Laredo

I’ve spent some layovers in this city-by-the-siesta. It’s literally a stone’s throw from Mexico on the south and western borders, so don’t be surprised if all you find a lot of truck drivers, Mexicans and Mexican truck drivers. (I was a truck driver) However, there are some local things to see and do and they have been doing a lot of upgrading and remodeling last time I was there.

It was a long time ago,1988,but was surprised how easy it was to enter the US here,they didn’t check my passport or stop any of the Mexican workers.As I needed a stamp on my passport I went to the customs post,a hut and had a strange conversation.Although I have a British passport the officer kept speaking to me in Spanish and I kept answering in English telling him I spoke English which he realised after about five minutes.He then noticed my visa was issued in Belfast which he asked me if it was near India.I thought that was pretty poor geography, really.

The people were friendly,most spoke Spanish which surprised me.

People here are stuck in a loop

First place I ever visited in the US.

I think Laredo is a nice place. It’s just that the media always gets the worst things that happen here and put them out. They repeat the story of the drug wars and stuff over and over again. It’s not so bad here.