That Rots!
By Modestah
@Modestah (11179)
United States
June 24, 2007 2:53am CST
my folks live in South Texas and we manage to save for a visit once every few years.
when there it is nice to be able to go into Mexico to get a few things and also take care of some dental needs.
But now? now we will need a passport that will cost not a few dollars but $95! that is not for the whole family but for each member of the family.
The rising cost of gasoline itself is making the trip less likely, but with the passport cost added in - I am just not sure we will be able to go into Mexico. I am sure this new plan is going to hurt the border town economy greatly and perhaps increase crime in the areas.
They are making travel an elitist's opportunity - not for the common man.
I am bummed.
7 people like this
9 responses
@barehugs (8973)
• Canada
24 Jun 07
I'm Canadian. I live in Ontario in the summer and in Alamo (surburb of McAllen) Texas, in the Winter. WE Love it there. the weather is wonderful and we have grapefruit and banana's in the back Yard. WE have had Passports for Years. WE would never think of traveling anywhere without a Passport.The price of gas has risen, but we drive a Toyota (small van) and it cost $160.00 to drive back to canada this spring. Its 2000 miles one way. Its not that expensive!Yeah I get my dental work done in Mexico. WE are about 25 minutes from Progreso Mexico,its a fun place to go for dinner and shopping.
WE are common people too.... save your pennies, will meet you there next Fall!
@Modestah (11179)
• United States
24 Jun 07
Hey, my folks go to McAllen frequently - they are in Weslaco just a few miles outside of Progresso.
your gas costs are much better than ours, it seems. It cost me about $800 last summer when it was just the kids and I - but that did include hotel fees and incidentals.
I am saving :) my father has been in Houston for the past couple of months and will be there till August for Radiation and Chemo.
I think it is essential that we visit this year. Our eldest just graduated highschool and will likely be starting out on his own before we know what has hit us.
May I ask, since you have already had passports, has the price jumped drastically with the new laws or was it already so expensive? I traveled to Europe in the 80s and I think my passport was only around $25 - the picture $3
@Modestah (11179)
• United States
26 Jun 07
My apologies, I did not mean the price of gas per gallon or litre - but over-all usage. But again, I was factoring in the hotel fees and incidental expenses. It sounds like we will be able to make the trip after-all, especially if passports are not needed till January. I will get my son one anyhow just incase the change the rule earlier than announced but the other children can just stay stateside if that happens.
thanks for the conversation!
@barehugs (8973)
• Canada
24 Jun 07
Our gas is $1.04 / litre Canadian, right now and theres almost 4 litres in an American gallon. But we live close to The American border so we burn mostly American gas, going and coming from Texas.We have Canadian passports, and they cost between $80 and $90 right now in Canadian dollars.
1 person likes this
@gunny685 (50)
• Mexico
25 Jun 07
I live in Juarez, just minutes to the El Paso bridge.
For the moment,(until Jan.1), you do not need a passport to get back into the U.S., and Mexico has no plans for U.S. citizens to show a passport to get into thier country, they are smart enough to know that folks from the U.S. spend thier money there!
1 person likes this
@Modestah (11179)
• United States
25 Jun 07
oh! thank you so much for this information. What a relief it is to me... since we will be visiting in early December.
I love my Dentist in Progresso, the Mexican people take their time - and are genuinely concerned for the patient. I had never had such great and considerate service as I have there.
1 person likes this
@villageanne (8553)
• United States
24 Jun 07
I have never been to Mexico but I hear that they do have good deals there. I dont understand the concept of having to get a passport to drive from the US to Mexico. If you had to fly, I could understand but it makes no sense to me either. I do hope you can enjoy your trip to see your family though.
@MsTickle (25180)
• Australia
26 Jun 07
Things sure are getting hard aren't they? I cannot believe how expensive everything is getting. I can still find good bargains with clothing but shoes, household items, home maitenance, car repairs, medical and dental, the price of homes and rental, food, everthing is just going up and up. Then there's entertainment and travel. I'm so glad I own my home even if it is in disrepair and out in the bush. I travel 3 hours by car every three months to see my Dad but I wish I could go more often...he will be 94 on Friday and he lives alone.
@scarlet_woman (23463)
• United States
24 Jun 07
95 dollars!?
jeez..that's a rip.it's the same for canada now too.
i had wanted to visit some friends,and i told them i would have to get a passport to do so-they seemed shocked by it.
@ladyljs (1303)
• United States
24 Jun 07
Oh that is really a shame!
I am wondering if it would pay though...if you are getting any medical/dental done at a greatly reduced price...it might just be worth the investment.
One good thing, once you have gotten your passports, they are good for 10 years..so if you amoritize that, they will only run you about $10 a year each. Would that cover your dental expenses?
@Modestah (11179)
• United States
24 Jun 07
yes, $10 a year sure isn't bad, but we can not afford the $1000 travel expenses every year.
We also pay for dental insurance here and are locked into that until next february. all the dentists in these parts have dropped out of accepting our insurance (concordia delta dental for retired military)
I suppose if just my son and I get the passports we could manage it.
1 person likes this
@lauriefnp (5109)
• United States
24 Jun 07
You're right, this stinks. Especially when you consider that you already have valid ID for crossing the borders. Maybe the first step of the solution would be to secure the borders against those who are not U.S. citizens and prevent them from coming in illegally. Why punish the Americans who already play by the rules? You belong here, and are going to Mexico legally to take care of a few things. You have valid U.S. Identification already. I'm sorry that you have to deal with this- it's a lot of money to come up with on the spur of the moment for a trip.
@Modestah (11179)
• United States
24 Jun 07
you are absolutely right! I can prove I am an American Citizen and belong in the states. It rather resembles a scam. Does this remind anyone of the day when we thought it was just horrible that the citizens in russia had to "show me your papers" or the freed american slaves had to produce "their papers"
@Modestah (11179)
• United States
25 Jun 07
it is not just about the dentist, i was just bummin about needing a passport. you know how financial stresses are, and my poor father being so sick - i guess it all just took a bit of a toll on my yesterday. i am sorry for having been such a downer.
