Progress

Another concrete bomb shelter emerges, taking the shape of a Starbuck coffee palace embedded with the captive lure of free internet service. Like a crouching tiger on the prowl, this behemoth hungrily eyes the empty grass lot as a sure sign of progress. A Chipotle rises up next door. This nondescript storefront eatery imitates an assembly line method of serving up a slew of fresh ingredients in the shape of a taco salad, unlike anything ever seen in Mexico. Square shaped albatross blocks begin to nest in the corners of the parcel of unused land as the canal in front is drained and the arteries of sewer pipes are laid, then covered up as if they don’t really exist. An engineering miracle done on time and within budget. Black top is pounded down and cooled, white borders are formed to insure no one crosses over into someone else’s territory, artificial suns are hung to illuminate the night to help travelers find their way into this barren moonscape. An oasis of concrete bunkers offers up colored nutrients and drink, to the never-ending march of devotees who willingly lay down their coinage and devour everything being offered; the sure sign of progress when there is no place left to go.