Today I spent my time wondering around McAllen. We've been pointedly asked to not go to Mexico, which is only about 10 miles south, so I searched the paper for something to do locally. There's an old theater called Cine El Rey about 25 minutes by foot away from the hotel. Today I saw a film called At the Death House Door. It was about a man named Carlos De Luna who was convicted and executed for a murder he most likely didn't commit. It also talked a lot about the minister who worked at Huntsville prison where Carlos was executed. Very interesting, but a little long.
I arrived at the theater about 2 hrs. before the film so I walked around. It felt a lot like Mexico with almost everyone being Hispanic and all the signs in Spanish. While I was taking pictures, this man hobbled to his wheelchair and then crossed the street just to come over and talk to me. His name is Lester and he told me all about his life. I got quite a few looks being the only white person walking around the neighborhood. I think many of the residents wondered what the gringa with the camera was doing though most where polite enough to wait until after I passed to talk about me.
Well, tomorrow's another day. Maybe I'll have some real information for you then. Adios!
Hi, Tracie
ReplyDeleteToo bad there aren’t some more interesting things to do on your McAllen vacation. Doesn’t sound like much of a tourist destination. I have been trying to remember the story, but it seems to me that your great-great uncle Oren Kendall and his wife Vivian used to go down to that area quite regularly during the winter months. I know there was somebody they were related to, but I don’t know which side of the family. All I remember is mention of places such as Harlingen, McAllen and Brownsville. Oren used to love to shoot rattlesnakes with the pistol he always carried.
The Valley (Rio Grande Valley) is the place from which many migrant workers would come to Hector for field work. If you get in a conversation, ask if they know about Minnesota.
The astronaut, Mike Fossom came from McAllen, also film director Catherine Hardwicke (Thirteen, Lords of Dogtown)
If I were in McAllen, I would visit the McAllen Botanical Gardens (9 acres), also known as McAllen Nature Center or the Valley Nature Center . They are a city-operated botanical gardens and a nature preserve located in West McAllen at 4101 West Business US 83, McAllen, Texas. They are open daily without charge. The gardens were established in 1962, with an emphasis on palms. They also contain picnic areas and hiking trails.
Stay away from the Wells Fargo Bank on W. Nolana. A women was robbed of her purse and cell phone at the automatic teller there on Monday evening. Three kids held her at gun point.
The Chamber recommends a hand-drawn ferry (Los Ebanos), the International Museum of Art & Science, Museum of South Texas History and the Virgen de San Juan del Valle Shrine.
If you’re there on Sept 22, Sue, the T-Rex skeleton is coming to Edinburgh, which is pretty close. It would be well worth seeing.
OK, that’s all I know about McAllen.
I would just as soon that TSA and FEMA decide they don’t need you and you could come back quickly. I’m not sure how long Jessie can hold out. Tom and I have bets down on the 19th.
Love, Dad
Any word?
ReplyDeleteI'm assuming since there isn't another blog post you *MAYBE* are off doing something for work or are packing up and heading home?
I'll cross my fingers!
Also, when is your approved vacation? I thought it was this week? Are they able to pull the permission in the case of a natural disaster or something?
Keep us up-to-date!
(PS-Pastor Stewart: You should be a travel guide in your next life! That last post made *ME* want to go to Texas!)