Lately, when I ride in Granjeno I think about the border wall. Property owners in Granjeno will be affected, but recent news is better: the wall will be built on the levees, instead of running straight through people's yards and homes. I do not approve of illegal immigration, but I think the wall will be a colossal waste of money. And as with all government projects, it has been compromised by special interests. But it will probably be built, and people that are mostly unaffected by immigration will falsely feel safer, and that their culture has somehow been protected against the influx of Mexican culture.
Granjeno was settled in 1767, and the current cemetery was started in 1872. Both Mexicans and Americans are buried there, including veterans of the Civil War. Somehow I don't think they would agree that the solution to illegal immigration is to isolate the residents on both sides of the border.
And in total contrast with the wall, the Anzalduas Bridge is rapidly being constructed. Business interests are driving this one, as they are hungry for the money that wealthy Mexicans spend in the Rio Grande Valley as well as to facilitate faster crossing for freight and personnel of the maquiladoras. The US side starts in Granjeno. I drive by the Mexican construction zone daily, but I only see the US side when I cycle. They are making great progress, which is great news for me as it will potentially change my 45 min commute to a 20 minute commute. And in case the operator of this crane get confused, he need only to look at the back of his rig to figure out which side of the bridge he should be constructing.
2 comments:
wow, I've been gone for a long time.
There's also a cool little store in Granjeno right next to the bridge. You can sit in the back of the store at a picnic table under a shade tree and drink a cold beer, if you're so inclined. Unfortunately, I usually think about this after a ride, and don't want to cycle home with a buzz.
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