One of the other campers, Dale, has been hiking up the hill in front of Hacienda Contreras two or three times a week. We've been up there before too, but we decided to forgo our daily power walk in favor of a morning hike.
Dale and Ruth. Dale is 75 years old, and he does this hike with no problems!
A little higher up, you get a nice view of the valley where the campground is located.
And a nice view of the town of Valle de Juarez.
In an interesting coincidence with our story, today (March 18) is a civic holiday here in Mexico. It celebrates the anniversary of the expropriation of all oil reserves, facilities, and foreign oil companies that took place on March 18, 1938 when then president Lazaro Cardenas decided that Mexican oil fields belonged to Mexico. He kicked out all of the American, British, and Dutch oil companies who were operating and nationalized the assets into a company called Petroleos Mexicanos, or more commonly known as Pemex.
We noticed on our recent drive through Mexico to Guatemala and back that there are a LOT of new Pemex gas stations being built. Although Pemex is a state run oil company, the gas stations where you buy your gasoline in Mexico are all private franchises, just like McDonalds. The price of gasoline in Mexico has risen from 7 pesos per litre in 2007 to 11 pesos per litre in 2013. Is it possible that franchisees make a percentage of the fuel sold and therefore it's become a very profitable endeavour to own a Pemex franchise? That's my guess, although I could be wrong.
Hacienda Contreras on the left, and the new Pemex being constructed on the right.
They've been bringing in a lot of fill to level up the property closer to the height of the roadway. It's caused a little bit of noise and dust during the week, but not as bad as we thought it might be. Obviously we would prefer that the whole thing wasn't happening, but there's nothing that can be done to stop it, so it is what it is. If we look at the bright side, it may be that this Pemex will bring telephone lines and therefore a steady source of high speed internet to the area. It might even bring some long needed improvement to the road surface out front! Also, there is also supposed to be an OXXO convenience store on the property so if any campers needs to buy anything at the store it will be very convenient indeed! Need to fill up with fuel when you leave? Just go right next door.
Of course there may be some downside to it as well, but at least most of the construction will take place over the next two or three months when there won't be many campers here anyhow. When the campers return next fall it should be all up and operating.
Heading into town this morning. I have a dentist appointment for 11:00am, just a cleaning and checkup. Don't mind going to the dentist here in Mexico because you don't feel like you've been raped when it comes time to pay the bill!
Made delicious shish kebabs on the BBQ.
Mmmmmouth watering good!
The new Pemex will be handy for the campers there, but probably increase traffic and noise levels fro trucks parking there.
ReplyDeleteI don't think it will increase the traffic but not sure how the noise level will. Only time will tell.
DeleteI'm not sure I'd want a new gas station right next door to my campground. Sound noisy to me. Haven't had kabobs for a long time. Thanks for the idea. They look wonderful.
ReplyDeleteI look at how many campgrounds are parked right next to busy interstate highways and people still camp at them but we are all hoping that it won't be too noisy.
DeleteOur kabobs were delicious hope yours will be too!
Dinner looks very tasty! I am not an RVer but a travel nut(and fellow Canucker - Vancouver Island) and just started following your blog a couple weeks ago - spent several evenings reading all of your posts to the beginning! All this talk of cheap dentistry means that the next time we are in or near Mexico I am definitely going to take advantage as we are self employed and pay 100% of our own medical and dental. Cheers!
ReplyDeleteI can't believe that you took the time to go that far back, sure hope you enjoyed them.
DeleteWe have said that you could spend the money that you would use to get your teeth fixed in Canada/USA and use it to have a week's vacation in Mexico and get your teeth fixed. It would probably work out to about the same price and this way you would get a holiday down south out of it as well. Mind you that is only good if you are having any major work done. Any work that we have had done here in Mexico has been far cheaper and just the same quality as what we would have received back home.
Nope we don't want a Pemex there either, really spoils our country atmosphere, but nothing we can do about it. The fact that there are few zoning laws here, means you can build what you want where ever you want but so can your neighbor...OH well, we will see.
ReplyDeleteKevin and I have said many times that Canada and the USA have far too many rules/laws and Mexico sometimes doesn't have enough and this is one of those times.
DeleteStay positive Barb, I am sure this will just be a little blip!
How much for the teeth cleaning? Do you guys have to leave every 6 months to renew your visa?
ReplyDeleteWhen I (Ruth) got mine teeth checked and cleaned there last year it was 200 pesos ($16/$17) so we expect it to be the same this time.
DeleteWe have only once stayed in Mexico past the 6 month tourist visa permit time and that was last year at this time and yes, we had to leave the country and then return back in and get a new one.
It is going to happen so look at it as a plus for rvers coming and going. A great place to fill up before taking off and an OXXO where I can get my weekly diet Coke!
ReplyDeleteI know it spoils the atmosphere of the outdoors but, I have a military outpost 500 meters from my house. They can see me from their tower in my backyard.
Food looks good, you guys never go hungry!
We are keeping an open mind and a positive attitude towards the gas station. Once it is complete I really don't think it will have a huge impact on the quality of the campground here.
DeleteNo Chris, we will never go hungry!
Just FYI, you don't need to travel to interior Mexico to get great prices on dental work. I spend winters in Yuma, Arizona and the Mexican border town of Los Algodones is only minutes away. Last fall I got my teeth cleaned for $20 and two white fillings for $40 each.
ReplyDeleteYou are probably right that you don't have to go to the interior of Mexico to get good prices but you do have to go to Mexico to get them.
DeleteYou eat like we do - big! Looks great!
ReplyDeleteKent