What sort of people call Nuevo Progreso their home?  What do they do for a living?  What do they do for pleasure?
That is similar to asking the same questions about Anysmalltown, U.S.A. ...

Left:  He works hard for his money, working six days a week at Taqueria Victor, producing some of the best tacos that you'll ever have the pleasure to eat. Right:  This gentleman allowed us to photograph him, as he was in front of his shop along Blvd. Benito Juarez.

You've probably heard the old saying that pretty well describes the U.S. and Mexico, and the saying goes something like this:  "No two countries could be so close together, yet so far apart."  In many ways, that's a very true statement, as the culture, laws, social structure, and the general "mindset" of the two countries are very different.  Despite the fact that the city fathers of Nuevo Progreso have tried to "sanitize" and make the town very family and "gringo" friendly, well, you're still in Mexico.  Indeed when you cross the border, at once you realize that you're in a foreign country, and a "Third World" country, although Mexico is a very prosperous "Third World" country, and Nuevo Progreso is a prosperous Mexican town.

Left:  We were walking along Ave. Benito Jaurez and noticed these guys setting tile, without the aid of chalk or a plumb line.  These guys are truly skilled, as they set the tile perfectly.  When we asked them about it, they just shrugged their shoulders and said "Asi lo es que so," or "That's the way it is..."  Right:  The guy in the middle sells avacados from a push cart on the street, and the other guys are customers.

Jerry and I share a love of Mexico and Mexican culture, and we also share a passion for "street photography."  The term "street photography" loosely describes wandering around in town, and taking photos of anything and everything of interest, however most people associate street photography with taking photos of people, both candid and semi-posed, doing the things they do on a regular basis, that is really not a big deal.  If you are a resident of Nuevo Progreso, doing your job, shopping, visiting with friends and neighbors may seem boring and mundane, but if you have a passion to take photos of people doing what they do, Nuevo Progreso is an outstanding place to visit, as the residents are enthusiastic, energetic, and most seem flattered that you want to snap their photo.

Left:  Inside the small mall at Nuevo Progreso, about 3 blocks from the U.S. border, Roberto maintans a shop that sells drinks, both in the alcholic and non-alcoholic variety.  Right:  These local folks are having a good time at the small shopping mall at Nuevo Progreso.

Speaking of culture, let's talk about the Spanish language.  Yes, Spanish is the language of Mexico, but in border areas, including Nuevo Progreso, English is widely spoken.  In almost all cases, there will be somebody nearby who will be happy to translate for you.  It is not absolutely necessary to know even a word of Spanish, but if you know even a few common words of phrases, it will open many doors for you.  Even if you murder the language, the locals will love you for it, and you'll receive many big smiles for your efforts.

Left:  A friendly municipal police officer allows us to snap his photo.  Right:  On Ave. Benito Juarez, marimba players serinade a norteamericano tourist, to the right of the photo.

Nuevo Progreso is filled with many hardworking, friendly, family-oriented citizens.  Like in most of Mexico, life revolves around the family, the Catholic church, and the family business, in many cases, small restaurants, puestos, and even mobile restaurants mounted to a tricycle.  Mexico is a country of small business owners and Nuevo Progreso is no exception.

Left:  Marimba players serinade shoppers in Nuevo Progreeso.  Right:  A local woman purchases a huge doll from a shop along Ave. Benito Juarez.

Jerry and I spent several hours, mostly in the Zona Central, photographing the hard-working citizens of Nuevo Progreso. We were met with nothing but friendship, friendly smiles and questions like, "Why would you want to take my picture, I'm only doing my job... ?"

Left:  How could I resist taking the photo of this gentleman?  He sells roasted corn and other delights from a portabable restaurant, along Blvd. Benito Juarez.  Right:  Meanwhile, we digress to a "supermarket" in Nuevo Progreso, where this gal specilizes in nopalitos, cactus leaves, which is a very popular commodity in the Mexican state of Tamulipas.

At the time of my visit to Nuevo Progreso, in September 2003, I hadn't "gone digital," so all photos featured in this chapter are digital photos, courtesy of Jerry Flinn.