Cuauhtemoc City, 04.04.2024
Also, back to the Mexican border, Discussions with the officer, At some point he graciously gives us the entry stamp and we can move on. It is now 17.00 o'clock and we simply leave Henriette in the nearest gas station parking lot – enough excitement for today. In the evening we try to find out, what the road blockades are all about – but can't get much out of it. Apparently it's about disputes between the cartels ??
Despite all the panic, we sleep well !!
Lake Tziscao
So, The next morning we venture further and are very excited !! In fact, we reach after 15 Kilometers the first road blockade: lots of people stand in the middle of the path, the passage is blocked with bollards. The usual questions: Where are you from, where do you want to go, what are you doing here, why were you in Guatemala? ??? Then our passports are checked, a young woman looks around our living room, checks the refrigerator (states, that we are well equipped) – then let us through. A few kilometers further the next blockade, Here inquiries are made over the radio, whether we were checked – also, understood, we can continue. The whole area here seems very eerie and depressing, most houses or. Villages seem deserted, there is hardly any traffic on the streets, you feel a little uncomfortable. After another blockade in the village after next, we finally reach our destination around midday: the Lagoon Tziscao. We were here once in January, We liked it so much, that we would like to come back here again.
Now another very quiet night, a dreamlike environment, a lake right on your doorstep – just beautiful. On Saturdays, Henriette is first cleaned inside and out, the washing machine is started, small repairs are done. At lunchtime we chat 3 hours with 2 Bayern, who are traveling here with their backpacks.
07.04.2024 – there was something ??? Yes done, Our little sunshine Jakob is already celebrating his today 5. birthday!! We can celebrate with him via WhatsApp – how nice. We spend the rest of the day doing more cleaning, Organize and do a number of house tours in between !! The Mexicans are simply incredibly open and direct, they watch each other 5 man in our living room, look, whatever the fridge has to offer and take countless photos with us, Henriette and that 2 guys.
It's Monday – happily – very quiet in our place, This is how we recover from the turbulent Sunday !! Unfortunately the sun is barely visible today, thick clouds hang in the sky. We spend the day making further preparations for the journey home: Book hotel, Contact the agent in Veracrux, Search for rental cars etc ……… Before you know it, it's already evening. Unfortunately, we cannot observe the promised solar eclipse because of the thick clouds.
The Perol
Tuesday, the 09.04, we pack up and start Henriette. Knapp 5 Kilometers further we walk the nice hiking trail “The Perol”, We were here once in January. Things are going uphill quite well, As a reward we have a wonderful view of Lake Pojoj with its small, pretty hermit island. We're barely back at the car, we hear a loud grumbling ?? Lucky, the raindrops don't catch us, We're already sitting in the car, when it starts to pour. This is how Henriette becomes within 3 Washed twice in days !! In Comitan we head for the Walmart parking lot, fill up our supplies and organize our journey home late into the night.
Comitan
After breakfast the next morning we went to Walmart again: My Bait card couldn't be topped up online. The cashier doesn't seem to know much about charging, With the help of a colleague she manages it, 200 pesos to my card. I notice in the parking lot , that I still have no reception ?? So back again, the cashier is no longer at her place, So I try to raise my concerns directly at the Bait stand. A young man tries to help me – but it doesn't work. A Bait employee is not on site today, he can only give me a cell phone card from AT&T sell ?? But he gives me the tip, I should try Sam’s: said done. I'm already confronted with the next obstacle: Only members are allowed in this store, d.h. you need ID ?? I explain to the security guy, that I just want to go to the Bait booth – big discussion, Call the boss, nobody knows ?? I wave the woman from the bait stand over to me, She takes me with her and I try again, to explain my problem. Two more employees are added, everyone is trying – but my card really doesn't seem to work anymore. All the same, then I'll just buy a new card, the 200 Pesos can be tolerated. This turns out to be an almost impossible task: I should pay cash first – not possible without ID ?? Then with a card ?? The machine refuses ?? Back to the other switch, Waiting ?? Wait again ??? What felt like an hour later I did it, There's a new card in my phone and I'm online again !!!!!! Now to the next business, print out the return label for our Starlink package (It really worked quite easily) and back to Henriette. Now that we have the package ready, we decide, to take it straight to the nearest DHL station. Again, not that easy, The city center of Comitan is completely closed to trucks. So around the outside via the bypass road, then back into the fray, the last ones 500 meters then on foot: the store is actually open, the friendly employee takes the package from me, it goes on its journey.
Cenote Chuckumalic
Tel, enough done for today, now just to a quiet place !! Our destination is the Cenote Chuckumalic, We were also here once in January. A few cars are in the parking lot, But towards the evening everyone goes back and we enjoy a wonderfully quiet one, warm summer evening, sit outside for a long time.
Thursday, 11.04.2024, First we go to the cenote to swim, the water is incredibly clear, you can see down to the ground. Otherwise we are waiting for news, whether our new Starlink will be delivered today ?? All the same, We'll definitely stay another night, You can't actually stand much better than that. Then at lunchtime came the bad news: the package could not be delivered, because the address could not be found – I must have made a mistake when entering the address. Addresses are always extremely difficult here, Here you still have to go to the city district, Please indicate the plot and preferably the color of the house and the front door, so that the postman can find it ! In any case, we are really frustrated – what can we do ? First of all, let's try using the DHL app – after 1,5 We give up in frustration for hours. We can't find the option anywhere, a correction of the address or. to enter another address ?? Without further ado, we drive back to Comitan to the DHL shop, the employee makes every effort, to help me. As I understand him, The package will be returned to the main warehouse in Tuxtla – and there it waits for new instructions. The employee says, I would have to call there, to clarify what to do next and give me a telephone number. My request, that he is calling for me, he strikes out – Data protection :(. Also, I stand in front of the shop and try my luck, However, it quickly becomes clear, that I have no chance. A computer voice chatters at me in Spanish, I have no idea, which key I should press next. Desperate, I go back to the store, put my phone on the counter and turn it on loud: the employee laughs and now helps me: he speaks to headquarters, After connecting 5 times, he also has the responsible lady in his ear. Also, the package should be returned to this DHL station, I can then put it here 1 – 3 pick up in days. Sounds good – if it works. We set up shop in the Walmart parking lot once again, treat ourselves to a delicious frustration pizza from Dominos, plus a frustration tequila.
Comitan
Friday, the 12.04.2024 – What do we do with the waiting day? ?? Ok, then let's just look at Comitan, is even a Pueblo Magico, should have a nice old town center. Unfortunately, our Walmart is very far out of town, we march round 5 kilometers to the center. Of course we take a quick look at the DHL shop, maybe we'll be lucky ?? no, we don't have, no package there !!! Well, okay, the historical center is really nice, at the third cafe (The coffee machine at the first cafe was broken, the second had no internet, therefore no service) We even get an excellent iced coffee. To 3,5 We're back in our living room for hours, We make ourselves comfortable on the sofa for the rest of the day.
Laguna Koila
We now have to spend the weekend here in Comitan unscheduled, So we drive a little bit out into the countryside again. Behind Unijajab we find a small pretty lagoon called “That's it”, We can also stand here overnight. Actually a really good parking space – if it weren't for such a terrible storm today. Sitting outside is impossible, our 2 Boys get frightened by every gust of wind and simply can't find peace. Oh well, It will be a cozy afternoon in the car.
Even on Sunday the wind doesn't let up, it's really stupid. But you can swim well, the water is super nice and clean. There is a lot of activity on the square today, Many families with even more children and coolers spend their day off here. Against 15.00 Clock sets a small, dented car right next to us and turns up his speakers to the fullest – totally overdriven and just loud. The young driver with his Chica sits next to him drinking beer – and no one gets upset (except me:)). He appears to have several cans of beer with him, So I decide to go for a ride with the boys first. An hour and a half later, the speakers are still blaring, a pile of empty beer cans lies on the sand. Oh well, other countries, andere Sitten. Thankfully, a few minutes later he packs up his stuff and leaves – of course with a roaring engine – from that. The other guests quickly leave and by dusk we have the place to ourselves – heavenly. However, the storm has not subsided, So we have to make ourselves comfortable inside.
Caves of the new ranch
Monday morning, 15.04.2024, there's nothing going on here today !! So we can swim extensively, Have breakfast outside and enjoy the beautiful space. When you look at your cell phone, your day begins to move: Our package appears to have arrived at the DHL branch – now let's go !! We quickly put everything together and drive back to Comitan. After waiting half an hour in front of the shop (Today there is only one employee at the counter, he is calmly packing up a package for a customer) I actually have the new Starlink in my hand. We drive on happy and satisfied, We reach the Grutas del Rancho Nuevo late in the afternoon, our New Year's Eve place. Here the boys can romp around in the forest, it is pleasantly cool, It even gets really cold at night.
El Corralito Waterfall
The next morning I go shopping here – There are many stands with the beautiful ones, colorful handicrafts. After a bit of haggling, I get all the items I wanted – little souvenirs for loved ones at home. We continue on the route to Ocosingo, a beautiful route through the highlands – However, it is equipped with an incredible number of tops. We make a stop in the small town of El Corralito, There is a parking space here by a waterfall. Apparently this is a real village project, every resident has his or her task: 3 Men man the ticket counter, the bano is guarded by a nursing mother, an older man checks, whether anyone would like to occupy a palapa (Of course this all costs extra), They all wear a blue T-shirt with a logo. We are really amazed: Everything is really very clean, In the morning we see people walking around, who pick up the trash, clean the tables and of course sweep. You can walk along the entire river, There are tables everywhere, Benches, Trash can, shaky suspension bridges and swimming opportunities. The water is right, really cold, you are immediately wide awake.
Wednesday, 17.04., because we like it here so much, we extend it by one day. Another challenge at the checkout: it is discussed among each other, how much I have to pay ?? What I would have paid yesterday ?? I say, 50 Pesos for entry and 100 Pesos for overnight stay ?? Further internal discussions: all right then, then that would be it again 150 Pesos – ok, I won't discuss any further, the project is really worth it. This was really the first time in our entire time in Mexico, that everything is so well maintained and clean !!! In the afternoon we receive a visit from a few village children. After Hans-Peter has handed out our last lollipops, don't leave us anymore. Trembling and shivering from the cold, they stand in front of us with wide eyes. With our limited knowledge of Spanish, communication is slow, but the boys stand there bravely. At some point mom probably calls and the four of them disappear – but only briefly ! The smallest one is standing next to us again at dinner, he has the same look as Frodo and Quappo – He would probably like to go with us ?? Learned something again – You can't be too nice to the children here !!
Blue Water
Today we have a long journey ahead of us – knapp 100 Kilometer !!!! Also, Let's hurry up with breakfast, pack up quickly and we drive over the first topes. Before we reach our destination, Supplies are being replenished in Ococingo. To 3,5 Hours drive we reach Agua Azul, supposedly the most beautiful waterfall in Mexico. We are also allowed to stand in the large parking lot for the night, There doesn't seem to be a lot going on today. After the obligatory coffee, we take a look at the natural wonder: the waterfalls are really amazing, very beautiful. The water shines turquoise, blue and green, is crystal clear, you can walk for kilometers along new cascades. However, the paths are paved with thousands of wooden stalls, in which handicrafts, Schmuck, Bags, Micheladas, Tacos and more are sold. For the most part, the sellers are already clearing everything away, The tourist buses probably come in the morning.
It's Friday again – We used to always look forward to the weekend, now it's more annoying – this is how times change !! All the same, We'll stay here another day, have a nice spa day. On the way back we treated ourselves to a delicious bottled beer (Corona, 1,2 Liter – for each !!!), it simply tastes a thousand times better than canned beer. We buy at the next stand 10 Empanadas for 80 Pesos, We enjoy them in the car. They were that good (or we so hungry), that we'll start running again and bring another portion with us 10 Order piece.
Roberto Barrios Waterfalls
20.04.2024 – What does the date tell us? ?? Yes done, it's our wedding anniversary, more precisely, the 39. !!! Incomprehensible !!! According to the occasion, we look for a nice one, cozy place: Roberto Barrios Waterfalls !! Henriette is allowed to rest on a large meadow, we plunge into the wonderful bathing pools. Ab 17.00 We have the entire area to ourselves ! Alone ??? no, At night it suddenly becomes incredibly loud: A howler monkey is probably sitting right in the tree next to our car !! We don't get to see him, but we can hear him all the better. Simply impressively vocal, these guys !!! So we spend our wedding day in this special setting – with fireflies, Waterfall rushing, Howler monkey concert and frog croaking !!
Sunday, the 21.04. In the morning we have the huge pool to ourselves, Of course we use that extensively. While we were having breakfast, a coach suddenly came next to us – and leaves (naturally) the engine continues to run. The driver wants it to be pleasantly cool. After half an hour we are annoyed and change parking, far enough away from the annoying engine noise. It's nice and warm (38 City), we and the dogs dive into the water every now and then – this is how you can endure it. In the evening a violent thunderstorm descends on us, there is lightning and thunder for a full hour, we are surprised, to see raindrops again.
It's just a beautiful place here, we extend for another day. In the morning I walk to the village opposite, to buy some fruit – however unsuccessfully. The large ticket booth is right in the center of town, Here you have to pay entrance fee for the waterfall. I argue with the eager cashier, that I just want to shop (the shops are just 20 m away, but just behind the house) and not to the cases ?? The strict answer: I can only shop, if I pay the entrance fee – So no bananas then !! Back at our car, Hans-Peter lets the drone fly, It looks great from this perspective too. In the evening we suddenly hear loud roars again – and discover a mother doing gymnastics with her baby in the trees. The sound volume of these not so big monkeys is simply very impressive every time.
Villahermosa
Tuesday, the 23.04.2024, we have to move on, water and supplies are slowly becoming scarce. So we drive on well-developed roads, 2-lane roads without tops (what a feeling) nach Villahermosa. A big one, modern city, However, everything here feels very stuffy and smoky. Whether it's because of the many fires or it's just hazy today, we can't say for sure. We walk in from the Walmart parking lot 10 Minutes to La Venta Park – Here, however, the sign prohibiting dogs immediately catches our eye. We ask again, but no, no entry for mascotas !! All right then, then we walk along the lagoon, Quappo is desperately looking for an opportunity, to get into the water. Just in time, a young man speaks to us and draws our attention to the crocodiles, all of which lie comfortably in the water. We are discovering more and more of these monsters, Quappo is immediately banned from swimming. Luckily there is a fountain on the way, in which the boys can bathe without crocodiles. Another round of shopping in the evening, It's actually quite quiet here for a night in the parking lot.
The next morning my husband wants to stock up on our beer supplies – However, he comes with an empty shopping cart, but one experience richer, back ?? Here you can 10.00 Don't buy alcohol at this time, that is not allowed – We really have to smile about that. On me, We'll keep going anyway, We'll definitely find a few cans of Corona somewhere.
Shortly behind the city we stand on a large meadow in front of a run-down balneario. There are even water connections on the site, Apparently there should be a real motorhome parking space. When we asked the employees, the water was turned on, we can fill up our tanks and get the outdoor shower going. The pools don't look that inviting, So I'm skipping swimming today.
The Sale
The thermometer continues to climb incessantly, slowly it becomes unbearable. Driving becomes a burden for people and animals, really deaf, that our air conditioning in the cab doesn't work and we don't have enough power for the air conditioning in the interior !! The next day, drenched in sweat, we reach the museum village “The Sale”, Here you can see the large stone heads of the Olmecs. However, the excavation site is completely run down, the parking lot is overflowing with mountains of garbage, The plaster is peeling off the facade and there is a huge hole in the roof of the main building. Alright, Apparently not very many tourists come here ?? We are allowed to take the dogs onto the premises, so you can watch everything too.
We really don't want to spend the night here, So we drive another hour to the parking lot at Parque Jaguaroundi. We are in the middle of a huge Pemex industrial site, The park was probably donated to the population by the company, to do a little something good. Unfortunately, dogs are also banned here, so “enjoy” we just have the nice parking lot. A few park employees come to us, admire and visit our Henriette and invite us to visit the park the next day.
Ixtagapa Falls
Friday, the 26.04.2024 – In the morning we organize the journey home a bit (the shipping agent has contacted us, We have to return the car a day early), then we decide, to continue driving without visiting the park. Our destination is a small waterfall, where we would also like to stay overnight. When we arrived there, the owner greeted us and explained things to us: it costs per person 150 Pesos, Entry to the waterfall costs an additional fee 70 Pesos ?? This is an absolute exorbitant price by Mexican standards, We briefly consult and decide, to drive to the next waterfall. So we come to this half an hour later “Ixtagapa Falls”, a large place right on the river – We like it straight away. As I explore the area later, I see many people eating and drinking at a large table, A delicious pig is sizzling on the grill. Without further ado, I ask, whether you can get something to eat here or whether this is a private event ?? the 3 Men from the grill enlighten me: it is a private event, but they still have enough meat left – whether I want something ?? And, I would like to, but I don't have any money with me ?? They laugh and wave – no, I wouldn't have to pay anything, The meat would be left over and a huge package would be handed to me !! Back at the car everyone leaves (and dog) the delicious, taste juicy grilled meat – splendid.
The next morning we call the grandchildren again – Jacob has sooooo much to tell, that we don't even have a say, He explains to us without a period or comma, what he did !! At some point dad calls for dinner – and suddenly he's gone again – really golden, the little guy.
Here too we extend it by another day, We look for a place in the shade all day long and occasionally cool off in the lukewarm river water.
On Sunday we drive a little further towards Veracruz, the landscape around us is unexpectedly pretty – hilly, nice groves, in between large cattle pastures, a bit like in the Odenwald ?? However, it is mercilessly hot !! Because our air conditioning in the cab doesn't work and we can't turn on the air conditioning in the box (we no longer generate electricity while driving, this part, the Starlin, Unfortunately it's also broken 🙁 ), Driving is very sweaty for everyone. Our destination is a small campsite “The Jungle” – as the name suggests, it lies in the middle of the jungle. The path there is just enough for Henriette to slip through, above, below, There is only a few centimeters of space on the right and left. When we arrived at our destination we were more than surprised: Here the cars are crowded together in the parking lot, People are piling up in the swimming pool- and each other, There is not a single plastic chair unoccupied in the restaurant – yes ready, We didn't think about it again, it's Sunday !! At sunset the place clears up, the last guests go home, we are all alone with fireflies, Howler monkeys and many macaws. The background noise is once again breathtaking, The parrots in particular make a hell of a racket. La Jungla is less suitable for swimming: There seem to be crocodiles in the lake, so not a good idea, The water in the pool doesn't look particularly inviting because of all the people yesterday ?? Also, After breakfast we prefer to drive a few kilometers further to the next waterfall.
Las Gemalas Waterfalls
The Cascades las Gemalas surprise us very positively: a beautiful big one, green meadow awaits us, The small waterfall is a great place to swim and cool off – a blessing. We have already settled into our home, a cold beer cools you from the inside. A few more guests come over in the evening, Of course we will be questioned again. Here we are only one kilometer from the beach, So the boys can run in the sand again during the evening round. Here, too, we extend it by 2 more days, we don't think, that we will find a nicer place here in the corner.
Tuesday, the 30.04. – a bit of a hectic ensues: Just to be on the safe side, I read it again, whether we need more papers for the dogs ?? And yes, We probably still need export certificates for the two boys. Also, take a deep breath first, stay calm and be smart. Thanks to the help of our friend Erik, we get a detailed explanation, what we have to do – that should be manageable. In any case, we need to get a health certificate from a veterinarian, So we try to make an appointment through our agent Pepe. The hotel concept in Veracruz also needs to be reconsidered – I search for hours on Airbnb, booking.com and other providers for alternatives – it's really difficult. There is usually a lack of a parking space for Henriette, We just can't get them into a normal garage ??
01.05.2024 – clear, this is also a holiday in Mexico !! Some people came the evening before, to camp here, Lots of families come during the day, to spend the day here. As always, The Mexicans sit dressed in the water for hours, only interrupted by grilling, drink, eat and of course listen to music. But there really is so much space here, that no one bothers anyone else. We extend another day !!
02.05.2024 – oh yes, already a year older ! But as of today, yes: with 66 Years, that's where life begins – I'm curious :):) We spend the day comfortably in our beautiful place, Every now and then we go diving into the clear water, call your loved ones at home. In the late afternoon we set off for the area 100 Kilometers further away Tlacotalpan – a UNESCO World Heritage town !! The nice ones, Colorful colonial buildings look really pretty from a distance, but as you get closer you can see, that everything here is falling apart too. The climate really bothers everyone: the people, animals and especially the concrete !! We spend the evening in a nice little Italian restaurant with pizza and sangria – For me it was a perfect birthday !!
Veracruz
03.05.2024 Today we go to the last stage to Veracruz – the landscape is really pleasing at first, Shortly before the big city, however, it becomes flat and swampy. We'll start looking for the vet right away, We also have a few unpleasant encounters with low-lying branches and cables (and that in the big city). Dr. Alvarado greets us in his 2 x 2 m small practice, examines our boys, she listens, measures fever, looks at the ears and actually finds a tick on each one. So they get another injection against ticks, are dewormed and then the paperwork begins. Dr. Alvarado brought in a friend to translate, That's what we try to explain to her, what we need. OK, He understood everything and wants to get the health certificate ready tomorrow and take us to the hotel – sounds good !!! We look for a place to stay overnight in the supermarket parking lot, We look at the beach and spend our last evening sweating in the Henriette – already strange ???
The next morning we park our Henriette in the Hotel Basico parking lot. Now it's over- and rearranged, the sweat runs down us in streams. The dog boxes are made after 2 Taken off the roof years ago – To our great joy, they are both undamaged. So first spray it off with the water hose, then assemble – we are frightened, how big they actually are. Placed in the hotel room, After a moment's consideration, our boys go into the boxes and sleep blissfully in the air-conditioned room. After a long shower we feel like real people again. Another little stroll on the beach, a sandwich in the restaurant, a bottle of red wine, shower again and then we sleep the marmots.
Last breakfast with Henriette on Sunday, Afterwards everything is cleaned, Fridge and tanks emptied, Windows cleaned, rearranged, Power turned off – that was it for now. In the evening a walk on the Malecon, There is a lot of activity here !! There is also a delicious hamburger in the hotel, Then we'll try to do the paperwork (Customs declaration) to do for the dogs. At some point the email will be out, now all that remains is to hope, that everything works.
Montag, the 06.05.2024 – Today we are dropping off Henriette at the harbor !!! Get up early again, a quick coffee at the hotel, We're already parked in front of Pepe's door, our agent from the shipping company. The paperwork takes quite a while, then everything is done. The dogs and I run or. sneak back to the hotel in the midday heat, try one more time, to reach the customs office about the dogs. In the evening we have a little something to eat at our hotel, It's very cozy and delicious there
We get an appointment for the customs inspection on Tuesday – at least that works !! I've been torturing myself all day with the lady from the dog office and I can't seem to get any further. At lunchtime I turn on our friend Erik, he helps me compile the papers in electronic form. In the evening I happily send everything away – now it's time to wait.
Wednesday morning, disillusionment again: the email must be sent to a different address – it's just unbelievable !! All right then, She will soon be sent away, We're really at our wits' end !! But, it does not help, we have to wait ?? In the late afternoon we go for a long run with the dogs, to clear your head a bit. In the evening we discover a nice pizzeria nearby, all female employees will be with us immediately, to pet the boys extensively.
09.05.2024 – Father's Day !! We will also spend this day waiting and fearing, whether we finally get the notice of the dog papers. at 10 Minutes a glance at the cell phone – it is despairing. Otherwise there's not much we can do, in the heat you can 16.30 Don't leave the house at all – the boys would just burn their paws here.
Time jump 🙂
01.09.2024 – so much time has passed now – incomprehensible !! What even happened? ?? So our horror days in Veracruz continued:
In fact, we received on Fridays, am 10.05.2024, versus 11.30 a query from the dog office: our home address had to be corrected (in Mexico you always need at least 20 Information for an address – State, City, district, Strasse, house number, left house with red entrance door etc…… it's not that easy). Alright, We wrote back straight away and specified our address in Erfelden. So, then wait and hope again. But, There was no further email from Senarica ?? On Saturday we tried to call again, there was no getting through – what now ??
change of plan: We had booked a rental car for Sunday afternoon, to drive to Mexico City very early on Monday. It was all too uncertain for us now, So Hans-Peter took a taxi to Veracrux airport on Sunday morning, to get the rental car earlier. That worked well too, and the rental car turned out to be a hit: a big pickup truck, The two dog boxes fit perfectly on the loading area – Perfect. So around midday we set off straight away to the giant metropolis and beyond 5 We had reached the airport after hours of driving. Now find a suitable parking space (That worked great too) and shortly afterwards we were standing in front of the Senarica counter with all our paperwork. The really annoyed one, Rude employee has followed suit 10 Minutes of ignorance then graciously accepted my request. After looking through all the papers, he said very briefly: Unfortunately he cannot prepare the export documents for me, since the dogs' health certificate is older than 5 days is !!!!!!!! That was of course true, but we had already submitted the application online on Tuesday ?? He wasn't interested in that, he had no access to the data on the central computer, he just made the direct applications at the counter ?? Now I could no longer contain my disappointment, the tears just flowed from his eyes. What could we do now? ??
First take a deep breath (easier to say than done), then all people, who could help call: our veterinarian, Eric und Denise – clear, no one was available at that moment. That's how we hang out with the boys in the evening 20.00 We walked around the airport and checked in on the surrounding vets, if anyone could help us. Of course it was also clear, that no practice is open at this time on Sunday evenings. Done with the world and already thinking about extending our stay in Mexico, the cell phone suddenly rings: our good friend Eric reached out and said, we should stay very calm, he would definitely be able to help us. The first idea was, Change the date of the health certificate using Photoshop ?? The second idea was, Call the office first thing on Monday morning and get the clerk to do it, to finish the paper by noon.
We found the second option better and Eric promised, to take care of it the next day. So we spent a pretty sleepless night on the seats of our pickup truck, The boys, on the other hand, were snoring completely relaxed in the back seat.
Montag, the 13.05.2024 – Hans-Peter drives me early with the dog boxes, luggage and that 2 Guys to the terminal, then he brings our rental car back. Nobody should notice, that we had dogs with us, The rental company has excluded dogs from being taken along. Okay, that worked well, no one noticed the little brown hairs in the back seats (Of course we covered everything well with blankets). After a delicious coffee our spirits came back and went 9.00 We were all on the phone at p.m 15 Minutes with Eric, to clarify the status of our papers. Actually came against 11.30 Watch the redeeming call: the export papers would now be ready, we could pick them up at the Senarica counter !!! Eric was our absolute hero and savior, Without him we would definitely still be in the terminal today 1 around 🙂
Happy and relieved, we immediately made our way to the Lufthansa counter with the papers – However, no one could be seen here yet. So we took the time to have a little dog walk, another coffee and a bit of reading. Against 15.00 The counter was opened and we were the first, that were processed. Everything went smoothly and nicely here, Shortly afterwards we had the boarding passes and certainty, that Frodo and Quappo can fly home with them. It felt like Christmas and a birthday at the same time – we were so happy, to have managed it after all.
The flight went smoothly, The boys had been given a sedative and probably slept through most of the route. We only heard a short bark once – that calmed us down, that they are on board and alive.
When we got home, we were of course completely stressed – We had to meet everyone again first – family, Friends, Neighbors …….. – We couldn't get out of the invitations at all. Then there was a lot to sort out: Pick up Henriette in Bremen, Craftsmen in the house, Repairs in Baden-Baden, Tax returns, Hausabrechnungen, Bring Henriette to the workshop, buy new car, Processing the will execution order and everything that needed to be done. Then later, doctor’s visits, Dental appointments ….. time simply passed incredibly quickly.
As I said, today is already that 01.09.2024, we sit with 30 Just on our terrace and hoping, that we can soon be on the road again in our Henriette. There is currently no date, Henriette is still in Hungary and there are still a lot of things to sort out here. But at some point it will move on – quite, certainly, South America is calling to us !!!
