worked.

This little guy tried to sell me one of these candies for a dollar. I said, "A dollar!?!" like that was way out of my price range and the guy standing next to him laughed and said, "I think he means two for twenty-five cents." He smiled and I gave him a dollar for two. I'm a sucker for a cute face.


Some people, however, didn't want their picture taken. (Or I could have said he was just giving me a high five.)

They still have the elderly women sitting on the street for money like I saw last time.

So, after about four hours, I had had enough of the heat and headed back north. I took a different way back, but still had to go through a checkpoint. The guy in the car in front of me was an African-American driving a Volvo. The officers were looking at his driver's license and must have asked him to pop the trunk because one of them was standing behind the car with a drug sniffing dog. He raised the trunk and the dog looked very bored. Green light to the guy in the Volvo.

When I pulled up, they just asked if I was an American citizen. I held up my driver's license and said, "yes." They didn't even look at it and told me to go on. Geez...I must look totally boring. When I told my friend, Paul, he said, "Yeah, you don't look like a pot mule." Haha!

So, what did I score while I was there?

These are from the children...

I bought some of these last time I was in NP and love them. They are a perfect size for sauces and stuff you don't want to mix in with the rest of the food on your plate. My son broke the ones I had so I have looked all over for something similar, but haven't found anything I like. Well, I guess I had to come back to Mexico to find them. These probably would have sold for about $8.00 at the Mexican Market in San Antonio. Score for $2.95. Oh, yeah.

Some fire opal earrings to match my ring...

And...last but not least...the vegetable curler thingy. WAY cool. I love this thing. I don't know what I'll ever use it for, but when the time comes, I'll have one!

Adios, Nuevo Progreso. After 710 miles on my car, I don't think I'll be going back again soon...but it was fun.