Category Archives: Snapshots

Random things about us

To the Constable’s House for Dinner

Community, Snapshots
The constable vehicle in the background with large speakers and a microphone set up in front
Karaoke

As I mentioned in one of my previous posts, one of my favorite moments from last year was dinner at the constable’s home.  Constable Arturo Garcia once again invited us into his home for an authentic Mexican home-cooked meal as a thank you for all of UIndy and Baylor’s hard work.  It is such an honor for him to invite all of us (30+ people) into his home and go out of his way to make so much amazing food! We became part of the family for an evening and enjoyed sitting together and having a group dinner with Arturo’s friends and family.  This year we were very happy to be able to talk with Arturo’s wife.  Last summer she was at the cemetery tending to a grave and was bit by a brown recluse spider and had to spend the evening with her foot propped up.  We are so appreciative that they would have us over and make us part of the family.

We arrived at the constable’s home to see several tables and chairs placed around the yard along with a PA system that he used to play music all evening. This quickly led to some dancing and karaoke later…

Arturos Dinner on a white styrofoam plate with different sections, rice, sausage, bread, and more meat
Delicious!

We were very excited for a home-cooked meal and we were definitely looking forward to some more cowboy bread this season.  This year the Garcias prepared for us some amazing brisket, beans, rice, sausage, and cowboy bread (our favorite!).

After dinner Arturo started playing music and opened up the dance floor.  Arturo and his wife shared a dance. This was soon followed by Dr. Lori Baker with Ryan, Jim “Sarge” Huggins with Jessica, and Dr. Krista Latham with Arturo, two-stepping to George Strait.

Pairs of people dancing in front of the big speakers

As I mentioned, the PA system quickly became a karaoke system.  Arturo was singing some and then the Baylor students hooked up an iPhone to the system and started giving some awesome performances.  Xavier, a Baylor University student, started us off with an acappella version of Journey’s ‘Don’t Stop Believing’.  Then Helen, another Baylor University student, joined Arturo in singing texano music.

Arturo with a big smile and the microphone with Helen

Arturo and Helen, Baylor University
Xavier dancing in front of the speakers

Xavier, Baylor University

The constable and his family are always so inviting and kind to us.  We were so happy to be able to spend time with them again this field season and are very thankful for his hospitality and a night of relaxing fun.

–Erica

Day 5

Snapshots

UIndy team holding up 5 fingers for day 5 while standing on increasing amounts of wooden palettes

Here’s to another full day in Falfurrias.   Last year we learned to expect the unexpected and that rings true for this year as well.  The UIndy team spent more time mentoring the Baylor undergraduates today than working on their own area of the cemetery.  Forensic archeology is a slow and complex process. The lesson of the day was slow down and strive for success.  In this particular situation, success is making sure we investigate every centimeter of this area in which burials could be located.  Success and progress are not only measured by the number of individuals we exhume each day, but by knowing that we are systematically investigating this plot of land so that all burials are detected and none are left behind.

As we were nearing our usual stopping point in the day (when the sun is so strong that just standing in direct sunlight can bring you down in minutes) we got a call that a skeleton had been located on a ranch. We were privileged to accompany Chief Benny and Border Patrol to the ranch to do the recovery of the individual.  We spent several hours in the baking sun working the case.

Green and white border patrol vehicle in the brushOnce we finished on the ranch we headed to the station with Chief Benny.  The individuals exhumed from the cemetery are temporarily being stored in a refrigerated trailer at the station.  We went to see the station and take a quick inventory on the recoveries to date. As you can see, there is never a dull day in Falfurrias. We came to work and we are working hard.

Over the past few days we have had the pleasure to meet and spend time with freelance writer Ananda Rose (http://anandarose.org/home.html).  Ananda has been investigating and writing about immigration issues since her graduate school years at Harvard.  Her dissertation work was compiled into a very powerful book called “Showdown in the Sonoran Desert: Religion, Law, and the Immigration Controversy.” I was first contacted by Ananda a few months ago because she wanted to write a piece on what we are doing surrounding issues of migrant death in South Texas for Scientific American.  After many phone calls and email exchanges over the past few months we finally got to meet in person.  The UIndy team and I got to share several meals, laughs and stories with Ananda over the three days she was in town.  I am so happy to have met such an amazing person who is working so hard to bring awareness to this issue! Not only is she an incredible author, but an incredible person as well. We miss you Ananda!

UIndy Group photo with Ananda

~KEL

Different Perspectives

Community, Environment, Reflections, Snapshots

Today had its highs, lows, and in between.  Once again late to breakfast I will be on time tomorrow (maybe).  Once we got to the site we got started right away, we set a goal and we were able to accomplish our goal by the end of the day.  However there has been a controversy among our group.  This has started to be a serious issue among our team.  There are two types of shovels on site, a tall shovel and a short shovel (with a handle).  You see, I am considered an average height individual and the tall shovel literally comes to my head. So why use a shovel almost taller than me.  I have been trying to convince the team that the short shovel is better and they should all convert to the short shovel.  However they constantly disagree and persist on using the tall shovel.  But little do they know they will slowly start to change their minds and eventually before the trip is over they will all convert to the short shovel.  I already have witnessed Dr. Latham using the short shovel and I personally think it’s a good look.  Other than that everything is great on scene and this is a great group of people.  After the work on scene I was ready to take a nap and get ready to for the amazing dinner at Arturo’s house I have been told about.  But before I was able to take my nap I was offered a chance to go to a ranch. 

UIndy team members smiling at the camera while shoveling inside a burial

I had my own idea of what a ranch looked like and I was so far off.  The idea of a ranch that I always imagined was wide open green acres, horses roaming freely, and a picture perfect landscape.  When we got out there I saw high grasses and random spots of small trees with spiny thorns and areas of gathered wood.  Nothing orderly or systematic about the land. I was able to freely explore and learn about. Lavoyger (the security manager) took us  to an area where migrants come and camp for the night.  A couple of the members of the group and myself walked through the area and gazed at all the torn clothes and empty bags on the ground.  Empty jugs, cans, and bottles were scattered around the area.  All of this was such an eye opener.  We were discussing this scene and expressing how sad the situation was and how hard it would be to imagine being in this situation.  And then it dawned on me that when the migrants make it to that area they are feeling a sense of accomplishment.  They are so close to their destination and know that they have possibly made it through the worst of their travel.  When I realized the perspective difference of the situation it was mind boggling.  Something so bizarre and incomprehensible to us is welcoming and achievable to them. 

A white dirt road extending into the brush with blue skies aboveAfter the ranch we were invited to the constable’s house for dinner.  It was quite an experience.  The food was amazing and I am glad I was properly introduced to cowboy bread.  The hospitality that we have received is so welcoming and I am grateful to everyone who has lent a helping hand.

Cheneta