Ogdensburg - U.S. border patrol © by Octavian Cosma
Some people dream of a trip to a faraway tropical paradise where relaxation is their only goal. Others want “adventure” vacations where each minute of their trip is filled with danger, intrigue and excitement. I guess if you book a trip with Caminata Nocturna of Mexico, you fall into the second category.
Caminata Nocturna is your ticket to living the illegal alien experience. Yes, for a hefty fee, you can live the peril that real illegal immigrants face while attempting to cross the border into the United States. I know what you are thinking:
“No way that this is a vacation!”
Well, “Yes way; it is.” It seems that in the small town of El Alberto, Mexico, tourists can participate in this re-enactment of border adventure. Although this is a realty experience, the only true danger tourists might face is a few boo boos that result from the four-hour activity which includes trying to ditch “immigration and border patrol agents”.
Again, I hear the arguments: “Who goes on this type of vacation? No one would pay for this.”
And again, I must offer a rebuttal: It seems that since the border-crossing theme park began in 2004, thousands of people have paid for the experience which includes a 7.5-mile hike where immigration officials chase you down in pickup trucks with sirens blasting in the dead of night. As a fleeing immigrant, you must climb fences, run through brush and trees and take cover on the ground when you see flashlights beaming in your direction, and in case anyone is interested, the excursion is marketed as a family-friendly adventure.
While I admit that I am more of a relaxing-on-the-beach-with-a-frozen-margarita type of girl, I don’t begrudge others adventure vacations although this one seems to go above and beyond the reality experience. This theme park is definitely less dangerous than mountain climbing in the Himalayas or cave spelunking or deep-sea diving in search of sunken treasure.
It might even be less disturbing than a trip to the Holy Land Theme Park in Orlando, Florida where families can see re-enactments of the passion and crucifixion of Jesus which let’s face it is so much more fun than the new Harry Potter rides at Universal Studios or Pirates of the Caribbean at Disney. Let me say this though in defense of the Holy Land theme park, they have plenty of fun cafes and restaurants there as well where the family can go and scarf down lunch after taking in a live-action show because nothing builds up an appetite more than a good crucifixion.
My father’s parents went through the immigrant experience (legally, of course), crossing the Atlantic Ocean then never leaving the neighborhood they settled in. I would prefer my traveling to be a little less strenuous.
You do know that this is your worst nightmare waiting to happen don’t you? Yes, that’s it – a Caminata Nocturna reality TV show!
If they make this reality show, they are going to have to have another one called, “Psycho viewer” who takes out the cast from this show.
What fun! Or, at least, borderline pleasant. Do you get to drive full-speed through hand-dug tunnels?
borderline pleasant! LOL Sure, you can drive through the tunnels after you pay extra to dig them! It’s an add on feature, not a come with the package feature.