Two years ago, I road tripped down to Brownsville, TX from Grand Rapids, MI. From there we walked across the bridge into Mexico to visit the markets for the day. It was wierd. Brownsville is a really high processed town. There was alot of people just standing at the border line on mexico's side, and the occasionally sellers of fruit or hats. Once we got past the entrance area, we took a bus taxi. (Theres alot of taxis and bus drivers transporting people to the market). The drive was a little crazy.. not used to no seat belts (You can tell i am a newbie traveller..lol). 

When we got to the market, it was neat. There were so many things they were selling.. (ALOT of illegal stuff,...one thing I noticed was that they were selling endangered animal skins, and parrots in small cages)...I didnt really like that..but I figure its something you see alot of in other countries with different laws. The guys at the market kinda pestered us a bunch (i went with two guys and another girl) This is because they were used to tourists, and were just trying to make money.

I got some really pretty marble goblets from the market. I had to haggle for the price, and that was a totally new experience.. and no thanks to my friends who didnt really help me. I kept thinking I was being rude..lol.  After I bought that though, the other sellers kept trying to show me stuff and I had to keep my head down and say no thanks.

We had dinner at a pretty nice resturant near the markets, not sure of the name. I loved that beer was so cheap in mexico, drank alot of Corona for very cheap. (I advise against drinking the water, just for safety reasons). Then we headed back home. So, that was my micro-trip to mexico. :)

i went on two seperate day cruises around banderas bay, which is where puerto vallarta is located. the first was with the 'sarape.' we went snorkeling at los arcos, and stopped in at las animas for a couple hours to swim, snorkel, lounge in the sun, eat fresh coconuts and mangos, and roll in the sand like content little pups. that particular cruise ended with a visit to the little village of quimixto, where i hiked a number of miles to a waterfall.

Las animas was my favorite adventure, as i had never been to any tropical destinations before, aside from the french riviera. the people were so warm, and i loved the old man with the coconuts.

Quimixto is one of three remote beaches south of puerto vallarta that is only accessible by boat. it is a tiny village comprised of about 200-250 families, whose sole income is the rental of horses, which tourists often take to the waterfall. this was the third part of the 'sarape' cruise. it began to rain when we arrived, but it was so fun! i hiked, barefoot, through the muddy streets of this little village, through the jungle, up to a waterfall where i swam through the strong current to stand beneath the water that pounded down over the rocks from above. i did slip and fall on my tailbone. that really hurt. there is a picture of me...