A Border Crossing Tour

Border Community Alliance is a nonprofit organization located in Tubac, Arizona. They provide opportunities for learning via cultural programs to residents and visitors of Southern Arizona. It is dedicated to bridging the border and fostering community through education, collaboration and cultural exchange.
To learn more https://bordercommunityalliance.org/

The Green Valley Camera Club sponsored a border tour with this organization  The tour ended up being more of a cultural experience than a photography opportunity. Of course the fact it was raining on and off all day did hamper taking pictures as we dodged flooded streets and many non-paved roads. 

But the tour afforded us a first hand experiences about life in the borderland Nogales, Mexico (43 miles from Green Valley) to Magdalena de Kino, a city located in the Mexican state of Sonora.  The city was named after the pioneer Roman Catholic missionary and explorer, Father Eusebio Francisco Kino who worked in the area, as well as the area in SW Arizona.  

Needless to say this was an 'out of the box' experience for me and I was a bit hesitant to sign up due safety concerns. But since this was a private tour with a guide and a van driver  many of my fears were dispelled. The trip began early at 7:00 AM as the group had a long distance to cover. First we met at Burger King restaurant at the border, and parked our vehicles in their lot for a small fee. We met our director who walked us across the border into Nogales, Mexico. After a stop at the border passport control  a van driver picked us up and we begin our Mexican adventure to Magdalena some 86 miles away. We had two stops along the way. First stop was the immigration station for a free day pass. Second stop was a well known burrito place where for $3.00 we could purchase 3 breakfast burritos. They were expecting us and came right up to the van with burritos and we didn't even have to get out. Tightly wrapped burritos were then passed down the aisles to passengers and money was collected. 
Along the way I was struck by the visible poverty,

poor roads, many not paved and unfinished highway construction projects and it 

made me think we were visiting a third world country. 
Here they struggle with a proper sanitation system. Take for instance the bathroom situation.

My, oh my. Most of the public bathrooms had an attendant seated outside banios. In the box next to this woman are neatly folded pieces of toilet paper. For a few pesos you can purchase a toilet paper packet. It is not disposed of in the toilet as their sanitation system can not handle it, but rather in a nearby basket. 

A visit to San Ignacio mission church, founded by Padre Kino in 1687, is a reminder of the deep faith and reverence people of this region have for the Catholic Church and Padre Kino.  They take pride in maintaining church interiors with colorful altars.

The grand plaza constructed in 1967 is the center of cultural activities and where you can find the Crypt of Father Kino, Saint Mary Magdalene Temple (and the venerated image of San Francisco Javier) and the cultural center.

Father Eusebio Kino Museum has diverse objects exhibited representing indigenous culture, photographs, weapons and other objects of great value. 

The Palacio Municipal building-wow really hard to capture its stunning beauty. The sun made a brief appearance for this photo. Originally a military boy's academy, restored today as real showplace with a stained glass window showing Fr. Kino on horseback, 

murals 

and a mix of modern and colonial art. 
One last note... I was surprised by the many dogs just wandering the streets off leash. 

Lunch at a local Magdalena restaurant held several surprises as did the coffee stop before crossing back over the border and another visit through the customs and immigration center. 

Check back tomorrow for PART TWO: The Cuisine of Magdalena