| We try to stay put over a weekend and the last weekend before
Christmas found us at El Paso. It also found many other people, most from
Mexico. You can see the queue of cars at the border crossing waiting to come
into the US, but not quite the thousands who pay their 35 cents toll to
cross on foot. |  |
 | Most of those were
in the town centre shopping, carrying their purchases in black plastic bags.
The quality of what was being sold was poor, but then the prices weren't
high either.. |
| We decided against crossing the border, we are still very nervous
about the US immigration. Not that we were looking for anything at all. The
toy of the holiday is the radio controlled car and at under $20 you can
judge the quality for yourselves. |  |
 | El Paso was famous
for having a pool in the centre of town that was full of live alligators.
These days it is regarded as much too dangerous (they might get sued), so
the alligators are now made of fiberglass. Somehow they don't look quite so
menacing. |
| The architecture is similar to that of many mid range American
cities, dating from the 1920s and 30s with an art deco style. I think that
they perhaps used the same set of plans and just added a few floors.
Competent but not exciting. |  |
 | Government
buildings and especially the Post Office are particularly fond of the more
classical styles like Greek columns. I suppose it was more important than it
is today. They are certainly imposing buildings. |
| Some of the older buildings feature areas of incredible
ornamentation. Quite in keeping with the very ornate street lighting. This
sort of work is rarely seen these days. Fortunately this hotel is a listed
historical building and protected just as ours are. |  |
 | There are areas of
El Paso which are very poor, areas of historic buildings, and areas of
modern architecture. This auditorium is a good example of the latter. One
wonders where the funding comes from since the area overall is basically
poor. |
| The main information centre is only open Monday to Friday, but
this transport information centre is open every day. It has a 'moat' but
like most of the rivers here, it was dry. It looked a bit odd! |  |
 | Many of the cities
have 'tram' transport systems for the tourists. This one would take you
round the town and down into Mexico for a single $12 for all day, as many
trips as you want. This sort of pricing structure is common. |
| Just next to the tram stop we found the bus station where this
greyhound had just been washed. They look filthy when they come in, mainly
as a result of the dust. |  |
 | El Paso is at the
foot of the mountains. If you go just a little north there is a scenic drive
which looks down over the city. We have been collecting skylines. What is
noticeable is the pollution in the atmosphere. This isn't more than 3-4
miles visibility. |
| The river channel you can see just above the centre of this
picture is the Rio Grande and the border. The bits to the south are Mexico.
The housing we saw there was significantly poorer than what was on the US
side and that was not wonderful! The I10 interstate runs through the
foreground. |  |
 | The further you
are from the border the better the housing. This is at the foot of the
mountains and looked a pleasant suburb - if you don't miss the grass. |
|