Visitando una biblioteca principal en el Valle del Rio Grande…read moreVisiting a main library in the Rio Grande Valley (2 of 2) I had to spend about 1.5 days in McAllen, Texas, which is one of the bigger cities in the Rio Grande Valley, along with Brownsville and Harlingen. If you look at what you can do in McAllen, their main library, the largest one on one level in the United States, will be on that list. I asked myself how that could be ... and in McAllen. I had to take a look. The answer to that shows how it gets 5 stars from me, with one star for each word in the following phrase: "Walmart Becomes A Stupendous Library" I did not know that until I got here and asked if the library was built from scratch. I learned that it was not. A Walmart that was no longer operative was repurposed to become the city's main library and, in so doing, became the most spacious one-story library in the U.S. of A. Overlooking the aesthetics of McAllen's main library branch, which is hard to do, the library does everything very well. The collection is vast, with stacks in every direction. In between the stacks are pleasing seating areas and broad expanses of tables, all under excellent illumination. There is a very large children's room and some of its features are humorous and innovative. In fact, art installations throughout the library are clever and interesting. Upon walking in, there is a large tech center with computers and other available features. There's even a small cafe' from which I was able to get some tasty, small, and nicely priced desserts after having had dinner. Even the restrooms are spacious and kept in excellent condition. That everything looks new(er) goes without saying. While I didn't need as much service as I needed at Brownsville, where I handled the technical matters I needed to attend to, the staff was definitely pleasant. They answered my few questions and seem proud to be a part of this progressive library. The main McAllen library's repurposed exterior is also very pleasing to look at. Built into the outboard side of the covered auto canopy is a water feature that drips into a fountain. Additionally, there is an adjacent glass tower that changes colors, which is much more commanding when it's dark outside. The parking lot, with entrances off of a main artery, is capacious. If all this wasn't already making for a very good vibe, I had an experience that was a first and really funny, at least to me. As I was walking back to the car in the parking lot, an obviously local woman comes careening around a corner and rolls down her car window to frantically and excitedly ask me if the library was still open ... in Spanish! With a baseball cap on, I don't think she got a good look at me and, being in the Rio Grande Valley, she must have assumed that whomever she spoke with would speak Spanish. She got lucky. I took my collegiate Spanish courses very seriously (since they were usually comical and good fun) and responded with, "Creo que esta abierta por quince minutos mas." At this point, some Americanized cadence might have filtered through, she looked a little thrown off, and she then landed on a parking space. And, here, I had taken Spanish electives with the hopes of one day visiting Spain and Argentina. A few decades ago, speaking Spanish to someone if you were obviously not Hispanic could have been seen as patronizing, especially if the person doing it was one of those "dos cervezas por favor" types of idiots. Things keep changing and now I feel that more people in America welcome your speaking Spanish to them. This definitely appears to be the case in the Rio Grande Valley. I turned on the ignition to the car, howled with laughter at what just happened, and drove off. Most people, especially if younger, go to the library to get something done. Someone who doesn't have to get something done may go for the enrichment it provides. I can't imagine anyone needing to have their teeth pulled to go McAllen's main branch of their public library. Even just reading about it and the record the McAllen main branch holds, I didn't need to come here. I wanted to come here. And, if in this area, or even in and around South Padre Island, I will probably make a special trip to this unique library just because I want to.

Amazing spot for the latest books and other resources! Really enjoyed their vast collection of…read morematerial, from popular fiction to the latest nonfiction books. Also, the study rooms that you can book in advance were amazing! Online reservations and the check-in process were easy. Spent a string of days working here and the tasty Texas Pecan coffee from the Rise and Shine cafe at the front of the library was perfect. Librarians were incredibly helpful.

We like to visit the big things. After our trip to SPI we stopped here on the way home.read more

The public library and its surrounding areas are a great place to see in Hidalgo post-Black Friday…read more Hidalgo City has a touristic route called The City of Lights. Arguably, the beginning portion of the tour starts at the library. After Thanksgiving, you can begin to tour the City of Lights and other statues that are taken. You can see characters from Disney such as Star Wars as well as Dreamwork's Animations characters like Shrek, Donkey, and Puss in Boots. During Christmas time, it's a sight to behold, and you'll want to come here with e Pugh memory on your phone to be taking loads of pictures and video. A trolley begins to circle the area in the evenings, which is free. Just pick it up at one of its pre-designated stops and you can tour on the trolley as opposed to walking. The closer it gets to Christmas, the more packed it gets, so come early and get those shots in before the crowd takes over.

My experience at TXDPS to renew my drivers license was great in every way…read more I made my appointment online Sunday night, and saw there were appointments available the next day. I was able to choose from several time slots the one that worked best for me. I arrived 40 minutes early and discovered I needed to wait to check-in at the kiosk no earlier than 30 minutes. So while I waited to check in I filled out the DL renewal form. Thirty minutes before my appointment I checked in at the kiosk which was easy, and available in both English and Spanish. Then I waited about 15 minutes when my number was called. The agent who attended me was courteous and professional. She took my application, made copies of my documentation (ID, birth certificate, passport), asked me a few questions, took my fingerprints, my picture, signature and the fee, and I walked out with my temporary new driver's license (the official one arrives my mail) precisely at the time my appointment was scheduled to begin. Everything was clean, orderly, the employees were helpful, and the process was easy. Way to go, TX DPS!

We went to the DPS office because my son needed to get his ID. The place was clean and easy to…read morefind. The staff were friendly and helpful. They answered our questions and made sure we had everything we needed. We did have to wait a little bit, but it wasn't too long. The line moved pretty fast.

Officer Martinez is the friendliest and hardest working animal control employee around. She has…read morehelped us greatly about cat bites and also stray dogs.

U.S. border crossing to Reynosa, Mexico…read more Reynosa is a town that has grown on the opposite side of town. They have an HEB, Starbucks, Home Depot, Peter Piper Pizza, 7-11's, and more. While there really isn't much to do here, you can drive over to Progresso and use a toll road. If you live here, there is a nice cineplex and some good Mexican restaurants. When crossing over you do see armed agents on the Mexican crossing section, but I feel this is for one's own protection. You see this at most country border crossing from Europe to the United States. Wishing all safe and happy travels!

This review is regarding crossing into the USA from Mexico…read more This particular border crossing is preferred by those coming from Monterrey as they can avoid the Reynosa traffic. There are fewer lanes than the Reynosa/Hidalgo crossing, but usually it is sufficient unless it is a Mexican holiday or a day when more shoppers from Monterrey are coming into the US. I prefer this particular border crossing because you don't have all the vendors and others accosting you as at the Reynosa/Hidalgo bridge. It is a more pleasant wait in line. Be prepared to wait in line, especially during peak hours. That's just the nature of international crossing these days. Around Christmas time it could take hours as so many shoppers are coming to the US. The border agents have a tough job as there are so many trying to sneak illegal things or people across. But they are there for our protection, generally do a great job, and deserve our respect. If you want respect, be respectful and answer their questions.

Overall, it is a nice place and safe to park your car on the American side while you walk across…read moreinto Nuevo Progreso to do your shopping, dental work, or whatever. This is the last place prior to crossing into Mexico, so it's hard to miss. Pay $2 as you enter and stay as long as midnight. The car entrance opens at 7 AM and closes at 5:30 PM. No overnight parking. You can stay in Mexico late if you dare (the only thing open after dark are bars), but the car exit closes at midnight, according to the guy in the booth. There are plenty of parking spaces, though they are not all defined with lines. There is a duty-free shop at the end closest to the border. There are also restrooms, a shaded area to gather your party together, and some places to sit in the shade nearby. Once you park, there is a sidewalk/walkway that leads you across the border into Mexico. Currently, it costs $1 for pedestrians to cross the bridge going into Mexico, and it will cost you 30 cents to return. Pedestrian lines and car lines can vary a lot as to how much traffic and how long it will take. Today, (August 3), the pedestrian line was very short. There were only three people ahead of me. However, the line of cars crossing I to the USA stretched for several blocks into Nuevo Progreso, and I estimate it would have taken at least a couple of hours. The lines vary according to time of day and the season. As you cross into Mexico by foot, you walk through a security area and place any handbags or packages on a conveyor belt to be scanned. As you return into the USA, in the center of the bridge, be prepared to show your documents to officials, then proceed to the crossing. For pedestrians, today there were two lines: left for Ready Lane (those who have legal documents such as passport or passport card) and right for all others. You save money and hassle by parking on the American side. Cars are charged $4 each to cross, then you have to find a place to park in Mexico (good luck with that), and men who "watch" your car will want a tip, others will want to wash it, etc. It's easier to use this parking service and take the short walk across. Within three blocks you will find scores of dentists, pharmacies, eateries, a few veterinarian pharmacies, shoppes, and a multitude of street vendors.

We had a great time shopping and eating street tacos in Nuevo Progreso today. They have many…read morebeautiful items likes clothes, pottery, jewelry and much more. The people are lovely and friendly. I hope to go back really soon.

This USPS was opened in 2010. It's really nice, and clean…read more There is NO automated stamp machine They lock the doors of the office @ 4:30 on the dot You can apply for your Passport @ this location

This memorial is very well done! I had no idea it was here in McAllen, Texas until I saw it on…read moreyelp! Each of the Armed Forces is well represented here. There is plenty of free parking. Stop by and check it out.

What a treasure, the size and breadth of this memorial will amaze you. The construction is still…read morenot fully completed but I've never seen such monuments outside of D.C. I was lucky to have a veteran on site during my visit, willing to answer my questions and provide background story about construction phases of this memorial.