Four days ago, on the road between Antwerpen and Amsterdam that I take every weekend, I started to read “Vistazos de la frontera” (Glimpses of the border) by Ernesto Mireles. How deluded I was to think it would be a relaxed trip.
The story
Ernesto takes us to Piedras Negras at Coahuila, in the desertic north México. Here we meet Pedro, his sister Victoria, grandparents and many other cousins, uncles, aunts and friends. His life is peculiar to many in México, divided between two countries. Piedras Negras shares border with Eagle Pass at Texas, in the desertic south United States of America.
Pedro grows up in between the two sides. He has a double origin, with grandparents in both sides. Always in the middle between this and that side, never making a difference between them, it is always an equal to equal relationship on both sides. Pedro grows up sleeping in one side and studying on the other. Sharing his story with his sister and cousins, uncles, aunts and grandparents. Joyful stories, filled with teachings some of us have forgotten.
The conflict
Pedro has a split life, the same way as his experiences. His cousins learn mexican history at school, meanwhile he learns the United States one. Criminality is low in the USA side of the border, while the south side is in a higher alert state.
The mix of culture generates a synergy that enriches both sides. Rock was imported from the north into the south, that is how Pedro finds it, thanks to that exchange bands such as Caifanes exists, among others. In the same vain, mexican food was imported into the United States, creating the famous Tex-Mex.
But living in-between this two places, means also missing out important moments. Family reunions will be happening less and will require mayor planning. Pedro will miss some important events, one of this left a scar on him and he will do all within his possibility for it not to happen again.
Nostalgia
“Uncle Cristiano gave me the key, reminding me that there was no longer any physical circumstance that went against my peace, that now I could treasure my childhood, family and border history, without doubts or concerns.” Uncle Cristiano, thank you for those words that now I feel so personal.
Before my return to Antwerpen, in the warm hug of my girlfriend arms, she asked if I missed my grandfather. Without hesitation I answered that I did, he was a very special person for me, although I wasted the last years I could have with him. I told her about the chair always reserved for his newspapers, and my grandmother always to his right; the book titled “Introduction to philosophy”, I took it from his shelves. I’m so sorry for those who saw me on the train sobbing while reading your words uncle Cristiano.
Nostalgia is a bittersweet feeling, the mix between sadness, pleasure and affection when you think of happy times in the past, as the Oxford dictionary reads. This book is nostalgia filled and if you are not ready to revisit your own past it’s going to be hard but healing, that’s how I lived it. I found a group of characters with whom I could relate and have conversations. No doubt my context is not similar to theirs, but I can empathize with them and feel myself part of these two town, split artificially by a border.
The book can be bought at Amazon.