Day 222. March 16, 2014. Rowboat to Mexico!

LOCATION:  Another day at Big Bend National Park, in SW Texas

WEATHER:  Cooler, high about 60. Sunny

We took a nature walk in the AM with the park ranger.  The focus was the diversity of the landscape here in the park....river, desert, mountains.

Then we and our camper friends from San Francisco went to the official crossing to Mexico.  First, the rangers told us the process and rules.  Then we walked down the path to the river.  The Mexicans on the other side, about 25 yards away, then starting singing.  One jumped in his rowboat and picked us up ($5 per person round trip).  

He  rowed us over and we were met by a group of men, asking our travel preference into town......horseback, donkey or pickup truck.  

We decided just to walk.  Then, they assigned us a guide.  He took us to Mexican immigration where lots of forms were processed.  Then, he took us to one of the 2 restaurants in town.  

We chose the non-touristy one.  We shared a platter of tamales, and had a Carta Blanca.  The señora cooking brought us some complimentary tostados  with refried  beans.  

We walked around the town with our guide The town is really poor.  No running water.  Some houses have a bit of solar electricity, if it is a sunny day.  Most cook with mesquite. After walking around, we went to their bar.  George tried a home-made drink called sotol, kind of like tequila.  

Then, we had to go back to Mexican immigration for more paperwork.

  There are about 50 families living there.  The nearest town is 5 hours away.  The people ride horses around.  The only industry is tourism.  After 9-11, the USA closed this border crossing, so the town almost just died.  The only income was when Mexicans sneaked across the border and left their trinkets and crafts on Oark trails,  and a jar for Americans to leave money for the purchase.  Some people still do this.  However, if the rangers see these trinkets, they confiscate everything.  Also, sometimes the Mexican horses and cows wander across the river.  The US officials take the animals away and sell them.  I feel so sorry for these poor people.   The border reopened in April, 2013 along with a $3.5 million US border station....to process a very small number of people who cross. What terrible bureaucracy!  Some of the people returned. 

We walked back to the boat, with children following us, trying to sell trinkets.  Then we were rowed back, and went through US immigration and customs.  It was an interesting trip.

We drove up to the highest peak in the park, and took a hike up the mountain.  Beautiful views!  It was a lot colder and windier there.

DINNER:  Omelette with potatoes, cheese, onion, garlic, and leftover stuffing from the portabello dinner a few days ago.  On the side, we had tomatoes and tomatillos drizzled with olive oil and lemon juice.