Well I had some business to take care of in NP, so off I go. Beautiful summer day, but business is not so beautiful in NP. I cross through the bridge more or less alone, just a few stragglers and a rather rough looking guy that seemed to be in a hurry. He could have thought I was kind of a rough looking guy in not that much of a hurry. He gave some coin to the beggars, which is an indicator of sorts to some level of humanity. A non-human person is not going to give anything to anybody without somebody watching, or if it doesn’t involve some sort of game that involves some kind of return from the one that’s been gifted.
The Aduana (Mexican Customs) was idling as usual by their little railroad crossing bar; they don’t have too much to do now that the army is there. They still shake down the occasional Mexican that comes back with merchandise, but that’s about all. The army looks for the guns. Sometimes they check cars leaving the country as well.
One of the curious things that I have noticed, among the many others that I can’t help but notice is that of the two sets of Military and Federals on either side of the river, the ones that are most secure and have the least to worry about, as far as their personal safety are the American constabulary. They are very much white knuckled, ready to shoot, rifle at ready, in the combat ready position, just 45 degrees away from line of sight aiming position to press the trigger; Unleashing a three bullet burst with deadly intent. The Mexicans, on the other hand, who have a mucho, mucho, more probability of getting shoot are much more relaxed. Obviously the Mexican Security Chiefs, have failed to strike enough terror into their troops. Their indoctrination is lacking. Needs to be beefed up. More paranoia please!
If you cross the Rio Grande you’ll see what I mean. Everyone I talk to tells me the same thing that I see for myself. As far as storm trooper attitude goes the Yanquis have it hands down.
Entering into Nuevo Progreso, I recall the events of the last few days; twenty people killed in a nightclub in Monterrey, 11 more in Torreon, 10 more outside of Mexico City, and on it goes. Small and even medium sized towns now lawless and deserted. The streets are almost deserted in NP, hardly anyone here.
In the middle of the summer in days gone by, there were thousands of visitors a day, coming to the Valley, seeing relatives, going to the beach, visiting Mexico, enjoying life. Things will change again. Even in Juarez, murder city they call it, people have come back to the streets at night. They go to events, visit the Plaza, go out to eat. Not that it’s any safer, just that life must go on. If La Santa Muerte gets you, well at least your children may survive. Also where and when do you hide? The cartels have access to mercenaries and military experts from across the world. One of the prime rules of warfare is to strike when your enemy least expect you to strike. They don’t necessarily follow any time table. So take your daily dose of fatalism and enjoy what life you have, while you have it.
Reporting from an undisclosed location below the checkpoints, until next time hasta la vista.
