The center of San Andres is a busy place. Richard stopped at the tourism office, and basically found out that there were no tourist attractions in town, although there were some in the surrounding jungle.
We visited the church next to the plaza. A large church, with a black Christ on the side altar, with one woman holding on to Christ's leg, and praying fervently. When she was finished praying, she kissed the wound on Christ's knee, and had her son kiss His knee. Richard read a bulletin board about the day of the immigrant, saying that people left because there was no work. A man reading the board told Richard that there was no work here, and that the government officials were rats, stealing from the people, living in big houses.
The prayer in the photo below, on the bulletin board in the church, is "Prayer of the Migrant", "Lord, I and my family are poor. Help me to live with dignity. I am unemployed and there is no work. Don't let me be defeated. I have decided to go in search of a better life; help me to do so with courage. I am leaving my family and friends; I leave them in your care. I am afraid of the unknown; I have confidence in you. I don't know what the future holds, but I know that you are watching over me. I don't want to just survive; show me the road to life. I don't have papers, I don't know the way, I go struggling against death. I want to make money and return, see my family, and be happy. All that remains me is trust in you."
We took a local bus from downtown to the Soriana store, which wandered through the neighborhoods on the way. Very hilly there. We took a taxi home from the store, after waiting a while for a taxi. The taxi driver told us he wanted to go to the USA and work. His uncle was working in Kentucky. He said that it cost $2000 US to get over the border. Richard cautioned him that construction work in the USA was slowing down, due to the mortgage crisis. Marianne suggested that he go soon, as the next president is likely to toughen up on immigration.
Marianne was beat when we got home, but felt better after a nap.
Tomorrow, Tuesday, Richard plans to paddle with Rafael and Ian.
1 comment:
Tough times in Tuxtla. You are correct about the paradise portion. You are good people with the ones who suffer the pangs of not being able to support family while the powers take, in their greed, what is rightfully to be shared with others. Desparation, starvation and incrimination is whiping out a nation of productive people in the country they love and cherish.
Hoping for all to change as it should to a better world for everyone.
Have another wonderful day. Rest up and find more for us to ponder and pray about, Rich and Molly on the road to places that could truly be a paradise. Eileen
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