NewsWest 9
BOQUILLAS, COAHUILA - The small town of Boquillas, right across the border from Big Bend National Park has electricity for the first time in history.
NewsWest 9 took a trip across the border to see how the community is adapting to this big change.
At the end of March, electricity was put into every house in Boquillas. As a result, local businesses and the community in general are slowly getting back to the way they were before.
"To come to Boquillas is a unique experience. You can cross the river in a small boat, then hop on a horse or donkey or walk to town. You can see how life was in the past," said Bernardo Rogel of José Falcon's Restaurant & Bar.
Since the port of entry reopened on April 10, 2013, tourists have slowly filled the streets of Boquillas to enjoy the beauty of this hidden gem on the border of Coahuila, Mexico.
Before the town got electricity, local restaurants and homeowners were limited in the food they could eat and serve.
"When it's hot, you can't preserve anything," said Lilia Falcon, who's mother owns José Falcon's Restaurant & Bar.
José Falcon's Restaurant & Bar now serves a full menu. Local businesses are getting more consumers and more visitors are making their way to this small town. All thanks to "la granja," which means "solar farm."
"Now the people are asking, 'How are we going to pay for the electricity? When are we gonna get billed?'" said Falcon.
Before electricity, summer nights were spent sleeping outside under the stars.
"Before, we had to sleep outside because it was too hot to sleep in your house. But now with electricity, many have purchased fans and are much more comfortable sleeping inside," said Boquillas resident, Paulo Martinez.
Now, solar panels line the streets. A hint of modern technology infused with a lifestyle of the past.
"[My] light is only on at night. Maybe two to three hours until 10 or 11 o'clock," said Boquillas resident, Pablo Robles Luna.
"This will change our lives. For example, now we can have a little fridge, maybe a new TV," said Luna.
