A Shared River

In our short time here, we have seen the Rio Grande from many angles as it flows gently along (very gently during this drought) creating a natural border between the United States and Mexico. Despite the international border, most folks in the Big Bend area consider those across the river to be neighbors. The divisions, after all, are man-made, and the inhabitants of both sides share the same climate, the same topography, and many of the same challenges.

When fires burn here in the park, many of those employed to fight the fires come from the small Mexican town just across the park border - and prior to 9/11 the small town of Boquillas, Mexico just across the river relied heavily on tourism dollars from park guests who crossed over from the park for a few hours or a day to visit the remote village, purchase hand made trinkets and enjoy tacos or burritos at the two small restaurants. In addition to the tourist dollars spent on modest meals and hand crafted trinkets, many villagers made a modest living providing transportation to visitors to get across the river and then from the river to the town by either burro or truck bed.

Since 9/11, the border crossing in the park has been closed. Without the tourist dollars, the families of Boquillas, the remote Mexican village with no electricity and limited access to modern communications have struggled to find alternative livelihoods.  Fortunately, the border crossing has once again re-opened.

Just over 3 weeks ago, the crossing, which includes a small new re-entry building on the U.S. side that utilizes a Kiosk and remote conversations with border agents in El Paso, opened to park visitors five days a week and visitors are once again making the short trip across the river to spend the day in the neighboring town of  Boquillas. The photo above was taken from the U.S. side of the crossing. Across the river you can see that industrious Mexican men are waiting with trucks and burros to take tourists up to the town. As Andre & I do have our passports with us, we plan to make the trip over to the village in the next week or two, perhaps with some other volunteers from the park. We will report back on the adventure!


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