beauty among ruins

*As a kind of follow up to the Portland vacation montages, I thought I'd offer a contrasting picture of home. What a contrast! I have one more group of Portland pictures to share after this. I just can't resist. When you see them you'll be glad I didn't. Promise.

 

You will never see the Texas-Mexico border on any list of the Top Ten Places to Live in the US. It is not a pretty place. It is hot and dirty. Poverty abounds.

 

This weekend, my friend Shannon and I spent the day in Matamoros, Mexico. Shopping, eating, taking pictures like tourists. But we live here. She lives in a small village just outside the city; I live just over the border in what we call the USA. Culturally, there’s not much difference. We just have more money on our side. We were almost run over more than once by irritated drivers as we stood in the middle of the street trying to get the perfect shot. (I’m sure they were wondering, What in the world are those silly white girls taking pictures of?? An old rotten door?) Most visitors here are appalled by the stark landscape, the relentless heat, the desperation. And it should appall you. It should rip your heart out and drive you to action to think how the average person lives here in the US compared to how the average person lives 5 miles away across the border. But I say there is beauty to be found. If you only have the eyes to see.

 

Here’s a little glimpse we gathered for you, really for us, and for our inspiration. But I thought you might like to be inspired too. But don’t be fooled. There is beauty here, no doubt, among the crumbling ruins, but truly it is inconsequential. The true beauty lies in the people. We’ll work on gathering that perspective a little later.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Comments

[bakeandsewblog]

Thanks for sharing. It is all too easy to shut our eyes to poverty. The photos are great. I love the turquoise fencing and the pink flowers - beautiful.

[allison]

Dont you just love how in the midst of poverty people can create beauty. Here in South Africa many people live in shacks made from discarded wood etc. But i am still struck by their efforts to make their space beautiful. The house covered in plants is lovely.....

[kathi]

Thank you for sharing the pictures. I grew up in Corpus Christi and spent many summer days shopping and eating in Matamoros. It is gratifying yet sad that it looks the same as I remember. How wonderful that your artist eye is able to capture the beauty that is there.

[Imelda]

If we can see with different eyes we can see beauty and inspiration almost everywhere. Great captures of colors.

[Courtney]

The interesting thing about these images is that it is clear that there was prosperity and vision for this little town at one point, but it was tragically halted at some point.

[Cheryl]

I think that there is beauty everywhere, "beauty is in the eye of the beholder"....I think that you did a great job capturing it! The beautiful colors and plants amongst the most basic of materials, the bricks and iron. You have a good eye!

[sara]

I've been to the borderland once and it's stuck with me ever since. Good post!