Simulated Border Crossing ?

Now, that I am "in waiting" and meant to be off my feet I have been spending too much time on facebook, its highly addictive. I came across a blog on my friend Mulu's profile called "La Plaza." Its a blog by a LA Times reporter on Latin American issues, mostly immigration. I came upon one article which was intriguing. Its about a simulated border crossing to give others the experience of what it is like for Mexicans and Central Americans to cross the border into the U.S. The article is titles "Illegal Border Crossing for Tourists" and at the bottom of the page there is a link to its facebook page. The link back to the LA Times page was no longer available.

Illegal border Crossing for Tourists
Gunshots ring out and sirens shriek, mixing with the ragged breath of muddy, panting humans. Suddenly, the full moon sweeping the ground like a searchlight reveals a disturbing scene: a group of illegal immigrants being handcuffed and led away by U.S. Border Patrol agents.

But the U.S. border is about 400 miles from this rugged municipal park in Hidalgo state, a three-hour drive north of Mexico City. The spectacle unfolding here isn't an actual border crossing attempt but a live simulation-adventure that attempts to give participants a taste of what it's like for the thousands of Mexican and other Latin American undocumented migrants trying to enter the promised land of el norte.

For more information about this article and a video accompanying it follow the link to:
wwww.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=42977000614&oid=17341759630

The Waiting is the Hardest Part

I realize I have not been a good "blogger" lately. I dont know what is. Perhaps, its thinking I have nothing new to write about. As my Junior High School hero Tom Petty said "the waiting is the hardest part." Today, I am 36 weeks ! Unreal.

I am literally just waiting with a growing being kicking me in the ribs on a daily basis. This is one tough kid. My friends before me tell me the last part is "uncomfortable" but to hang in there. I dont know what else I can do. I advised my friend Jennifer it could happen any day to which she said "not before the baby shower."

I know an explanation is in order. Baby showers are not a Jewish tradition. Yes, there are many superstitous beliefs about pregnancy in Judaism. However, to just these are "irritational" thoughts with no basis for the 21st century would be unfair. Most of these superstions come from reality of how uncertain childbirth and labor were for Jewish women back in the shetl and as immigrants from Europe. My grandmother, Bubbe Esther gave birth four times in 12 years and only had two successful delieveries. I can understand the fear some relatives have considering such a history of high infant mortality. At any rate, modern times have reduced infant mortality in this country. I am going back to waiting but not to worry I will advise when el bebe arrives.

Day Laborer's in Phoenix

Daniel Gonzalez of the Arizona Republic wrote this article about day laborers in Phoenix. This article discusses day laborers (generally 'illegal immigrants' from Mexico) who are not getting paid by their employers or patrons. These unethical patrons hire a laborer for a day or so and at the end of it claim they have no money. Most laborers do not follow up with any authorities to claim their wages. However, regardless of immigration status they can make a claim with the Arizona Department of Labor or even make a police report. Wage theft is considered a crime in Arizona as well as in Kansas City, MO and Denver, CO.
I hope this article is helpful and raises awareness. Here is the link to it: www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/news/articles/0211wagetheft0211.html

REUNION DE LOS ARGENTINOS EN SAN DIEGO

This past weekend we went to San Diego. We got to see our friend, Katie who was back visting from Argentina. It was great to see her. She brought us a gift of mate, gourd and a bombilla. If you are a mate virgin, here is a brief description of the mate paraphenilia. Mate is made from "yerba mate" a kind of tea one drinks in Argentina, Uruguay and some other South American countries. The yerba is put in a gourd (a hollowed out kind of cup) and then sipped with a long spoon or bombilla. In general, people drink mate in a social circle but some like to drink it solo.

We enjoyed our mate on the beach. Que es vida! To drink mate by the Pacific Ocean. Katie took us for some of the best hamburgers in San Diego, an Ocean Beach tradition, at Hodad's. We each shared a burger with frings (french fries and onion rings). The restaurant is full of license plates with beach phrases like "surfin". There was a photo of Che on the wall, which means we are only just Six Degrees of Separation from Che.

AT THE BORDER

The drive from Phoenix to San Diego was uneventful except for 2 U.S. Border Patrol stops going each way. (As a few highway exits in California lead to roads in Mexico). On I-8 West (where we drove) the road is cordoned off by barbed wire and there are cameras all over. Now that Maximo is legal is not an issue but I still get a reaction when I see "U.S. Border Patrol" signs. The Border guards waved us through going to San Diego. On the drive back, we had to roll down the window and answer whether or not we were U.S. citizens. Maximo answered "resident" and showed the guard his green card.