When you pay the bridge fee when crossing to and from Mexico, you need to save both paper receipts. This will speed the crossing, as it tells the guards exactly when you entered and left.
If you tell them you lost them, well you might get searched. If you don't have a passport, you can still get back in the country, but you will spend lots of time in the customs office answering questions. The border guard told me that it is a federal law that you must have a passport when entering the country. ( But that isn't news ) Also, if you are in Nuevo Laredo and crossing back into Texas, it is best to drive 20 miles west to the crossing at Columbia. I saw no signs that said Columbia until I was nearly there, so just follow the signs that say to International Bridge number 3 ( which is a commercial bridge a few miles east of the Columbia Bridge. ) I did not see a single sign that said Solidarity Bridge or Puente Solidaridad, but I don't know if it is like that coming from the Bustamante side. I only saw 1 or 2 signs that said Puente Columbia, with no explanation as to what that meant. I am not sure why you would want to enter Nuevo Laredo. I just spent about 3 hours there, and that was 3 hours too many. Other related info, I bought 12.75 pesos for each dollar. In many places in the U.S. they do not accept bills larger than $ 20. So presume that the same principle applies down in Mexico. A 500 peso note, is almost $ 40, and most stores will not readily keep change handy to cash it. The large bills are fine for paying for a hotel bill, or a tank of gas or a group dinner, but not for small items. On a personal note: I plan to be in the Monterrey area over Thanksgiving. I hope to do a short day hike, but the rest will be spent visiting my wife's "familia." I don't know if my cell phones will be working, but feel free to keep my number if you are in the Monterrey area. 281-995-8487 and 281-960-0687. I will try to check my e-mail daily while I am down there, too. David Locklear
