We got there at 3:15. The line was like a mile long that wrapped around building structures and small restaurants. We started out by buying cheap churros and Scott freaked out... He thought we might get sick from them! There was a diverse group crossing the border in cars and by foot. There was a woman crossing the border in crazy high heels! The people who were trying to earn money (street beggars and performers) did so by trying to entertain us or letting their situations speak for themselves. The majority of the beggars were women with children while the few men were usually handicapped. A woman who had joined us from Scott's church bought a combination of fresh fruit and veggies, tostos chips, chili spice (all mixed together!). We were not as adventurous and stuck to churros, pancakes, ice cream, and soda. When we finally thought we had reached the end of the line, we were ushered into a building with six photos of top drug traffickers, which reminded us of the war on drugs and how we don't hear much about it. Maggie Meagher got stopped and checked at the border because she had an apple in her bag that they thought she was trying to smuggle in! (It was from the US, in the morning). There was less security there than at the airport, which was surprising. Crossing the border on either side made us realize how the Mexican and US governments each respond to foreigners entering their countries. We finally got back to the bus by 6:35 (over a 3 hour wait!). We had boxed lunches when we got back (at 8:15pm), debriefed on our day at the Dorcas House and at the border, then some people went night swimming, then to bed!
Pictures above are of the very long line we waited in, and of the actual border.
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