Lunch in Mexico

Bob and I have been thinking about running over to Los Algodones, Mexico for lunch, so on Friday we did just that. Yuma is so close to Algodones that we left our campground at 10:45 am, and a half hour later we were passing through the turnstiles and walking onto Mexican soil.

The walkway into Algodones. The flag front left is the American flag and off to the right you can see the Mexican flag.

We decided to look for "The Mines" (las Minas) because our neighbors at the campground, Kay and Steven, recommended that store for a fun jewelry shopping experience. I had been Googling and was unable to find any mention of its location through Internet search. We started off along a side street to the right.

But I got distracted along the way when this poncho caught my eye.

I liked that it was wool, it wasn't too long, that it had a collar, and that the fringe went all along the curved shaping of it. The vendor offered it to me for $36 and I bargained him down to $22, which was a good deal. It would have cost me more than that to buy yarn to weave it. Plus I can use it as a pattern to make a similar one, one day.  If you are on Ravelry, I put construction details here.

After we concluded the sale, I asked the vendor where we could find las Minas. He offered to take us there since the shop owner was a friend of his, and led us over to the shop.

I was glad he did, because we never would have found it otherwise! The sign is small. If you are looking for it, here's how to locate it. When you enter Los Algodones, go straight past the Purple Store, for one block. You'll see this building on the corner. 

 Turn left down this side street and you'll come to The Mine on your left. It's easy to miss.

Inside we were introduced to Señor Ramos, the owner and jewelry designer. We were offered a free drink or two, either beer, or tequila mixed with a lovely liqueur that tastes very yummy. We might have had a couple. American jewelry stores should do this!

Señor Ramos weighed out the earrings I chose, and also showed us some of his special jewelry designs in Australian opals. They were more money than we wanted to spend but I did come home with these lovely little palm trees.

We said goodbye to Señor Ramos after eliciting a recommendation for a place to go for lunch. He was happy to suggest a restaurant right across the alley and up the stairs, called the Alamo Restaurant.

We found the food to be very good and not expensive, and my poncho was the perfect weight to keep me comfortable on the terrace. 

Bob and I finished with lunch and decided to head back to Yuma. The line to pass through Customs was pretty long but we were entertained by men playing accordions and women offering to sell us trinkets. The Customs agents glanced at our passports and bid us a good day with a smile.

We will be back most likely in January, when we have our annual teeth cleaning. Unless we go to San Luis, which is a temptation for me to visit another border town. We shall see!