On a map, the US-Mexico border is about a quarter-inch wide. But in all actuality, it's really more like 50 miles wide. The fence itself is just a few inches, but the transition from one country to another requires quite a bit more space. You can't walk ten feet in this town without a reminder that you're living on the border. From the language to the food to the music, this is clearly a town that straddles two different worlds.
But these images don't tell the whole story. Nogales is has a rich history that is reflected in its architecture. It's still a transportation powerhouse, connecting Mexican farms, factories, and the deep sea port of Guaymas with the rest of the United States. But these days, most of the freight (and revenue) passes straight through the town and heads for the freeway. But not that long ago, the town was a bustling hub for tourism and trade. A bit of that turn-of-the-century charm persists throughout the city.
This is the historic Santa Cruz County courthouse. As a bit of trivia, Lady Justice on the dome isn't wearing a blindfold. So along the border, justice isn't blind. I don't know what that means. It's just interesting.
The Woolworth's facade is a relic of Nogales' former glory, but the For Sale sign is a bit more representative of the current state of affairs.
If you look closely, the actual border is right at the end of this street. The fence cuts right through the middle of town, and it is such a part of day-to-day life here that it almost melts into the background.
In fact, it's so easy to miss the border, that you (well, I) could make an innocent left turn at a stoplight and find yourself myself in the entry line to Mexico.
I let out an audible "Holy Shit" before noticing the "Last U-turn Before Entering Mexico" sign. That was a close one. This isn't my best photo, but it's not bad for having a heart rate of 150 BPM.
This is an amazing region of both countries, and Ambos Nogales shows that borders are so much more than just lines in the sand. But the region is as polarizing as it is beautiful, and the area isn't without it's own controversies. I'll dive deeper into border politics in my next post, so get your pitchforks ready.
