Living here in El Paso is a really unique experience.
Being so close to the Mexican border has been fascinating for me. So, when I received an invitation to go on a tour of the border with some spouses from the 32nd AAMDC I knew I had to go!
The Border Patrol took us on a tour of the border here in El Paso. We saw the border fence from several places around the city, including a beautiful overview spot, and we also toured the Border Patrol processing facility. During the tour, we were briefed on the history of the Border Patrol and how they conduct operations in the El Paso area. I learned so much on this tour! I’ve been telling my husband about all of the fascinating things I’ve learned. Nearly every day since I remember more and have to share.
Here are some of the pictures that I was able to capture during the tour.
Our tour guide was very knowledgeable. He’s been with the Border Patrol since 1999, (I believe) and has seen lots of changes over those years, especially since 9/11. He currently works within the Border Patrol Public Affairs Office.
This picture was taken from inside the bus, so I apologize for the glare. This is what the border fence looked like before 9/11. It was just a string of barb-wire fence. Compare that to the current fence…
Big difference, huh?
This fence is 9 feet high with small with teeny tiny holes. Now, that’s not to say that someone wanting to cross over can’t still find a way to get over (or under). But, it is a much bigger deterrent, especially as it is under constant watch.
There are areas in which there are small holes to allow wildlife to crawl underneath the fence for animal humane reasons.
Isn’t this view just amazing??!! I love this wide open land that I have the opportunity to live in!
The border follows along the path of the Rio Grande River. In the above photo, everything to the left of the fence is the United States and the land to the right of the fence is Mexico.
The Border Patrol agents were describing some of the dangers they face, one of them being rocks thrown at them as they are on patrol.
This is one of many old monuments that used to serve as markings for the border pre-9/11.
Looking over into Mexico.
There is a railroad track that runs along the border as well.
This is a cross erected at the top of Mount Cristo Rey. This year marks the 75th Anniversary of the monument and there is an annual pilgrimage there held the last Sunday of October. My husband was able to hike up to the monument with some other chaplains before Easter this past year.
Here is another border monument located right on top of the border. Everything in front of this monument, including where I was standing is in the United States and everything behind it is Mexico. There is a Mexican museum right behind and to the left of this monument.
This is in a spot called three points where the borders of El Paso, Texas, New Mexico and Mexico touch.
This is looking over into the city of Juarez, Mexico. Juarez is one of the most dangerous cities in the world. It is filled with extremely poor living conditions, corruptness, and is known for violence, narcotics trafficking, and unsolved murders.
Can you imagine living in these desperate conditions and looking basically across the street to see the wealth of America?
Here we are looking at a tunnel known as a spot where immigrants try to cross over illegally.
This tunnel (and others like it) is well patrolled and watched constantly.
The tunnels cannot be closed off because they serve as protection against flooding during the rainy season.
Again, looking over into Juarez, Mexico, just across the border.
After this point of the tour, we went to the Border Patrol processing center. Understandably, photography was not allowed in the processing center. I will say that I was very impressed with the facility and the agents that we met during our time on the tour.
We had lunch at a Mexican restaurant in downtown El Paso, El Luchador.
I had the Al Pastor Tacos with refried beans and rice and it was delicious!!!
These are all license plates from Chihuahua, the Mexican state located across the border.
This was such a fun and informative tour!
I came away from it with a greater appreciation for the Border Patrol and the work that they do along with a prayerful heart for the Mexican people living in such desperate conditions so close to the live of ease that I have.
Being an Army spouse can be really, really hard. It’s hard to live so far away from family and it’s hard to move every few years. It’s hard to experience deployments and separations and unending stress that come with this unique military lifestyle.
But, being able to go on a tour like this makes me appreciate the opportunities that I have because we are a part of the military.
Thank you for allowing me to share this tour with you!