The Things I Carry

I’ve started packing for my trip to Mexico in two weeks. It’s my nature to do things early. Some of the things I pack might surprise you.

For example, one time I took a water pump for an old Ford pickup. I put it in my backpack, so of course I had to explain myself when I went through TSA Security.

“Ma’am, exactly what is this?” asked the TSA guy.

“It’s a water pump for a Ford pick-up truck.”

“Why is it in your backpack?”

“I’m bringing it to a friend in Mazatlán.”

“Don’t they have water pumps in Mexico?”

“I guess not. He asked me to find one for him in the auto salvage yard.”

The TSA guy softened right away. “You must be a good friend,” he said.

“I bet you are a good friend, too. I think you would have done the same thing.”

“You’re right. I try to help my friends whenever I can. Have a good day.”

Actually I wan’t thrilled at having to carry a heavy water pump in my backpack, but the TSA guy made me feel a lot better about it.

Another time, I carried fifty yards of fiberglass fabric in a roll inside a very tall box. The box was 5’7.” I am only 5’2. It weighed about as much as a water pump. Ernesto needed it because he was building surfboards and couldn’t find any fiberglass in Mexico. He ordered it from a surf supply shop in San Diego and had it sent to my house in Denver.

After being dropped off at the airport, I maneuvered my bulky box inside, along with my purse, a large suitcase and my backpack. I d watched my box, tagged as “oversized luggage,” as it went down the conveyor belt to the airplane. When I got to the airport in Mexico, I  claimed my box and headed for Customs.

“What is in this box?” The Customs official wanted to know. She wasn’t as nice as the TSA guy.

“It’s 50 yards of fiberglass fabric.”

“Why do you have it?”

“My friend needs it for building surfboards.”

“Don’t we sell fiberglass in Mexico?”

“I guess not.”

“Do you have a receipt showing how much you paid for it?”

“I’m sorry. I don’t have a receipt. But it wasn’t very expensive.”

I was taken into a small room. I was told to leave my box outside but I could bring my purse, my backpack and my suitcase with me. The Customs official interrogated me and told me I would have to pay a “tax” to bring the fiberglass into the country because I didn’t have a receipt. 

We’ve been through this before, dear reader. Of course, it wasn’t a tax. It was a bribe. I didn’t care. I paid $25.00 and was on my way.

The Customs official also searched my purse, to make sure I wasn’t bringing any contraband into the country. When I got to my destination, I found that a beautiful rosary I brought for Ernesto’s mother was missing. I think it ended up in someone’s pocket. And, yes, they do sell rosaries in Mexico.

So now I know the drill. No more water pumps or rolls of fiberglass. Instead, I bring smaller gifts for Ernesto. I bring things that are expensive in Mexico and that I can easily purchase at the local thrift store for almost nothing. Here’s a list of things I bring every time:

• Board shorts
• Sunglasses
• Reading glasses
• Razors and extra blades
• Dress shirts
• T-shirts with surfer logos
• Swim goggles

And I also bring things for the kitchen:

• A couple of sharp knives
• Dish towels
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Spices for making chai tea
• Instant tea without lemon
• Nightlights and flashlights

I don’t bring many clothes. I don’t have room for them in my suitcase.