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Aug 17, 2009: A day in South Padre Island

Today, becaue Jessica did not need to work anymore, we were heading to south padre island for surfing.
From Edinburg, we took around 1-1/2 hr about 70 miles by hwy 83 east - hwy 77 east - 100 to South Padre island. Located on the tropical tip of Texas, South Padre Island is bordered by the Gulf of Mexico and the Laguna Madre Bay. Even though South Padre Island is only a few miles wide, it is packed with beautiful beaches, warm Gulf waters, fishing, boating, bird watching, shopping, restaurants, charters, and a diversity of year-round activities await every visitor.

Aug. 16. 2009 A day to visit Mexico border City - Neuvo Pregreso

On Sun. Aug. 16, we are heading for Mexico. This is the first time, I had crossed the border of USA. While I was in San Diego, although it was only 30 min away from Tijuana, I never went to Tijuana for drink, because I thought that I needed visa to visit Mexico. This time, I just knew that as a student, you could visit Mexico where 50 miles away from USA without Mexico Visa. Usually, Mexcio immigration won't check your visa for visiting, but USA Patrol did check critically with the USA VISA. Prepare your passport, visa and I-20, and you are ready to visit Mexico.

Originaly, we were heading for Reynosa, which is a big Mexico city near the US Border grouped a lot of international manfacturers, such as LG, Samsung, Toyota.. etc. The scarry thing about Mexico border is

Since Gary met Jessica from McAllen, Texas, he has been stayed in McAllen most of time. Therefore, this weekend, Jenny, Jenny's son Richard and me, decided to pay him a visit and also take a look of McAleen, the city close to Mexico border. Becuase these two cities are close to the border of Meico, the initial stereo type of McAleen and Edinburg just think there should be nothing around, country side city. However, I was totally wrong..

On Sat. Aug 15, because I needed to work, we went on trip a little bit late around 2:30pm. On the way, it is all country side. Also there were a lot of hwy patrols and troopers to give out speeding tickets.. I figured that Texas is a state who needed a lot of state fund, that is why so many police are around to catch people.. The distance between San Antonio and McAllen is about 240 miles around 3-1/2 hr driving. Take hwy 281 S. go straight to I37, change to hwy59, and back to hwy 281 S., we arrived in Edinburg where Jessica lived near Univerity of Texas Pan America (UTPA) campus. Jessica lived in one-bed room with bacony. Can you guess how much is the rent? $315 per month. How much did she pay for preminum cable and internet? $13 per month. I was totally shocked.. How can the livinig expense so cheap around here?

Edinburg is a college town where UTPA located. UTPA is one of UT system, but there are a lot of Mexicans studies over here, because the town is only 30 min away from Reynosa, Mexico, which grouped a lot of international manfactuors, such as LG, Samsung, Toyota, etc. McAllen actually is a really rich town and more than 99% of Mecians lived there. Most of citizens were doing business for living. UTPA had over 100 years MBA programs. Orignially, I thought that is what kind school? actually, i was attending set-up group meeting for their UTPA alumi association in San Antonio. it is a really nice school with a lot of resources. a lot of computers and books in the library.. Free movie night.. entertainment center..