It was a weird two weeks back home in AZ, to say the least.
I left on January 12th, 2025, which seems like a different world when you’re a dual citizen and love Canada, America, and Mexico. I am still the same person, but it felt different.
It was time to head to Mexico for a few weeks to shake off the international rust with some good old home-cooked meals, beach beers, and visit my Mexican Familia.
I took the shuttle from Phoenix for $55, and it dropped me off down the street from my casa, which is perfect. It takes me about four hours to drive door to door from my condo in Mesa. The shuttle leaves from West Phoenix and takes about the same time. The USA van takes you to the border, and you walk across, and the Mexican van is waiting. It works out perfectly!
I keep my truck here as it is only $175 a year to insure and inexpensive to maintain. It is a 2003 F-150 I bought off the showroom floor, so I don’t want to let it go. Any major issues will be the end in the United States. My mechanic here is a tenth of the price, so it is a good place to try to keep it on the road. I only drive it around town, which should keep it going for a long time.
When I arrived, my landlord greeted me with a high five and let me know that they deep deep-cleaned my room. It felt so good to open that door after almost four months of being away. I have everything I need here to live a simple life. Comfy bed, beer fridge, grill, office, and a 55″ TV all for $150 a month. That is why I have zero issues keeping it empty most of the year. It is here when my AZ Airbnb is rented or when I want to just get away.
I always have a couple of first stops to see local faces and grab some of my favorites when I come to town. The prices are about half of what I would pay in the United States or Canada which makes it take even better.
I had my favorite chicken enchiladas with green sauce (pollo enchiladas verde).
I know what you’re thinking, yes, I demolished it all in one sitting! I also had the best sleep in months, as it is such a comfortable situation here.
Lower prices, oceanfront beers, playoff hockey, and everyone always has a great time!
The Oilers played horribly but the $3 cervezas and 2 for-1 wings made up for it! 👌One of the most famous restaurants in Rocky Point is Pollo Lucas (Lucas Chicken). It is a short ten-minute walk from my pad, and it is amazing.
You can order 1/4, 1/2, 3/4, or the whole chicken and eat it or take it to go.
Each order comes with onions and lettuce, with the awesome homemade salsa and tortillas.
I get the 1/4 chicken for 65 pesos, which is $2.32 for the best lunch ever! The half chicken is 120 Pesos which can feed two people easily for $5 and the 3/4 and whole chicken can feed larger families.
Friday nights are surf and turn night at my local watering hole down the street.
The prices cannot be beat as that was $32 USD and absolutely amazing with a draft beer and hockey.