September 26, 2003 found my wife and I on vacation, visiting our long time friends, Jerry and Edna Flinn, who happen to live at a beautiful resort in Mercedes, TX, about a 10-minute drive to the International Border with Mexico at Nuevo Progreso.  Edna and my wife Sharlene had other plans for the day, and Jerry suggested that he and I should take a trip to Nuevo Progreso.  Considering how much I like Mexico and exploring new places, I jumped at the chance!  I was already getting hungry for tacos from one of the street vendors.

Left:  U.S. customs on the Texas side of the border.  Right:  Looking west at the mighty Rio Grande, from the Texas side of the border.  I was surprised how small the actual river is; maybe 60 yards wide?

From Jerry and Edna's house, it's about a 10-minute drive south to the border.  On the way south, you'll pass the Progresso High, in Progreso, Texas, where a sign announces  "Home of the Progreso Red Ants" high school football team.  Jerry and I got a laugh out of the name of that team, and we wondered if their rushing and passing games have as much "sting" as the namesake.

Most auto insurance policies will allow you to drive your own vehicle into Mexico, to a distance of 25 km, and Jerry's policy is no exception to that policy.  We chose to walk across the border and hike around town, as you can see a lot more, take pictures and generally "experience" Mexico up close and personal.  Plus, there's the added bonus of getting some exercise, and to help shed some unwanted pounds.

Left:  She's in Mexico, he's in the U.S., and Jerry is staddling "la linea" taking the photo.  Right:  As soon as you cross the border to the Mexican side, you're greeted by advertisements placed by local businesses.

On the U.S. side of the border, there's a parking lot, a duty-free store,  a small customs office, and a small building where an agent for the State of Texas hangs out.  Jerry explained to me that this is where you're supposed to declare any booze purchased in Mexico, so the State of Texas can get their fair share.  It's more-or-less collected on the honor system; nobody will harass you if you don't stop and declare your booze. We parked Jerry's truck in the parking lot that overlooks the Rio Grande River and the International Boundry. The fee for parking is $1.00 and it's collected on the honor system.  As you drive in, there's a little unmanned booth with a slot where you stick in your dollar bill, and then you can park anywhere you want to.  In keeping with this part of the country, it's very informal.

Left:  The pedestrian walkway, approaching Mexican customs.  Right: Looking over the road into Nuevo Progreso, if you're driving.

Nuevo Progreso is a small border town of only a few thousand in population, and everything is within walking distance.  By Mexican standards, the town is very clean and safe.  Nuevo Progreso is just minutes south of the Mercedes and Weslaco areas, and it is the perfect place for the first-time visitor to Mexico to experience a Mexican border town.  Nuevo Progreso has become quite well-known for a place to shop for prescriptions, liquor, tobacco, vanilla and Mexican gifts and souvenirs to take back home to the family in Nebraska.  Many people travel to Nuevo Progreso to visit the various farmacias, optometrists and dentists, whose rates are very reasonable and treatments equal to those found in the U.S.  

We paid our $.25 for the privilege of using the International Pedestrian Bridge, hiked across the Rio Grande River, or Rio Bravo, as it's called in Mexico, waved to the friendly Mexican customs agent and immediately found ourselves on Avenida  Juarez, the main drag of Nuevo Progreso.

Left:  The eagle and the serpant, the national symbol of Mexico, welcomes you to Mexico.  Right:  This building contains free, clean restrooms, which is an oddity in Mexico.

Nuevo Progreso is very small compared to most border towns and very compact; the main shopping area, or El Centro, is only a few square blocks and you can walk everywhere.  Immediately after stepping off the International Bridge, you're in El Centro, with all the shops, food vendors, sights and sounds to beckon and entice the curious visitor.  The main shopping area extends only about six blocks from the border and is only about three blocks wide. Shops line both sides of Avenida Juarez and side streets, and many buildings are several stories tall.  Nuevo Progresso has become prosperous, as it's a place where gringos come to shop and save lots of money.

Nuevo Progreso caters to tourists from the U.S. and Canada, and the city fathers have done a good job to promote that image and "sanitize" the shopping area to appeal to gringos.  You definitely know you're in Mexico, despite the facelift and clean image that the town is trying to project.  

Photos:  Av. Juarez, the main street in Nuevo Progreso, shortly after crossing the border into Mexico.

All photos on this page were taken by Jerry Flinn.