Pride, and a need for a better life.

A Statement of Pride rising high above the sidewalk, downtown Albuquerque


El Paso on the other hand is different. It has no North side that I can identify. It has a lower valley. That is from the Rio Grande and probably the part below I-10. The above that is the Valley. Fort Bliss in in the middle of the upper Valley and to the East is the biggest housing spread you can imagine. It is new and goes on for ever. The base is getting ready for a lot of folks and figures it will last a long time. To the west you find UTEP and a mountain range. The mountains here shown are part of these. They are the highest points in Texas. A road goes around them by UTEP to the West Side and then another road goes through them to the West Side. I have been staying a lot on the West Side. Las Cruces is up the road from there about 35 miles. A very large pole with a very very large Mexican Flag is just over the border across the river in Juarez. This flag can be seen for miles and sort of just hits you in the face as you drive toward the border on the Freeway. Pride is what this flag is about. Proud of a heritage. Even so the place where the flag sits is the worst part of Juarez. The city of 3 1/2 million or so is layered I am told. Some of the worst is by the border. A lot of poverty. People live in cardboard boxes and have zero income. The some of the city is more upscale. Some from one side help those on the other. Help can mean food. It leaves the question of how much help can it take to make a difference. It is interesting to find many quietly working to help. Often one person at a time. Pride and need exist together. A proud people. So much need.