Being in El Paso, Texas for over two years has given me the opportunity to truly appreciate the area. One of my favorite places to experience is the downtown shopping district of El Paso Street. This incredibly busy area is the crossing point between El Paso and Juarez, Mexico. In fact, the south end of the street is the U.S. Border Point of Entry itself. Sometimes it seems as if the border is a hundred miles away, but in this section of town there reminders of the border that is just a simple walk over the bridge.
All along South El Paso, Street, there are shops selling many different items—from fashion to perfume. There are also food carts and sports shops as well.
South El Paso Street is a great way to experience a modern Juarez as many crossed the border on foot to shop at the stores. Many of the others walked over the border bridge to take a bus to go to other parts of the city. Along the street, there is no English heard being spoken-it is only Spanish. Thankfully, the shop owners did speak to me in English.
Some of the architecture reminds me of the way thing were many years ago as I walk down the street. Many times, I feel somewhat sad when I see older buildings being re-purposed for something entirely different than what it was designed to do. But, for the most part I don’t get that sense when I walk down South El Paso street. Most of the buildings were designed to be shops of some sort, so that is comforting but I am a little sad that the upper floors sit vacant. The biggest reasons that I don’t dwell on the past too long is that I see the change that has made this area of town great. It does feel like a foreign country. This is a very unique experience; one that we should not mess with and allow that to take on the life of its own.
My favorite place to stop when walking downtown is Mr. Hats. I have never found anything for me just yet, but there are plenty to choose from. This little corner store sells exactly what you’d think it would sell—hats. There are cowboy hats, baseball caps, berets, and even pork pie hats. Many of their items have logos from other places around the US, but it is fun to go in and see if they have a hat just for you.
Taking a trip to South El Paso Street in El Paso, TX is a great opportunity to grow culturally, I hope to one day go during the week when all of the stores are open to see that flavor of the town as well.