6 Mar 2010, Camping - Van Horn 102 km (64 miles)
Followed 192 about half an hour got at the junction of 192 and 34. it is longer than I-10 but it is a really neat road for biking. Met a border patrol, he told me every month they could catch about 200 illigal Mexican crossed the border, and they could catch 70% of them. I wonder how they know how many they did not catch? He said do not go to Mexico now, there is very dangerous, the other side everyday dead 12 people just because of the drug deal. This is more than Iraq war! but just happening at the border of America, it is so radiculous!
It was a windy day, headwind, but yesterday was tailwind, how it changed? Slowly uphill to Sierra Blanca, just before Sierra Blance there is sign "INSPECTION", but it does not make any sence to me :(
The border patrol asked me "are you American citizen?" I said "No". then they becomes seriously. "where are you from?", "Do you have visa?", "How much money do you left?", "Do you have credit card?" I crossed a lot of borders, I have some experieces about how to deal with the border patrol. Firstly you should respect them, and then you should pretend you can not speak very good English because some questions if you do not want to answer, you could say "sorry sir, I do not understand what you said." The best way is speak with a strong Japanese accent, mix "R" and "L", then the border patrol will be boring, and you could pass the check point.
"How much money do you have?" answer this question you must be careful, you can not tell the truth to them! the right answer is about 1000 dollars even you do not have enough cash. they do not check, but you must let them satisfied about your answer.
"Do you have credit card?". the right answer is "yes sir, I do!" but I do not have, haha.
Sierra Blanca is a small town, the shops almost closed. found one open and bought something to eat. From Sierra Blanca to Van Horn, the headwind became stronger, I rode very slow. and before Van Horn I entered into the Central Time Zone, today I rode almost 7 hours, but in fact it is 8 HOURS!
Maybe because of the headwind, I felt sick, so I went to Super 8, An Indian guy Vipul told me it is about 55 dollars one night, althought I have their member card of Super 8 from China, but he has another motel at Days Inn, charged me 35 Dollors! it is a good deal! so tonight I slept at his motel. At night Vipul gave me an Indian food! thanks! but there is no folk or spon, then I thought Indian they eat without folk? So I tried to use my hand, it is not too bad! haha
