Viva Mexico

Algodones is booming because of Snowbirds and dentists. For the winter months about 300 Mexican dentists are moving to the little town and work there. The service is much cheaper than in the US or Canada, its good so customers are coming all winter every day by the thousands, business is booming. There is a huge pay-parking lot on the US side, and almost everybody just walks across the border. I was surprised, I did not see a single Mexican uniform while crossing the border, it was like a walk in the park and you are in Mexico. (Not so when you are coming back)
Once you are in Mexico, after the dentist appointment you can shop 'till you drop in the 4 block area, souvenir shops, folk art, cheap liquor, good food and of course a bunch of junk. We had the best fish and shrimp tacos in Algodones, those courtyard restaurants are simply awesome. Before we headed back we did buy a 1,5 litre bottle of Margarita for 3,50 US and a big bottle of Kahlua for 8,50 US. Coming back to the US side is was a bit more than an hour waiting in line but its good business for some locals. There are rickshaw like bicycle taxis, can carry 4 passengers and for 8 bucks you get a ride across the border. This way you can bypass the long line because you cross the border on a "vehicle" and business is booming. We had a good time and will visit again when we are in the area. The only thing bothering my eye is to see those really nice blankets and all kind of native art next to the baseball and hockey shirts but I understand that everybody wants to make a living.

She is making T shirts right in front of the store. She explains to my wife how to decorate it with beads.

Amigo the beadmaker.

Window in Algodones.

4 square blocks of Dentists Offices, Pharmacies, shops and restaurants, that's Algodones.

Mariachi band at the restaurant.

The courtyard restaurants are my favorites.

Coming back was an hour waiting in line.

Slab City to Algodones

Heard so much good and bad stuff about Slab City that we wanted to see it but never had enough time. Finally on this trip we could visit the place because it's only a few hundred yards from Salvation Mountain. We asked some RV-ers for directions and it was funny to see their reaction: "I would never ever stay there again, I couldn' sleep all night, I didn't like it." Others said: "It's an interesting place, you have to see it. If you grew up and have been happy in the hippy era you will love it.  Now I really wanted to see it. The place gets it's name from the concrete slabs still in the ground, the only remains of a WW II military base. Today it's called: " The Last Free Place in America." and trust me it is. You are going to feel it after you drive around and check it out. There are some permanent residents who brave the 120 degree summers but most people are snowbirds on a low budget here for the winter months. But the population is much more colorful: recession refugees from young to age of 89, hippy souls, bikers passing through, modern Gypsy Kids and so on. Some live here with family and kids and telling you: the kids are just as safe as in any big city. The whole place is a bit Wild West, regulating itself, in more serious cases the Border Patrol is always around chasing illegal immigrants. The few die hard souls living here full time said: it's not for everyone but if you like freedom this is the happiest place on Earth. But...I need a bit more time to adjust although I have a feeling for the place but....what really hurts my eye is garbage everywhere. Abandoned shelters left behind with tons of garbage around them and more garbage all over the place. I will visit next time as well maybe spend a few days there, definitely would like to meet more locals. For now we are headed for Algodones, the border town and "Mexican Dentist's Paradise". More about it next time.

Welcome to Slab City

Some brave fulltimer souls

They have their own Church, Library...., weekend concerts, dance at the campfire....

You feel like in the Mad Max movie

My only problem: too much garbage all over the place....

Washed the VW for the first time on this trip.

Spent the night ( and some cash) at the Quechan Casino. They have a huge parking lot for RV-s and it's only 1 mile from the border.

Tomorrow's plan: walk to Mexico

Following the hood south.

We had an ugly, rainy and busy winter and I have a new job. I have to go to Vancouver 4 days a week, driving a truck and hauling food. Like the new job, a lot less headache than the management was before. Because of my new job we couldn't take any time off but after a while it hits me again: we got to go!!! We used to go every winter but this winter was just crazy, -2 in the Palm Springs area, much colder than usual in Arizona too. My wife said: I do not go 'till it's at least 25 C or more. And it hasn't been for a long time. Last week it was finally getting better, short chat with the boss, no problem, you can go for 2 weeks he said, but only after mid-March, somebody else booked a trip ahead of me. I have a friend, when I ask him where he is headed he always answers: following the hood south. The plan is: strait down south to Las Vegas, Yuma, walk across the border to Algodones, Margarita, Taco, some sunburn and burn some fuel coming home.

Poor motor home spent the winter parked. It's not designed for neither is it's owner.

From our place we follow the hood south for about 3 days and on the other side of the gate all kind of goodies....
(Wikipedia photo)

....are waiting. Like Margaritas.... (Wikipedia photo)

.......and driving trough the desert on the way home is always beautiful. Stay tuned!