ALL SORTS OF STUFF

After two months south of the border, there's all sorts of stuff to talk about.

in the residential part of Mexico, 10 miles from my hotel, they have a severe water shortage. now in the states, sometimes they make us limit watering the grass to certain hours but in Zihuantanejo, houses get running water ONE DAY every two weeks and it's only on for two hours so you fill as many buckets as you can during that time so you can wash clothes, do the dishes, flush the toilet, etc.  
be very thankful for what we have. 

gasoline in mexico?  $4.31 per gallon. there's only one company and Penemex has the monopoly. other real expensive items are brand name gym shoes and any type of electronics. 

BUT if you know where to eat, four people can pig out for less than thirty bucks. and you can still get your laundry picked up, washed, folded and returned to your room for less than three dollars.

FYI----if you're going to an all-inclusive resort, most do not carry bourbon or canadian whiskey.  you can have all the scotch you want at every hotel but check with the hotel directly.  it's worth the phone call to find out if they carry your brand.

American Airlines finally tightened their restrictions on one of the biggest scams of the 21st century, "support" animals, which fly for free instead of the customer paying to ship the mangy animal.   but the interesting part is you're allowed to bring MINI-HORSES as a support animal. are you freaking kidding me? imagine that possible in flight mess. ridiculous.

But the biggest scam of this century is the DESTINATION WEDDING. two selfish people pick an 'exotic' location like mexico for THEIR WEDDING & HONEYMOON and then put the pressure on family members & close friends by sending them special invitations 'to please join us for our special day.'

a quick review.......normally, you spend a couple hundred dollars on a gift for a family wedding held locally and maybe one night at the hotel after partying at the reception. but their 'special day' will cost YOU as a couple NO LESS THAN TWO THOUSAND DOLLARS for 3 or 4 days.

simple solution...........if you want a destination wedding, then YOU PICK UP THE TAB FOR ALL OF THE GUESTS. i guarantee that will basically eliminate that scam.  destination this.

final note: the customs guy says it's ok to bring 25 cuban cigars for personal use back with you.

more later.