Caught!!!

First Ray was caught at Pearson with a four inch wrench that he had brought down to fix his bike. Too bad it was in his carry on!!!

Second, oh my, as soon as I saw the new xray machines in Puerto Vallarta, I knew I was screwed!!! We had already discussed how much cash to carry with us incase we got stopped with the vitamins. Enough to pay the "tax" but not enough to pay for our rent for 3 months. Sure enough as soon as they saw the contents they pulled me over. I opened the case wide and that is what they did with their eyes!!! One large case containing nothing but over a hundred bottles of vitamins.

After half an hour of different officers coming over and trying to read the boxes and me saying, "These aren't drugs." "See the pictures of the kids I give them to. See their houses. They are very poor." " I don't sell the vitamins. I give them to the kids." it was time for Ray to leave me alone and go to find the man who had come to drive us to San Blas. All the people had left from our plane and another plane load had also gone through customs. As I saw him walking away I wondered when we would see each other again. Would he contact help after five hours, five days, five months? Wait a minute, he would be back in Canada in 5 months!!! Would I still be held in customs?

Another painful hour went by. I was told we were waiting for the head hauncho to come. He never did. Finally a very nice woman explained about the new Mexican laws and how I had to go through a non-profit group to bring vitamins in in the future. She gave me a brochure and her phone number. I swore never to do this again and all ended well. I didn't have to cry and whine. I didn't have to pay any "tax". It was a good day!!!!!!!