Late that night, we left the beautiful city of Juarez.

At the border crossing, the guard nonchalantly asked, "Any fruit or vegetables to declare?" and when we answered in the negative, he waved us through. No interrogation. No vehicle search. Nada.

As we passed back onto U.S. soil, the 67-year old Mom Known as Widow Martinez jokingly said, "We could've brought 30 pounds of cocaine back with us!"

Old people are often very wise.

In the end, The Artist Known As Jake Martinez didn't find a bride. His family had a girl all picked out for him about a year ago, but he wasn't ready then. She evidently got tired of waiting and found herself another sucker... whoops, I mean groom. An American boy who then brought her to the States. Now that Jake is ready, as his thirtieth birthday approaches, it seems it's slim pickings in Juarez as far as suitable brides go.

We never got out much further than a few miles from the U.S.-Mexico border, but had a nice time in Juarez all the same.

Saw the sights.

Drank the water.

Got the tattoo.

In other words, the usual things one does when in Mexico.

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RECOMMENDED READING: Texas Diaries, Pete's account of his trip to Texas (March 2003). Flying with post-9/11 airport security, a visit to the George Bush Presidential Library, et. al.