Sneaking over the border

Actually I didn't have to sneak - no one cares at all if you go into Mexico. I just walked in - no one checked a thing. It was coming back to the United States that they wanted stuff. But even that wasn't too big of a deal. No line, just gave them my passport, they ran it through the scanner and done. In fact it's about 20 times more difficult to get on an airplane than to walk across an international border (if you're an American).
So, I drove down to Nogales, Arizona. Parked my car (since it was a rental I couldn't drive - and actually, for a short trip I would recommend walking anyway). Walked into Mexico. First there was a tourist market. Tons of cheap little souvenir stuff all over. I called Amanda (from Michigan) to see if she wanted more of the saint bracelets she'd liked so much this summer. They were lots cheaper here. Well, I don't like tourist areas, so I just wandered up a side street that took me up a mountain (instead of down in the valley of main town). From there I had a great view of Nogales, AZ and Nogales, Sinaloa, Mexico. Look at the difference of these two hills of houses. They're right beside each other. But this flimsy, aluminum (it looks?) fence is between them. (Sorry the pictures aren't better.) Beside the obvious economic differences in the houses, I was amazed at how very Mexican the Mexican side was, and American the American side. In Nogales, Sinaloa the streets are much narrower and busy, busy with cars, people, food, etc... The American side was empty, quiet and wider open. I was fascinated by the difference a few feet made.
So, after I wandered up, I continued into a neighborhood to see the real town. I met this great couple (turns out it was a son and mother (60ish and 80ish)) on their porch with their awesome view. They invited me up and I had a great visit. In addition to their knowledge, their excellent view allowed them to point out bus routes and places for me to see. They were so nice! Next time I go the guy is going to take me on a tour of one of the other mountains/hills that I want to see - but it's kind of dangerous (drugs).
So, back down I went and had some yummy aquas (drinks made out of fruit and water) and then some back tacos. So delicious. I bought everything with pesos left over from my trip to Mexico 6 1/2 years ago (I found them when digging out my passport) so I felt like I didn't spend any money. It was hot and I got sunburned (everyone else had jackets on but I am quite acclimatized to Utah and couldn't handle it. After I went through this big white gate back to the U.S. I headed back to Tucson. I heard one semi-rude BP guy talking to a lady who only had a birth certificate at the entrance (and she was Hispanic) I saw one border patrol car in Nogales, AZ and then had to stop at a checkpoint about 30 km into the U.S. Apparently I didn't look suspicious because they let me through. That was about all the indication that I was at the border - except that fence and the crazy differences in a town that is one, but two.
It was a fun little trip!