Mexi Bound? Bring Papers!

It's inevitable: If you come to Quartzsite, sooner or later you've got to go to Mexico. Whether it's the lure of the low-cost prescription drugs, the twang of a sore tooth, or the growling of a stomach thinking of fish tacos off the cart, there's a certain draw of Los Algadones.

Traveler beware: The US Border Patrol folks will be happy to see you when you return. But at the end of December, they'll want documentation: No, you don't need a passport or a passcard--not until summer--but you will need documentation of your US citizenship. What passes? A birth certificate or certificate of naturalization. And you'll need valid, government-issued, photo identification. For most of us a driver license will meet that requirement.

Vat vill happen if you turn up vithout zee pay-pairs? Expect that it will take you a while longer to get back across into the U.S. while you'll be flooded with questions and thoroughly run the computer. And oh yes, they will probably ask you about your prescriptions and your liquor. It may not be such a bad idea to carry a U.S. doctor's prescription for what you bring home. They don't often ask to see one, but if they do and you don't have those papers, your drugs go back to Mexico.

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