Katie and I had to leave at 4PM, as we had to travel to Mexico for Erika's birthday. We parked the car and walked over the bridge, not knowing how busy it was going to be. Friday and Saturday were two days of "Tourist Appreciation Days" in Nuevo Progreso. As it was 5PM when we got there, it was not too busy, and the lineup of cars on the bridge was not too bad.
We got to the Pharmacy and said hi to Yazmin,
Very soon after we arrived Erika's husband Livario, who our little Livy is named after, arrived along with Erika's Dad. We walked over to a side street, where he had to park the car because of the celebrations. There was some type of a car show, so there were quite a few Mustangs roaring around and a few motorcycles, but we made our way toward the kids house with no incidents.
We should have taken pictures of the temporary house that the family is able to stay in. The maximum is supposed to be two month. It looks pretty good from the outside, but there are still several broken windows, and there are doors to the kitchen cabinets missing, no door to the toilet which is downstairs off the living room. There is one window missing altogether on the 2nd floor.
There are only a few houses in this entire complex, but the ones that are occupied are well looked after and upscale. There is one other house that is unoccupied, with broken windows, the wiring has been stripped out of the walls, bullet holes in the windows, the toilet is not there, and is in much worse condition than the one our family is in. There are many vacant lots, and because the owner of the complex is supposed to be somewhere in the US unknown, this whole development might not ever be anything more than it is right now.
Now...ON TO THE PARTY!
We went into the outside garage area, and saw balloons hanging from the overhead door. Also a big Karaoke machine which one of Erika's friends had arranged. We also learned that her friends had supplied he food, and the family had to supply the drinks.
We got to meet Erika's mom who came by bus from Monterrey, and is staying for three days. Mom was doing some of the cooking, while Livario was doing all the barbecuing.
Our little Livy, looking cute and singing Karaoke...
What a beautiful Pinata
Livy, Eric, Mom and Dad in the background
Mom and Dad, happy with the Birthday
Later on, Juan the Dentist, came with his wife, two boys and older girl. It became much easier for Katie and I due to the fact he speaks such good english.
His kids go to school in Weslaco, the two boys to Montessori school, and the daughter to a private school. The kids will be bilingual after all is said and done. What a good thing. Erika told him in spanish that she wishes she could get the girls educated in the US so they could really learn english so they could talk directly to Katie and I.
Juan told us that Livario keeps telling him how grateful he is to Katie and I for everything that we do for them. That's so nice! We are doing it because they need it much more than us, and they are like our family now!
We had great fun, lots of laughs watching the kids and Erika's friends do Karaoke, it was just great period!
Katie never wants to head back home later, as she doesn't like to take unnecessary chances. I assured her the walk over the bridge would not be a problem as it is extremely well lit. We're usually going back no later than 7, but on this night, we didn't leave until 10:30.
Erika, along with Eric, and some of her friends drove us back to the bridge. There were lots of revelers from the tourist day celebrations, on the adjoining streets around the various bars. Erika parked the car, and Erika along with Eric, and one of her friends walked Katie and I to the bridge. We thought they were going to stop at the paid turnstyle, but instead they walked us almost to the US side. Hugs all around and we continued on.
There was one guy who obviously had too much celebration in front of us. He decided he wanted to give the border guard a hard time...didn't take long for 3 other guards and one with a dog to hover closely. After that he calmed down.
Katie got flagged again by the computer on a random basis. She has a knack for that...but the border guard said he would override it and he did.
We got home around 11PM.
and so ends another great day in the Valley....
more later...
We had great fun, lots of laughs watching the kids and Erika's friends do Karaoke, it was just great period!
Katie never wants to head back home later, as she doesn't like to take unnecessary chances. I assured her the walk over the bridge would not be a problem as it is extremely well lit. We're usually going back no later than 7, but on this night, we didn't leave until 10:30.
Erika, along with Eric, and some of her friends drove us back to the bridge. There were lots of revelers from the tourist day celebrations, on the adjoining streets around the various bars. Erika parked the car, and Erika along with Eric, and one of her friends walked Katie and I to the bridge. We thought they were going to stop at the paid turnstyle, but instead they walked us almost to the US side. Hugs all around and we continued on.
There was one guy who obviously had too much celebration in front of us. He decided he wanted to give the border guard a hard time...didn't take long for 3 other guards and one with a dog to hover closely. After that he calmed down.
Katie got flagged again by the computer on a random basis. She has a knack for that...but the border guard said he would override it and he did.
We got home around 11PM.
and so ends another great day in the Valley....
more later...
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