We are four miles from the U.S./Mexico border, and sometimes we can find places on the north side of that border that feel very much like we are in Mexico. For example, we like to try some of the local cafes in the area. One day we were searching for a different authentic Mexican food place, and we stopped in at a random store front with a little sign. The only word we recognized on the sign outside was "enchiladas."
We soon realized that we were the only ones in the restaurant that didn't speak Spanish. They had no menu so we couldn't even point at pictures or use google translate to order. After an awkward few minutes with our waiter, we finally got something ordered. We sat back and waited, wondering what we had ordered, how many we ordered, and how much it would cost. It worked out well, as we were very pleased with the food that soon arrived at our table. We found out that this is the way a real enchilada is served in the Veracruz area of Mexico. We enjoyed our corn tortillas with a little cheese folded in half and smothered in green sauce with thinly sliced grilled chicken served on top. A great value for just $8!
Another day we were looking for a variation of the franchise Tex-Mex food that we are more familiar with. We stopped in at an open-air place called Nana's.
The locals here told us to order their specialty--lonches. Their fried bread spears are stuffed with meat, and then covered in cabbage, cilantro, tomatoes and avocado. You won't find this dish on the Taco Bell menu, and their charro beans were great!
For another touch of Mexico, we enjoy going to the local flea markets all over the Rio Grande Valley. We've been to a couple new ones this winter. This one is located close to Mile 7 Road and Conway Avenue in McAllen. While it has very little parking, most of the patrons just drive in front of the vendor booths, and make their purchases from their vehicles. Here we found an unusual assortment of animals to buy that included rabbits,
parakeets,
quail, pheasant, guinea, duck, goats, sheep, and of course chickens. We could have also purchased the hay to feed some of those animals, as well as clothing and damaged and out-of-date health and beauty items. Who knew that hot items at the local flea markets are contact lenses? It appeared that we were the only non-hispanic shoppers at this market, and very little English was spoken. But we can communicate using a combination of finger-pointing and our limited Spanish. We don't need to buy any animals, but we did end the day with a lovely assortment of fruit and vegetables for just $9. It's not unusual to see avocados priced at 3 for $1, and pineapples for $1.50. Those cherry tomatoes were 50 cents. It's a cheap cultural experience to attend a flea market, and it feels very much like you are in Mexico. But it's better, because you wouldn't be allowed to take that fresh produce across the border if you bought it in Mexico.
Produce prices are low because much of it is grown right in our neighborhood. We like driving on the lesser-traveled roads that take us along the agricultural fields. The fields of cabbages remind Denisa of rows of rose blooms.
We bought a beautifully fresh large head of cabbage for just $1 at the produce truck that stops in our RV park.
As we look south across those agricultural fields, we can see parts of the unfinished border wall. We don't understand why there are often longer sections, then spaces between single wall sections.
Another Mexican cultural experience is attending a local folklorico performance.
Many of the high schools in this area have outstanding music departments, and they call the traditional dance program a folklorico. The program will also include the school's mariachi band--a specialized Hispanic band. The folklorico dance performances are well attended by the locals and the winter Texans as well.
The program we attended this winter was at the University of Texas--Rio Grande, and the costumes were outstanding.
The girls' skirts are so beautiful, and they twirl and spin with them to show off the bright colors. They are made from two circles of fabric! Denisa is really coveting one of those full skirts to show off her line dance spins.
We have crossed the Mexico border many times over the years, and we have always felt very safe eating the food and enjoying the shopping south of the border in the town of Progresso, Mexico. But this year we are content staying in the United States. But we have found that we can also enjoy a bit of Mexico without crossing the border.
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