San Elizario is a poor farming community but it is rich in culture and history.
A bit of background: the town was established in 1598 when Juan de Onate claimed the area for the Spanish crown...right, 1598! It went through several changes, became part of the state of Chihuahua when Mexico gained independence from Spain in 1821. In 1848, it became part of Texas when the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo was signed. The town started losing people to the Mexican side during the 'Salt War' of 1877 and the decline continued when the railroad bypassed the town in 1881.
Today there are just over 11,000 people living there with many families going back generations.
I take the downtown drive to the Border Highway along the Rio Grande River. I make a right on Socorro Road onto a narrow, winding two lane road that seems to go on forever. San Elizario is primarily a farming community but as I drive by the cotton fields and pecan orchards there is a mission that I go by that was built in 1877 replacing the original mission that was built in 1770's but destroyed by a flood.
Like I said, lots of history.
And there are also a lot of stray animals running along the sides of the road. I tend to drive with one eye closed as to not see an animal lying in the road. Not a good way to start the day.
My biggest fear actually is that a dog, cat, or chicken will run out in front of my car while I'm driving...so far so good, but I drive really, really slowly.
I tend to be 10 minutes late for clinic but they all know why and are ok with it.
The clinic, which is a double wide mobile home with additions, is separated from a farm with a 6 foot chain link fence. There are roosters, chickens, hens and baby chicks on the other side. Some of the San Eli staff make fun of me cause they know that I look forward to seeing the roosters and hearing them crow. I stop and make cluck cluck noises back to the chicks. I don't think they were used to this type of provider at the clinic (you know, most are OH so serious!) but they all accept me now.
There was this one rooster that was my favorite...he was this black rooster who was brave and would have a face off with me at the fence. I looked forward to seeing him every other Wednesday, I called him Elvis (I don't know why, it just seemed right at the time.)
One day a few months ago as I pulled into my usual parking space, Elvis was lying dead right smack dab in the middle of it. I backed up and found a new spot. I asked Manny to please move him, which he did. He's a good guy.
Turns out that Elvis was a favorite of many clinic staff members. After that, I didn't look for much when I drove to San Eli except keeping my eyes on the road for darting dogs, cats and chickens.
But today, I got out of my car, and this great big rooster with the deepest red comb and wattle crowed loudly as he was followed by hens, chickens and baby chicks... he seems brave like Elvis.
Haven't given him a name yet, you know, you name something and then they are a part of you. Don't want to see him in the dirt parking lot like Elvis.
I almost called him 'Apollo' but maybe he should just remain 'rooster'...
Anyway, the drive home was nice...only saw the mission, the school, lots of people walking under umbrellas to shield them from the sun not rain, the family owned restaurants, "Beto's tires', 'D'Best Burgers'and 'Sombras del Pasado'...
but nothing in the road...
Now...how do I get rid of this rooster pic on my profile photos!!!
