Piedras Negras Mexico

Originally, I did not plan to go to Mexico on my trip to Eagle Pass. With the elections and the anti-Mexican sentiment, I didn't not sure how things would be in terms of attitudes towards Americans. When I was working at the booth, I asked how it was over across the border. I was told that it was perfectly safe as long as I was back before 6PM. I had no intention of being out past 6PM, so I figured I would go over and check out Piedras Negras.

After going to the casino and getting a good night's rest, I headed over to the bridge.

Highway traffic approaching border crossing with Exxon station visible under overcast sky

Knowing that they most likely took pesos, and also with a favorable exchange rate, I decided to exchange my money before heading over.

Small yellow currency exchange booth with DOLARES sign and Mexican flag, person at service window Hand holding Mexican peso bills including 20 peso note with blue tones against gravel ground

I walked to the bridge and then paid my toll.

Empty street along border with international bridge structure visible in background, cloudy afternoon International border checkpoint building with SPEED BUMP AHEAD sign and pickup truck on street Vintage payment turnstile machine marked U.S.U.S and LINEAR 2 with red and yellow buttons

Unlike Progreso or Juarez, there wasn't anyone hanging on the bridge trying to sell stuff. With my lack of being able to speak Spanish and only being able to pick out a few words, I have a feeling this sign had something to do with it.

Spanish warning sign on chain-link fence prohibiting vending and soliciting in bridge area

One thing I noticed while walking across was a bunch of soccer fields with the border patrol right next to them. That has to be interesting with border patrol being that close. I wonder if they help referee the games.

Multiple soccer fields with goals visible from elevated vantage point under cloudy sky

I got a look at the other side before the supposed wall is going to go up.

View through chain-link fence of river with buildings and vegetation on opposite bank

I finally made it to the border line. There were a few plaques there.

Bronze plaque commemorating 54th anniversary of friendship embrace between Piedras Negras and Eagle Pass with Mexican and US flag emblems, dated March 18, 2016 Abrazo de la Amistad friendship monument plaque with Mexican and American flags, listing municipal presidents Detail of commemorative plaque describing historic sister city relationship and cooperation agreement Close-up of plaque text mentioning Mayors Urbano Santos Benavides and José A. Aranda Jr. signing twinning agreement Official International Boundary and Water Commission marker plaque in English and Spanish

Unlike the United States where it's a right to own a weapon, it's not so much of a right to own one in Mexico.

Bilingual border crossing signs warning about penalties for undeclared merchandise and firearms being illegal in Mexico

After walking across the bridge, I noticed the huge flag pole. I was told this is one of the biggest flags in Mexico. I think there was supposed to be crappy weather so they didn't have it out, but the pole was enormous.

Tall bare flagpole extending into partly cloudy blue sky

I walked over to this other area that overlooked the river. I could see the United States well from there.

Large empty concrete plaza with soccer fields and bridge visible in distance under overcast sky Paved plaza area with mature trees and red railing overlooking fields below Wide river view with international bridge spanning across, soccer fields on far bank International bridge crossing over river with pedestrians walking across, water and vegetation below

The plaza area was actually pretty nice. Just like Juarez, it does seem like Mexico is making a valid effort to clean things up and make it more pleasant for tourists.

Wide plaza view with commercial buildings, trees, and colorful mural wall visible in distance under overcast sky Public plaza with palm trees, parked vehicles, and church bell tower visible in background on cloudy day

Off in a distance, you could still see it was 'Ole Mexico.

Wet residential street after rain with billboard reading NUESTRAS MANOS and colorful plaza wall, palm trees lining road

The town name sign was pretty cool.

Large PIEDRAS NEGRAS city sign with green dimensional letters mounted on white structure, palm trees behind

There was a cool statue and church in that area.

AL DEFENSOR DE LA PATRIA military monument with soldier statue on pedestal, surrounded by yellow caution tape during renovation Downtown street with colonial pink church tower dominating skyline, parked cars along narrow road, overcast conditions Historic pink colonial church with twin bell towers and crosses, arched entrance, classical Mexican religious architecture

There were benches with a tile covering.

Curved public art sculpture covered in colorful tiles with burgundy and yellow geometric patterns in park setting Tiled wave sculpture installation with church bell tower visible behind, traffic and parked vehicles on adjacent street View underneath colorful tiled arch sculpture showing patterned ceiling, church tower framed through opening, concrete support columns Close-up detail of tiled sculpture surface showing individual tiles in burgundy, pink, coral, and yellow arranged in geometric pattern

In the middle of the plaza was this bird statue art piece.

Abstract angular metal sculpture with branching forms in rust brown, mounted against modern glass building facade

I walked over to the other side side of the plaza to another set of benches with the tile covers. This time, you could still tell you were in Mexico with the wires hanging out. I know by US safety standards, this would never fly.

Tree-lined park pathway with benches and wet pavement after rainfall, mature shade trees creating canopy Modern plaza space with white walls, street lights, tall cypress tree, and orange traffic cones under cloudy sky Underside of tiled structure showing burgundy and orange geometric ceiling pattern with hanging light fixture and concrete column

As I was looking at them, a guy sitting on the bench said something. I couldn't quite hear him so I walked over and said hi. He spoke in decent English and we started talking a bit. He asked me if I was from Eagle Pass and I told him I was from Austin. He mentioned he lived in Chicago for a while and then I mentioned I was originally from Wisconsin. I then asked him where the nearest liquor store was and he got up and said he'd show me. Now you're probably thinking, this seems pretty sketchy. One thing I have found by traveling in the Valley of Texas and also into Mexico is people are insanely friendly and helpful. When I talk to the port supervisors at the booth and ask them about the other side, they give me tips and then give me their personal cell phone number in case I run into any issues. This has been the case at several ports and I have not asked for their number or anything. It's just the way they are. Well I had it in the back of my mind that this guy could be leading me somewhere else, but he was taking me down the road that I scouted on Google Maps, so it all seemed fine.

Rainy downtown street with dentist office sign Dr. Rodolfo Siller C. DENTISTA, wet pavement, vehicles passing through

Another dead give away I was in Mexico was the drainage of the roads. They don't seem to have that down too well, so there was a lot of standing water.

Street puddle reflecting surroundings, yellow-painted curb with grass growing through, wet asphalt surface Large puddle on brick plaza reflecting cloudy sky, wet paved surface after rain

We walked a couple blocks and made it to the liquor store.

Small liquor store entrance with BEER LIQUORS WINES signage and Amstel Light advertisement poster Commercial building exterior with large Tecate beer brand sign and BEER text on white facade

The guy even acted as a translator for me and the shopkeeper. I asked him if he wanted one of the big 40oz'ers for his trouble and he mentioned he needed a dollar for the toll on the bridge. I gave him $2 as I was paying for the liquor.

We then walked back in the direction of the bridge.

Downtown street after rainfall with colorful buildings, decorative street lamps with flower baskets, parked vehicles, wet pavement

He went back to the bench he was sitting and I kept walking with my bottles to the bridge. Suddenly, he got up and came across the street again. He wanted to sell me his USA flag necklace that he was wearing for $10. I don't wear jewelry and that definitely felt really sketchy so I declined and went back to the bridge. There was a plaque on the bridge, but you could tell just by the sidewalk which country you were in.

Pedestrian bridge walkway with yellow safety barriers, stamped concrete surface, chain-link fence, and traffic lanes visible International Boundary and Water Commission marker plaque in English and Spanish mounted on bridge structure

When I got to the US border station, I was greeted by an eagle and a long line.

Colorful sculptural eagle with outstretched wings in red, yellow, and blue on white pedestal, parking area behind, dramatic cloudy sky United States Border Station building with pedestrians walking along yellow-railed pathway toward entrance under overcast sky

At least I didn't have to wait in my car, like the other people. Their line seemed to move much slower.

Multiple vehicle lanes at border crossing checkpoint with yellow barriers, traffic cones, and blue inspection canopy structures

I paid the federal and state taxes on my liquor. The tax almost came out to the same as I paid for the liquor.

Three liquor bottles on counter - two Bacardi Añejo rum bottles flanking center Presidente brandy bottle

After paying the taxes, I hit the road back to Austin. It was a 4 hour drive and I was happy to get back and out of the stop and go traffic of both San Antonio and Austin. It was cool that I got to see Piedras Negras and also the only casino in Texas as well as combining this to be a work trip. I had planned on hitting up the casino, but being able to go to Mexico was an added bonus. The crazy thing is, between Progreso, Juarez, and now Piedras Negras, I had basically been to Mexico 3 times in a month. I think I might have to take a few more trips if things remain safe and US relations remain somewhat stable (or visit before they become unstable).

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