Hasta La Proxima Vez - Until Next Time

The time has come to leave this corner of the world. In such a short time, we became a part of the small community here. Despite trying to stay neutral, I can't help but feel certain ways about the situation down here. In two words: It's complicated. I always knew that people came into this country illegally, but I never truly understood what this entailed until I saw it face to face and actually talked with these people and got a glimpse of the difficult journey they endure. I gained a certain appreciation for my own life and an increased sympathy for those not as fortunate as I. I can't blame people for wanting more from their life. If I lived in a country that oppressed my ability to care for myself and my family, I would most likely go somewhere else as well. At the same time, I hate that we are so driven by the mighty dollar to risk our life and separate from our family to achieve this perceived goal of economic freedom. The people I encountered were in search of work. If at first they did not succeed in crossing into the U.S, they undoubtedly would try over and over again until they did. I had to wonder…is it all worth it? Could a life living in the shadows and working crappy jobs that most Americans don’t want to do anyway really be that appealing? However, with 45 million Mexicans living in extreme poverty, the prospect of making even $4 an hour must be sweet. I fear what will happen in the future. Immigration is becoming a very hot topic in government circles and the current administration now positions people coming into this country over unsecured borders as a threat to national security. It is not long before undocumented worker will become synonymous with potential terrorist. If all goes as proposed, billions and billions of tax dollars will be spent building a massive fence along the U.S.-Mexico border. And, anyone crossing the border illegally could end up in jail with a felony on their hands. Down in New Mexico/Mexico, the prospect of a fence was often likened to the Berlin Wall and viewed as a waste of money. As always, there is the other side of the coin. Are there even enough jobs to go around sustaining such a massive influx of migrants? Aren’t there enough people in this country as it is? Would a guest worker program really minimize illegal crossings as suggested or will it only prove to people that the opportunity in this country is very real? Is there anything the Mexican government can do to keep their citizens from wanting to leave? What incentive does the Mexican government have to stop the migration when a good portion of the money made in the U.S. eventually ends up back in Mexico and in return fuels its economy. Like I said, it’s complicated. I could go on forever. So, moving on.

I literally rode off into the sunrise to catch a plane out of El Paso content not to see or eat Mexican food for awhile. Don’t get me wrong the food was dee-lish, but I’m cool for now. As a side note, it apparently isn't that strange to carry cow skulls onto the plane. The security in the El Paso airport didn't even bat an eye as I sent a cow skull with horns and all through the x-ray machine. Just in case anyone was wondering.

Until next time, this is Jalapeña no longer on the border signing off and stepping down from the soapbox.