This Is the Way?

As many of you probably realize, the style and tempo of life in Mexico differs so much from our usual. Today was a fun one. We are planning to take the van on an industrial commercial ferry to the mainland on January 26. (An 18 hour trip crammed in between semi-trucks, reportedly one of the more miserable boat rides on the planet. But hey, it will get us where we want to go.) As we were in the area, one of us (me) got the brilliant idea to go to the port to get tickets in advance--we had seen a YouTube video by a couple who had to wait a week and a half to get on because it was sold out. Without further ado, a play in one act, all in English to spare you the mistranslations (Paula handled most of this in Spanish, she’s a pro.):

Scene: We show up at the port and get in line behind a bunch of semis.

Us to security guy: Where do we go to buy advance tickets? Guy: Go park over there and go into that grey building. To lady at ticket counter: We want to buy tickets for January 26 ferry. Lady: You need to go to customs first. Go outside and around the corner. We go. Security guy: What are you doing here? Us: Lady told us to come here and talk to customs. Security guy: What are you here for? Sign this book. (For unclear reasons) Customs lady interrupts the unproductive book signing: How can I help? Us: Lady at ticket counter says we are supposed to show you our papers. Customs lady looks at papers: Let me see your vehicles. We go look at them, she checks paperwork against VIN. Customs lady: Looks good. Go get in line we need to weigh and measure your vehicles. I will wave you through customs. We go through the line. She points at a shack in the distance. Go there. (So we do.) Person in shack: No, not here. Go to the line. Us to security guard outside: We are supposed to get in line. Security guard outside: What ferry are you getting on? Where is your ticket? Us: We are not getting on ferry until the 26th. We don’t have a ticket. Security guy: Why are you here now? Us: To buy an advance ticket. Security guy: You need to go to the gray building. (Where we started) We cannot weigh you today. Drive past those cones and go around and back. We go to the gray building. Park. Bus driver: You cannot be here, move. We move. Go inside. Lady at counter (the first one we saw): I cannot sell you an advance ticket you need to buy it on the day. Us: Um . . . You could have said that in the beginning. We have been running around here for an hour. Lady: I will put your name down for the 26th as a reservation note. Buy your ticket when you get here. Us: OK. Thank you. Security guy outside: Go park over there. Us: Why? Security guy: That is where you wait to get in the ferry. Us: We are not getting on the ferry today. Security guy: Why are you here then? Us: We wanted to buy an advance ticket. Guy: You can’t do that. Us: We know that now. How do we leave? Guy: Turn around and go behind the gray building. Us: We just came from there. Guy: Go. You will see. We drive around. Follow some cars past some pylons. Find the way out. But first, Military checkpoint. Military guy: Hello where are you coming from? Us: We were in Loreto. Guy: that is in Baja. What ferry did you take? Us: None. We just drove here. Military guy: Why are you here? Us: We wanted to buy an advance ticket. Military guy: You can’t do that. Us: We know that now. Military guy: Well you are in the port, we will need to search your vehicle for you to leave. Passports please. Us: Here you go. Side Door opens. Axel barks. He sighs. Military guy: Ok you can go.

Can hardly wait to go back on the 26th! Stay tuned for the sequel!

(And they ended the day at a beach bar with a margarita.)

Selma