Progreso was originally named Las Flores after the ranch that once occupied the town site. During 1933 it was renamed Neuvo Progreso. Over the many years the Rio Grande River has moved around due to flooding. Progresso was originally on the U.S. side. A dam was built at Lake Falcon in 1940 to control the periodic flooding. About 500 acres of land was transferred back to Mexico including the land where the town sits today. During the 1950's medical doctors and dentists saw a need to help the community. Today, several hundred doctors, dentists, and pharmacists are present in Progreso.
As we start our adventure into Mexico we had already decided not to take our vehicles. Conveniently located on the U.S. side are two huge parking lots where you can park your vehicle for the day. Cost is $2. There is no security, you park at your own risk but I have not heard of a vehicle being stolen or broken into. If you do drive across there is usually a line up coming and going. Parking in Mexico is at a premium, not allot of places to safely park. I'm not sure but our vehicle insurance does not cover us for travel into Mexico. Another reason to leave it in the U.S.
As pedestrians walking across the bridge, the cost is .50 cents. We are still in the U.S. at this point. Canadian money is no good here. Paying at the turn style.
After paying our fees, we made the trek across the international bridge. Looking down we had a great view of the mighty Rio Grande River with the Border Patrol either driving along the banking or zooming down the river. You can also see "the wall" on the U.S. side. Yes, that is part of the wall that Trump, if elected will make Mexico pay for.
Our first impression, there are people everywhere. Street vendors, Winter Texans, kids, beggars, and so on. You can barely walk the streets without bumping into someone. Most of the action is along the main drag of Benito Juarez Ave. The side streets also have their share of activity. We stayed away from those areas.
As we walked along the street we were solicited by pharmacies selling every prescription drug on the market, from antibiotics to antidepressants to laxatives and everything in between. There had to be at least 100 dentists and pharmacies on the main street alone. You have to consider the main drag is only a half mile long, if that.
Mexico wouldn't be Mexico without a walking mariachi band. These guys would serenade you...for a price (in U.S. dollars of course).
There are a few places in Progreso known for good Mexican food...Arturo's which has been in business for 50 years and Angels which is on top of a four story building and gives a great view of the town. Walking around for a couple of hours we decided it was margarita time. When we crossed the border we noticed a small bar called Panchos Bar that looked like it was fun, so that is where we went.
We ordered a plate of nachos with cheese and jalapenos. They were the best or we were so hungry they tasted like the best. Sue and Bev were having a great time, I think it was the margarita talking.
It was a fun day all-in-all. Would we do it again, hell ya. However, we were constantly reminded that we were in a foreign country with military guards holding machine guns. No pictures of these guys. Lots and lots of begging on the streets by women with small children. I asked before taking this woman's picture, she was reluctant but then I showed her money and everything was good.
Leaving Mexico there was quite a pedestrian line up. We had a 20 minute wait to get back into the U.S.
I order a soda because I was the designated driver. I was not expecting a jug of Coke but that's what I got. As they say everything is bigger in Texas.
Susan order the full rack of ribs and I ordered the three meat combo which included chicken, brisket, and ribs.
All the meat is mesquite smoked on an open flame. Some lucky person was getting a steak.
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