Quote:
Originally Posted by vegaspilgrim
Nogales-- now that's an interesting idea! Are you talking about the Arizona side or the Mexico side? Do you think it's worth going down there to check it out?
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I don't spend much time on the American side. Just park there and walk over. The duty-free shop is about my only pit stop.
On the other side there's a quite lively main drag and some other side streets with various shops. It's actually a pretty big city, but that's the only area I spend time in. There are a few little squares, a church, a school...
Here are a few pictures to give you an idea what it looks like:
I have a favorite restaurant and a favorite coffee shop. The restaurant's name is El Oasis. I like sitting on their balcony over a busy intersection. I don't generally like Mexican food and the first few times I went there I was ordering some stupid steak and fries... just to fill my stomach with something... when I saw something interesting being brought to the table next to us! I want what they're having, I said!
It wasn't even on the English menu (they had another location which closed many years ago - that's where I first discovered it). The dish looked like a bubbling stew in a stone ball (same balls they use to crush corn). It's called molcajete (my understanding is that molcajete is actually not the name of the dish, but of the ball). I think it was called just molcajete at first... then it was changed to Fajita de Molcajete. It can be ordered with beef, chicken, shrimp, etc. The rest consists of ham, bacon, cheese, and a very yummy sauce. Looks pretty much like this, but it comes bubbling and stays warm till you're finished.
As a new American I couldn't eat even half of it
, but now can take good care of it all!
Then I walk my stuffed tummy some more, have a cappuccino in a cute courtyard cafe, and head back.
Nogales used to get a lot more American visitors on weekends in the past. Many were going for prescription meds, too. It was funny to watch in the afternoon people carrying many bags crossing their respective border... thinking they got the best deal on the other side.
The common "greener pastures" mentality we all have!
With the instilled paranoia of recent years and the required American prescription for the meds, the flocking dwindled significantly. For this reason everybody gets the vendors' undivided attention!
If you go as a couple, you'll be welcomed by "hey, honeymooners!" and be offered Viagra for some odd reason.
The other day I found out I still qualify for the "supermodel discount."
"Seniorita, let me show you my junk... it's beautiful junk... not as beautiful as your eyes, but still beautiful!"
If you go for the first time, it's fun... after a while it gets old. I totally understand they have to make a living, too, but you practically can't walk down the streets in peace. This time (since I was by myself) I tried a new trick a few times and it worked - "no ingles, no espanol!"
They just can't comprehend why people like you and me would go down there... They think you're there for shopping alone.
If you decide to go, gimme a holler. I'll tell you where exactly the goodies are.
It's not for everybody, but judging by what I've read from you, you'd probably enjoy at least one visit.
Oh, btw, overheard something at the border about the need for birth certificates next month, so take your passport just in case. This requirement was supposed to come into effect much later... I'm sure it'll be announced in the local papers when time comes.