WHERE WE ARE AND WHY WE ARE HERE.....

Where we are staying is about 20 miles Northwest of this spot, which is where a critical battle of the Mexican-American War took place called the Battle of Palo Alto. 

 

Some of you may be wondering how in the world we got to where we are in South Texas, I mean REALLY South Texas.  When we were looking for workamper jobs, we (well, I ) decided that we should go somewhere that we had not been before.  We had two very short visits to my step-daughter Lisa's place when she was here in Texas going to school.  She was in Austin and we have a few quick visits to San Antonio and surrounding areas and I really liked Texas and hoped to come back some day.  When a job turned up in Mission, Texas, we thought we would apply for it and got it.  (The results were not the greatest, as you would have read back in our October posts).  Anyway, we did not end up in Mission, but in Donna, Texas, about 14 miles east and still very close to the US/Mexico border.  As the crow flies we are probably only about 7-8 miles from the border.  I thought it would be really interesting to experience a different culture for an extended period of time and learn about that culture.
Well, we picked the right place.  The Rio Grande Valley is a perfect blend of two cultures since it actually was Mexico at one time.  When we first got here, I was so naive that I would wonder why there were so many Hispanics living here.  Duh!!!!  This used to be Mexico!  (See sign above).  I would go to the grocery store when we first arrived here and I would be the only non-Hispanic in the store...an eerie feeling.  But the people were all SO nice and friendly I did not feel intimidated.
This part of Texas is very poor.  Especially in the summer, when the Winter Texans are not here.  I honestly do not know how they survive from April-October.  Beginning in November, the Winter Texans begin to pour in.  Several hundred thousand people arrive from Cananda (about 60%) and the rest from the Mid-West and other various parts of the US.  The locals love us and could not be any more hospitable.  And they do not try to gouge us by raising prices during the winter months.  The cost of living in this area is very low which makes it very attractive to visitors.  The Chamber of Commerce in the Rio Grande Valley reports that Winter Texans contribute about $600 million to the local economy during the winter months.  This influx of people is truly the lifeblood of the Valley. 
Not only do the Winter Texans help the Valley financially, but they are very philanthropic as well.  They contribute large amounts of money and time to the poor families across the border.  They finance an orphanage in Reynosa, work at free clincs, and sponsor a Christmas for the children in Progreso where more than 2500 children receive food, clothing and toys. 
This has been such a learning experience for me and I am going to be sad to leave in seven weeks.  I am trying to take advantage of every opportunity to learn all I can while I am here and I am so blessed to have so many channels open for to me to do so.  On Tuesday we are going on a tour of the Border Patrol Station in McAllen, Texas.  Stay tuned!!!