I explored the small border town of El Cenizo, Texas. It's a very poor town, but has made waves on a national level more than once. It is a fully Hispanic town, where the only language spoken is Spanish. Travel Vlog 149
I’m from el Cenizo and we’re a friendly community. Most of the people of live there work in landscaping, truck drivers, oilfield and more. Most of the people have houses in el Cenizo and live in Laredo or rent their homes at el Cenizo and live in Laredo. There’s never violence crime just illegal immigrants crossing that’s it.
I am from there too. It was worse when my family moved in. Our family was some of the first families back then. Thanks for keeping it informational and not criticizing it. My mom still lives there. It's cool seeing it as I live in WI and don't get back home much. Thanks!
9:05 The saying has something to do with the attitude of some Mexican Americans that feel they aren’t American enough to be accepted by the US and not Mexican enough to accepted by Mexico, so they’re stuck in the middle.
Thank you for posting these videos. I'm a native Texan and it makes me happy to see this. I'd like to share some history about Texas. In the 1830's Mexico passed a law to curb illegal immigration of white settlers. Mexico abolished slavery in 1829 and this did not sit well with those white settlers renting land in Texas becuase cotton was a huge part of the economy at that time. The interesting thing about Texas is that even through the white washing of history, the stints of genocide of native Americans and Mexicans in the 1840's. The mass deportations of legal and illegal Mexicans in the 1920's and "Operation wetback" in the 1950s. Mexican-Americans known as Tejanos were still able to thrive in Texas. So what may seem like an old dusty Mexican town in the United States is as it's always has been even before the state was unionized. There are Mexican-Americans who live in Texas that are specifically rooted by generations and generation from Texas as am I. There's so much history and I encourage you and your viewers to uncover the rich history Texas has to offer. Peace be with you.
I learned alot about how much of the U.S. was originally Mexico. But I was an adult with family in Mexico before I learned about people being legal Mexican Americans being deported. The person I spoke to just gave up and decided to live in Mexico. They wasn't bitter just resigned.
Really enjoying your videos. You have an interesting take on the whole Mexico-US border scene. We must not forget history though, and acknowledge that the folks from these towns don't feel mexican nor american, they're texans, and as they proudly say: "we did not land in Texas, Texas landed on us"... they've been there since colonial times. It's really peculiar how these people don't fit in either the mexican way of life nor the american one, they speak choppy spanish and a very hispanic english (if that makes sense), they just don't belong to either side. thanks for doing the travelling for us!
Quite a great set of points. As when Texas left Mexico there were quite a few Texans who did NOT want to become North-Americans, they wanted their independence which did not happen after all. Same as what happened in California where the Chicano culture started to take shape once the US started “colonizing” it: East Los, Figueroa St., etc. A bunch of Hispanics got “sandwiched” back when the US “purchased those territories”. Hence WHY the legend of *”El Zorro”* if you research it from a contextual point of view you’ll easily understand who the baddies, the army guys, the police, the nasty hacendados etc. were. It wasn’t only against the nasty wealthy Mexican landlords and their corruption. A LOT also refers to the Yankee takeover and how those two groups cooperated in dominating the newly acquired territory. El Zorro mostly fought for those caught in the middle: “No soy de aquí ni soy de allá.”
These small, forgotten border towns would get almost no coverage on the majority of RU-vid. Most people, even in Texas only know about places like the Valley or Laredo or Del Rio. I'm glad you're driving around, showing places like this (so I don't have to). Cheers!
Even with all her fame and fortune, the coal miner daughter's life was tragic and sad like many talented celebrities. May Loretta Lynn forever rest in peace.
Hi Lord Spoda Distinctly different! Stray dogs on the roads was an unusual sight. Luckily, those approached you were friendly, wagging tails. Brightly painted structure opposite to the City Hall was attention catching. Got a chance to see this small, peaceful border town in Texas. The town itself must have been surprised by your unexpected visit! Enjoyed the video. Thanks for the same.
Interesting border town! Thank you for all of the facts and figures. That really enhances your videos! Lots of dogs roaming. Looking forward to the next installment!
There are a lot of “ safe houses “ there, it’s where the coyote takes them and drops them off to cool his trail then he picks them up later for travel to Chicago, L.A , Nueva York and various other major cities in the U.S
Good morning from Isan - Northeast Thailand, dogs running up the road ... looks like here. Another interesting insight into the real US that is never exposed. There is, what I would call, no visible means of support and from your commentary they see themselves as outsiders. I am always amazed that in whatever part of the world I have been to that has poverty, they manage to erect a religious building that is well kept, the rest of the place can look grim but not the church/temple/mosque ..... and so forth. Thank you for sharing another episode that has teleported me to the other side of the world.
no entiendo el inglés, pero puedo contar La historia de este lugar porque he vivido aquí por 35 años, tuve 4 hijas, y un Hijo, las mayores de mis Hijas graduaron de united South, y los 3 más pequeños de LBJ, son las preparatorias que. corresponden a este lugar, y aquí hay mucha solidaridad, Todas Las personas nos conocemos y en año 2012 se suicidó un Hijo mío, a edad de 21 años, y en septiembre 23 ,20 22 fallecio El mayor de mis nietos, en estas 2 ocasiones Toda La ciudad me apoyo grandemente, y me refiero a los abitantes, y al pastor, y Pastora Vasquez, porque ninguna autoridad, ni comisionados, ni mayor no nadie que pertenezca a presidencia, Ellos no Te apoyan nunca , El apoyo siempre es de La comunidad, mi nieto compuso y grabo algunas notas musicales refiriéndose a Cenizo Texas, mi ciudad,
Hello Surin, these towns are interesting. Young people don’t stay in them and head to the big city to seek their fortunes. The people that remain are those who have no options: the old, the sick, the very poor. I grew up in the area, but in a slightly wealthier area a few towns away, with more people and commerce. I left and thrived in the big city. So one advantage of the US is that even people born in these rural, poor areas still have a shot at socioeconomic mobility. That is something that is far less likely just across that river in Mexico. So just by virtue of being within the US (barely!) the people raised here have a chance to improve their lot tremendously.
The Rio Grande's waters seem serene and, at the places you've shown us, its width quite narrow; yet, as you note, it's quite charming. Except for the one barker at the end, the dogs all seemed sluggish and underfed. The one horse you focused on was clearly too thin: sunken haunch and ribs too prominent. The cream colored building with the canopy in front likely is part of the property of that pretty church next door: a church hall, rectory or school, I'm supposing. You sure are demonstrating visually how vast and varied this country is. Keep it up!
Another great video! I’m very surprised at how narrow the river is. I imagined something much wider. Thanks for sharing and opening my eyes to the border area.
El Camino de riyal from Lajitas to Presidio is a very engaging ride along the Rio Grande. You get to it from the bottom of big bend national park. And if you’ve never been to Langtry and to the Judge Roy Bean Museum on US 90 that is a pretty fascinating little place
Absolutely love your videos. It always fascinating to see the border through the lenses of another person. Your work and journeys give such an insightful perspective. I am wondering if you are making your way towards to El Paso and the border leading to Arizona. I’ve taken several trips from El Paso to Tucson and around that border region. It’s truly breathtaking.
As El Paso was my birthplace and have since moved to Dallas, I have always been a desert dweller in seeking solace in the desert Southwest. The Chihuahuan and Sonoran desert are home to amazing little ghost towns, famous landmarks, and historical finds. Trips to Bisbee, Tombstone, and other points along the way are hidden gems in what is the contain.
We travel to Texas once a year. I recently found you on YTube. Just want to suggest the towns off Texas highway 17 from Pecos to Presidios...what a view!
Thanks for taking us along, I really wish the local pets were better taken care of, otherwise I thought some of the comments were a bit rude , I absolutely would not be afraid in this neighborhood, I saw more animals then people out, and I agree with one other comment on here, people do the best they can with what they have, I bet lots were working hard in the next big city just trying to bring home a paycheck to put food on the table.
Really enjoying the videos on border towns.. thank you for sharing the real life sites..those folks are the poor, God's hand help them..safe travels for you an your wife🌼
Thank you for sharing these videos! Another place you may want to check out is Meadowlake and El Cerro Mission NM. I couldn't believe I was even in the US when I went there.
My father is white and native American, but speaks Spanish, actually Mexican, Spanish is different, a little. And he was trapping down in south Texas in a little like this that was all Spanish. And no one spoke English. Anyway my father was there at a little cafe to eat. And he heard some young men come in and asked the owner who the gringo was, and he told them to leave him alone, he spoke better Spanish than they did, and he was armed. Which my father had a concealed carry licence , since he was a government trapper. He was there to solve a mountain lion problem, that was real bad.
There were some fairly nice vehicles that cruised by you; and were parked at some of the properties you drove by, so it looks like their 'wealth' is tied up in their transportation choices in many cases, which I don't find that surprising....
Great as usual When you come to Bristol check out the old virginia intermont college on moore st as well as some old houses there plus the other roads i mentioned in another video.
Lots of good places to eat Angrey Italian Cootie Browns or for lunch EATZ on Moore St not to be confused with the old college love your vids be safe!!!@@JoeandNicsRoadTrip
I think it's great that Hispanics are learning English as a second language. I learned Spanish as a second language and I get along fine in Mexico. Each town has an area where people go to congregate and there are other sections you just don't want to go into. So that's nothing unusual. There is violence everywhere in the world now, unfortunately.
It's an awful place. This town represents the spirit of the majority of Mexican-Americans. They "love" Mexico and think of themselves as Mexcans than Americans.
El Cenizo (ash looking color) Greyish I guess , as the Texas sage , also “ ni de aquí ni de hallá “ means “ Neither from here nor from over there” . Very interesting place . Good video thx
Another awesome video. Very, very interesting. I did notice that most of the houses have fences around them and it looks like they close the gate after pulling their vehicles in. Do you have any ideas why that is?
It's a custom they bring from mexico the majority of the houses in mexico have high fences made of block and a main gate in front locked with chain and pad lock to keep thieves out they even put bars covering their windows
I enjoy watching this border videos they are interesting, I don't drive and so have no way to get to them myself so I love seeing them well not seeing them but listen to you talk about them on your videos keep up the good work that is because me and my boyfriend or both blind he wants was down at I don't know what to call f****** Lakers something and we love watching your videos
Still loving the vids. Could you possibly give us current weather and temps where you are? I am guessing it's hot AF there right now. lol Ian getting us in PA right now.
Look up the republic of the rio grande not the restaurant in McAllen. Brownsville to larado south of the check points and similar north in Mexico is pretty much still it’s own thing. If you have to cross through a line of checkpoints with boarder patrol to access the rest of the country you probably are not really fully part of it, other than for government taxation purposes.
El Cenizo started off as a "colonia," an impoverished neighborhood with little or no infrastructure. The city was incorporated years ago, but students still attend public school in the bigger city of Laredo, Texas, and probably many residents have jobs in Laredo.
Texas Sage have several of them, they bloom every 4-6 weeks during Spring and Summer. Most plants just bloom once not this one it's constantly getting new blooms.
Interesting to see the 956 through the eyes of a foreigner. I'm from Rio Grande, And it's kind of interesting watching your videos And your opinions of The Valley, lts also interesting reading peoples opinions from around the world and what they think. very interesting Just to let people know its not all ugly. Now the next town you are going too, ay si esta feo 😆 sorry Laredo peoples lol jj. keep up the good videos I'll subscribe.
Gracias por compartir tus vídeos: muestran la realidad de pueblos fronterizos, mezcla de pobreza, desolación, perros deambulando y patrullas fronterizas. Las fronteras son terceras realidades, que no son ni norteamericanas ni mejicanas, sino una extraña conjunción de ambas.
Wonder if you put a different ethnic group in the town if it would still be run down.. Have you ever filmed indian reservations? This town is like Beverly hills compared to a reservation
That's the plan, although not straight through. We'll be visiting the Gulf Coast next month, then we'll be back to the border, El Paso to Yuma, AZ after that.
It’s hard for me to imagine living in a place like that it’s so dry, hot and desolate. I live in WV where we have four distinct seasons. I love watching your videos I get to travel that way 😂 Thank you
I just moved to WV after spending 25 years in Texas, its so nice that it's actually cold when fall hits. In Texas it'd be in the 90s for another month. Although cos Texas is a 'livable desert' it drops colder at night even in the summer
It would be interesting to know what percentage of people in this town have a bank account. Cash is king in a lot of these border towns. Anywhere where its easy just to walk back and forth between countries, you will see a lot of people who live and work on both sides...often with family and homes on both sides. I remember in the 80s, it was pretty well tolerated, before the major migration issues.
Only once, in downtown Billings, Montana. It was a homeless guy, and he started screaming at me, asking me if I had a permit. I said "No, I don't need one" and started moving aggressively at him, and he backed off. He was high on something.
Ive been on lots of islands that look like this. Guam looks like this in some places but they mostly keep it clean. Some parts of the Philippines looks exactly like this place but with more palm trees, chickens and kids running around. The dogs are free security and let people know when someones around.
9:09 That local saying: “No soy de aquí ni soy de allá.” Is the Title of a classic Spanish Ballad by Facundo Cabral, Argentinean. A wonderful song that will allow you to understand what the people of “el Cenizo” think. Check it out on YT, you’ll find the lyrics.
I'm from Texas and I enjoy seeing your videos. Because this are towns I have never heard of. But I wouldn't want to live there. El Cenizo mean The ash. I saw video of the town Overton and that town reminded me of when I was a little girl and my parents lived in West Texas.
I’ve seen and enjoyed a lot of your videos. I’d like to comment on why that town might look the poorest town in all United States (although it may be not). As you can see by the houses, no matter how humble they may look, they are newer builds compared to other parts of the country who have beautiful older homes where poor communities have the privilege to reside in. This place was probably uninhabited and the homes they live in they probably built themselves with their own hands
Im in mcallen right now for Job relocation and I can tell its almost same w some place here,, just wondering why i cant See people riding bikes walking around and no homeless iether that I can ask what is happeniNG here
I used to volunteer as a firefighter back in 2015 when I was still in high school. It would take me an hour to drive there and an hour to go back home. I stopped going after 3 months
Hey Spoda...as a dog lover i can't help but feel sorry for those poor dogs walking around...btw...if I wanna find me an old project car to restore or hot rod it looks like those border towns are the perfect places to look as I seen countless old cars,trucks,vans etc just laying around...it's rather astonishing hearing how poor and desperate these people are and how impoverished they live & all the while they've got old cars laying around on their property that's worth some serious money...I even saw a 53'-56' Ford truck you passed!...those trucks are worth a good chunk of cash...it's a damn shame to see everything just left to rot like that....anywho,good video brother.
@@Caro-cc2vb well that's cool and all but I'm currently working on a classic Chevy van so I'm not in need of a project right now...but I appreciate the info bro...
@@4kasiavlogs well that's a little hard to give a definitive answer to without looking at the truck close up but I'm gonna say as a ballpark figure if it's not to far gone and it has good bones that $5000+ is a good guess...restored those trucks are in the $50,000 range...
I live and work here in the RGV area .Work in the medical field as a Home Health Clinician .Many of these places you have shown in your current and previous videos ,I have been there already treating patients .Ive been to Mexican side ,as well .In fact I just returned from Monterrey Mexico few days ago and will fly to Mexico City thru Reynosa next week . You need to visit the other side as well .Its not as dangerous as secular media depicts. Just dont travel at night !
@@frankgonz31 few people know that there are Koreans,Chinese et al who are living and working in Reynosa .I travel and stay in Reynosa every month .Its likely i stayed already in hotels there .Im Asian . i dont travel to Colonias at night ,only during the day . Its like Pepito in Mexico City ,they said its dangerous .Ive been there so many times alone and walking . I love Latino guys !
A word of advice.. do not go to the Mexican side.. I was born there in Nuevo Laredo .. people who say it’s not dangerous they have been lucky.. DO NOT GO.. specialty if you are white (gringo). I get what you are doing and you are doing a great job..but you don’t have to play with your life or your spouses life by walking into a literately a war zone. If you ever have to go let it just be for medicine and tostadas de la Siberia and come back immediately, God bless you all.
