| Sunday, March 11, 2007 |
| Nogales... Part Dos. |
Another thing I learned during my trip to Mexico -- once we got past the wall and the images and the emotions that come with them -- was that in Nogales, there are two things to do. And both of them involve spending money -- shopping and eating.
Borderbeat's Amanda Hines, cashing in on some Mexican jewelery.
Now, when I go to New York City, I know when I hit Chinatown or Little Italy, I'd better have a lot of cash on me. Because whether I want to or not -- I'm going to end up spending it. Something will catch my eye, someone will call me over and show me all of things I am CONVINCED at that very moment I not only want, but need.
There's something more appealing about buying things in Chinatown (to me) than any other shopping area in America. For whatever reason, you are convinced you need that necklace, that wall decoration and that little trinket -- because no one else back home will have them. And that feeling, that desire, becomes even more powerful once you realize the item you were originally offered for only $20 is now down to $8. Suddenly, you feel like you've been drugged -- you can't pass up that much of a bargain! It wouldn't be the American way!
So you pull out the cash and trade it in for quality, soon-to-be-forgotten crap. Sure, sometimes you find treasures. But a lot of times, at the end of your shopping experience, part of you wonders what you are going to do with all that stuff you've refused to leave behind.
As you travel through Nogales, there are endless vendors to spend your money at.
Shopping in Nogales.
More shopping in Nogales.
Even more shopping, with two girls nestled in the corner selling items.
You could spend all day looking at different vendors.
And even more so than Chinatown or Little Italy, you are bombarded by the vendors in Nogales. As you work your way from vendor to vendor, you can't help but feel -- pressured. So many of the items are similar from block to block, yet each vendor wants you to purchase from them. It becomes more of a game -- who should you buy from? Who can guilt you into spending the most? And who just -- quite frankly -- won't leave you alone?
I can't count the number of free tequila shots I was offered or how many "Mexican boyfriends" this American girl was told she could take home. If there was ever a place that used flirting as a way to get customers, Nogales would be it. We had one middle-aged man in particular, following us from block to block, chatting with us and trying to woo us into purchasing anything he could. Finally, he let us go and we were on our way. As someone who hates when I'm bombarded at the mall by employees at the various cellphone booths, I started to grow weary very quickly of being begged and beckoned into purchasing items.
The one image you can't get past though -- is that of the little kids who walk around with trays, held by straps that are wrapped around their necks. They pretty much sell only three things -- hand woven bracelets, chewing gum and little toys -- mostly tiny, trinket animals with bobbing heads. When you look down into those eyes as they hold their tray towards your face, it's hard to resist.
There are countless other places to spend your money as well. From bakeries (don't get me started on the .50 donuts!) to leather stores to antiques to jewelry to clothing, you could find yourself spending an obscene amount of money in Mexico.
A quinceanera dress in a shop window.
Going to lunch in Nogales, was also a highlight. As we wandered around, we found ourselves in Leos Cafe.
Leos Cafe, where we had lunch.
Inside had a festive feel and within minutes of arriving, the place was packed.
A quinceñera dress in a shop window.
With so much to choose from, it was hard to decide what we wanted.
The menu at Leos Cafe.
Amanda chose coconut shrimp and rice.
Where I chose one of my favorites... tamales.
I can get tacos and burritos anywhere in Tucson -- but finding a good tamale is hard to come by. And my tamale was definitely worth the money.
Between my dish, Amanda's, an extra quesadilla, two bottles of water and two Cokes our total came out to only $15 (or 150 pesos.) Which was a great buy... only to save more money for the vendors.
In the end, I didn't come home with TOO much.
But I did manage to bring back three pairs of shoes ($29), a headband ($1.50), two necklaces ($6), a wall decoration ($8) and a full belly ($10 including tip).... bringing my total up to $54.50.
Not too bad for a day in Nogales. |
posted by Border Reflections @ 11:04 PM  |
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| Kari Anne Shaffer |
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