Yesterday Tom and I traveled through El Paso, Texas. We stopped for awhile and walked across the border to Mexico. It was a little scary because a U.S. bridge guard saw me taking photos just outside the U.S. side of the bridge and came out to order me to erase any photos I had just taken and that if I didn’t my camera would be confiscated. She made it a point to tell me not to take any photos of the border police. Then she told me to be sure not the drink the water when I crossed the border. It was interesting that she came to talk to me, the only white person around, and did not appear interested in making sure anyone else knew of any consequences that were possible.
As we crossed the bridge we took photos anyway. There was graffiti all over the walls to the canal channel below us. Mexico appears to have an active peace movement. We walked around the streets a little, then walked back into the U.S. where we were requested to show i.d. (we did not have to do this going into Mexico). On the U.S. side were blocks of markets set up to cater to those coming across the border to shop.
All along the border of El Paso was “The Fence”. Complete with cameras and lights. Miles and miles of barbed wire fences – one on either side of the Rio Grande River Canal. Although I had read of this, I still could not believe what I saw. My photos are below, but don’t do justice to actually being there seeing it. Read a history of the border fence here.
Then another surprise. After leaving El Paso and then getting into New Mexico, there was a mandatory border crossing checkpoint where all cars had to exit the freeway (in fact the freeway had a section closed just for this) and go through a checkpoint. Again, I have posted photos below.
There is talk of taking a field trip during the convention here in Tuscon to Nosgales to see the border fence here. I will go see it before leaving the area for sure.
Deanna Dee-Dee Taylor 