Roadtrippin' August 2019: Part Two

A couple of weeks before this trip I ordered a cooler and had it sent to Vegas, so I could use it for the road trip. I was in need of one, it was purple with wheels, and on sale, so win-win-win. The week before I arrived, I ordered groceries from Walmart.com to be picked up Sunday evening literally before I was picked up from the airport. Tuesday morning we packed up the cooler, snacks, luggage, then picked up Dunkin Donuts for breakfast, and hit the road. Our first day on the road was long. It was also amazing, and filled with the first adventures. I drove about 70% of our hours on the road. With the smart technology features from my Kia, it wasn't too bad actually!

We made it from Las Vegas, Nevada to Denning, New Mexico the first night. We stopped in Tuscon, Arizona for sight-seeing. The first adventure was visiting Saguaro National Park. The Saguaro is a large cactus, some growing over 40 feet tall! And they can live between 100 and 200 years!

When we arrived to the visiting center, an informational video was just starting! Talk about perfect timing! The video explained how important the Saguaro Cactus is to the Tohono O’odham (People of the Desert.) Native Americans. While the video gave a cultural insight I enjoyed, I was suprised it didn't give more scientific information. After watching the video, the back walls of the auditorium opened up to reveal a panoramic window to the desert. We took pictures, bought some souvenirs and asked for route information for the scenic drives. In the car, I made bagel sandwiches for a quick lunch, and then headed out to start the drive. We chose the unpaved road (versus a second route that has a paved road), and I would definitely recommend the paved road! It was super bumpy, but the views were unbelievable.

From the park, we made our way to Mission San Xavier del Bac, which is a Catholic Mission. The difference between a Catholic Church and a Mission, is a Mission has the purpose to fulfill duties assigned (Missionaries) and a Catholic Church is a place of worship. You really can't tell the difference honestly. This particular mission was built between 1783 and 1797, which makes it the oldest European structure in Arizona. It is definitely worth a trip. It is in dire need of restoration, so any donation helps. I donated by buying some candles which were like $2 or $3 each, plus I bought some little containers to bring Holy Water back with me. I would definitely recommend a stop here if passing through Tuscon.

The rest of the day was spent driving, until we settled for the night at a motel in Denning. The next morning we woke up early, had some Instant Oatmeal, and started our trip with El Paso, Texas as the next destination.

Driving to El Paso, was a little somber. I was emotionally impacted by the shooting at Walmart just the week before. And mass-shootings have always affected me, on a personal level. I mourn for those lost in my own way. I pray to the universe, and cry a lot, and it just affects my psyche. I noticed it with Columbine. Columbine happened my freshman year in High School, Because of Columbine metal detectors were installed in my school. Because of Columbine friends of mine were treated bad simply because they wore trench coats. As a Latinx, and Brown-American this just felt very personal. The Walmart shooting and all of the detainee camps currently, it's a lot to handle emotionally. And I know my "feelings" doesn't make a change in gun-laws, or immigration-laws, or help the people affected, I just, I don't know, I felt off.

We started our tourism by stopping by Pancho Villa's stash house in El Paso.

Pancho Villa was a Mexican revolutionary and guerilla leader. He is one of the most well known and important figure of the Mexican Civil War.

https://www.history.com/topics/mexico/pancho-villa <---- this is a really good article for more info :)

This was a quick stop. We took pics, read the placard and continued.

Our second stop was The Holocaust Museum in Downtown El Paso. Officially El Paso Holocaust Museum & Study Center, it's a stop I would recommend over and over. There is no entrance fee but does have a recommended donation of $5 a person.

Holocaust survivor Henry Keller, founded the museum in 1994. He established the museum and study center to educate the public about the Third Reich , the concentration camps, as well as resistance movements during World War II.

They use real photos, and life size props, to give you a simulated walk through of life before and during concentration camps. Videos also guide you through the museum. There was this picture of this young boy in his striped uniform, and the look of despair and uncertanty in his eyes really got me. And I lost it. He was just a child, a baby. I took a moment to collect myself, and continued through the exhibits.

They had a train cart to show how people were transported. There was a walkway from the traincar showing how the entrance to the concentration camps looked. The slogan "Arbeit Macht Frei" (German for "Works sets you free") was frequently used as the entrance sign. It gave false hope to those coming, making them think they could work to be released. Many were walked into what they thought was a shower, and led into gas chambers. I learned so much in such a short time, and it really made me appreciate my life. I still think of that boy. I grieve for him, and I don't know his name. I carry him in heart, as a reminder that life should never be taken for granted. And as reminder of the horrors we as humans are capable of.

From the museum, our destination was San Antonio. This route took us directly through US Border Patrol. I recognized it from a video of a teacher that gets upset that she is asked for her ID. I am also traveling with someone who is not a US Citizen, but is Caucasian. So I have to record, right? I want to see how we are treated going through. Here's that video.

I was surprised how easy it went. As you can see, I wasn't asked for ID. I just answered two questions and we were on our way. I turned to my ex and said "Well, how's that for white priviledge?" and we giggled about it. After comparing the video I saw, and my experience. I say, just answer the agents questions. They are doing their job, and protecting our borders. No need to be extra. We drove almost 8 more hours before settling in San Antonio for the night. We did stop at this Mexican restaurant for dinner in between, and while it looked authentic, it had no flavor, so that's pretty much all I'll say on that. lol

We settled in super late at the hotel, ate dinner in the room, and got to bed!

Keep reading for Part 3!

xoxo,

Tiana