"Anything to Declare?"

Border Guy: Where are you going?
Me: To the airport, and then I’m flying to Mexico on business.

Border Guy: Itinerary please!
Me: Here you go.( I give him a paper copy)

Border Guy: What are you bringing into the country?
Me: Nothing!

Border Guy: Nothing? You’re leaving home for 4 days and you’re bringing nothing?
Me: Well yes, I’m bringing my clothes to wear.

Border Guy: Well that’s different isn’t it? What about work? Are you bringing anything for work.
Me: Nothing?

Border Guy: Nothing? You’re not bringing a laptop or anything?
Me: Well yes, I do have my laptop.

Border Guy: Well then why are you telling me nothing?? Do you always say nothing?? What do you usually declare? I’m trying to coach you through this buddy….Declare all goods acquired abroad! All Goods acquired abroad!

Of course by this time I’m thinking of several responses, including,

1)No you’re not trying to coach me, you’re being an idiot, and I recognize an idiot when I see one!

2)If I had acquired a broad I would have declared her!

3)Fuck off!

But of course I don’t say any of these things because I know it will only bring me grief, and because I am not anywhere near the idiot that he is. Besides he hates his job and hates his life and if he thinks that he’s gonna get his jollies by getting me to lip him off then I’m afraid he’s got the wrong guy. I have listened to his type way too often to let it get to me!

So, I’m on the plane to Mexico City where they can also be a bit stupid in regards to batteries and water bottles on airplanes, but they are totally complacent when it comes to immigration issues. Very few of the officers speak English and as such they don’t even try to question foreigners. As long as you have the paperwork filled out they are very much a rubber stamp function. It doesn’t even need to be legible. In Mexico City I will not rent a car as everyone recommends against it. It is indeed an incredibly crazy place for traffic, and yet I would like to try it some time anyway. Maybe when I’m not alone I’ll give it a shot. Today a driver will pick me up at the airport, but when I get to Puebla I will use a rental as it is a relatively sane city. I hate not having the independence of a car.

I brought my Ironman Training books with me again and tried once more to spend some time sorting it all out. But again it just overwhelmed me. Even within the same publication, with every bit of advice they give you they seem to add a disclaimer, or even a direct contradiction at some point.
Do this, unless this!
Do lots of this but not too much!
This is imperative unless you can’t do it, then don’t!

I think I need to sit down with someone experienced and really pick their brains. Today will be a no training day other then perhaps some stretching and light weights at the hotel. I hope to run the next couple of days as my friend Bernardo promised to show me where I can go. It will be strange to run in shorts. Wish me luck!

I wish to dedicate day 124 to Dr Cynthia Kenyan, who 22 years ago today delivered our son Michael!

"The love of one's country is a splendid thing. But why should love stop at the border?"--- Pablo Casals

"When I was crossing the border into Canada, they asked if I had any firearms with me. I said, "Well, what do you need?"--- Steven Wright

“The early North American Indian made a great mistake by not having an immigration bureau."---Anon