He nodded apprehensively , "si "and pointed us to the house next door.
We started to prepare to errect our casa behind the house when we noticed all of the doors and windows were open. I peeked into the windows half expecting to see a family sitting down to dinner but there was no one. We cancelled our muddy backyard reservation in favour of camping inside the back room of the house.
Upon further investigation we found a 6 or 7 room house, abandoned. There were bedrooms containing deteriorating, made beds with cobwebs attaching the sheets to the walls and closets with clothing still on hangers. I could see that someone had rummaged through what was left behind, curious or looking for something of value I guess.
Why had they left so many things? Why wasn't someone else using their home? I found original birth certificates, clothing, bedding, children's medicine, furniture, suitcases and lots of bits and bobs. I imagine they may have moved to a more secure area with all of the violence that Tamaulipas has seen in recent years. Maybe to Canada or the USA. Maybe we will pass a family of four on the streets in Vera Cruz and recognize them from their photos. Perhaps something more horrific. I can't say but it paints a picture of instability that people in the North don't want to talk about.