Tecate, Mexico

Yesterday we drove the 40 or so miles to Tecate, Mexico, to meet Brandy's mom, Anita, and stepdad Don, for lunch in a little restaurant in the Tecate village square.















Th square was filled with trees shedding leaves in the breeze, and the sound of piano accordians, guitars and singing.

The picture quality on the video below is very poor, but it gives a sense of the music and ambience; ambience sometimes magnified by two or more groups playing different music to different tables at the same time.































In stark contrast to Tijuana, there were virtually no tourists here. We were almost the only gringos in town.

The American appetite for the cheaper medical treatment and pharmaceuticals available in Mexico was, however, clearly visible, with the main street lined with dentists, optomestrists, and pharmacies.











































The border itself epitomises the incredibly lopsided nature of US-Mexican relations.




From the US side, entering Mexico is just a matter of strolling across the border. No border control at all for those 0n foot.





It is, of course, a different story coming back into the U.S., although there are those who do not accord the US Border Patrol the respect it deserves:



























After lunch we wandered around a little, taking in the gigantic Tecale beer factory











and an ice cream.
















































The afternoon was very hot, so we returned to the cafe for another fresh limonade,



















Before deciding it was time to return home for a siesta.




























This kind of Mexico, in contrast to the desparateness that is Tijuana, we would like to visit again.