Weekend Trip from San Antonio

By Marcus Wilder

Driving the expressway is about the biggest gamble I take, but if you are into  blackjack  or cranking slot machine handles relief is within reach.

 The Texas branch of the Kickapoo [I didn't make that up.] Tribe has a casino near Eagle Pass on the border. Some of you will remember Kickapoo Joy Juice in Al Capp's Li'l Abner comics.

Kickapoo's lived for years in traditional shelters under the international bridge at Eagle Pass. These dwellings were covered with flattened cardboard boxes instead of animal  hides. Kickapoo's lived like this because they wouldn't keep their children in school. Now Kickapoos have casino income so their children don't need to go to  school..

This Kickapoo tribe has an unusual treaty with the U.S. and Mexico. Kickapoos may cross the Rio Grande at will.

The casino draws high roller gamblers from Mexico in some numbers. 

Learn more about Marcus Wilder, his books, and his travel at NaiveAbroad.com

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Photographs not the author's.