{"id":43852,"date":"2015-12-09T12:27:00","date_gmt":"2015-12-08T18:13:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/hispanicprwire.com\/paisano-welcome-to-laredo-2\/"},"modified":"2015-12-09T13:30:03","modified_gmt":"2015-12-09T17:30:03","slug":"paisano-bienvenido-a-laredo-5","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/hispanicprwire.com\/en\/paisano-bienvenido-a-laredo-5\/","title":{"rendered":"Paisano, Welcome to Laredo"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><\/p>\n<style type=\"text\/css\"><![CDATA[\n\/* Style Definitions *\/\nspan.prnews_span\n{\nfont-size:8pt;\nfont-family:\"Arial\";\ncolor:black;\n}\na.prnews_a\n{\ncolor:blue;\n}\nli.prnews_li\n{\nfont-size:8pt;\nfont-family:\"Arial\";\ncolor:black;\n}\np.prnews_p\n{\nfont-size:0.62em;\nfont-family:\"Arial\";\ncolor:black;\nmargin:0in;\n}\n]]><\/style>\n<div class=\"xn-content\">\n<p>\n    <\/p>\n<p><i><span class=\"xn-location\">City of Laredo<\/span> to celebrate 18 years helping Mexican citizens return home for holidays<\/i> <\/p>\n<p\/>\n<p><span class=\"xn-location\">LAREDO, Texas<\/span>, <span class=\"xn-chron\">Dec. 8, 2015<\/span> \/PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE\/ &#8212;\u00a0For the past 17 years, the <span class=\"xn-location\">City of Laredo<\/span> has hosted a <i>Paisano<\/i> Rest Stop to help Mexican citizens returning home from throughout the U.S. have a smoother experience as they head home for the holidays. \u00a0This unique bi-national project is offered only in <span class=\"xn-location\">Laredo<\/span>, Texas.\u00a0 The City of Laredo Convention &amp; Visitors Bureau works with the Mexican Consulate General to set-up the rest stop; however, there are many city, state and federal departments and agencies from both sides of the border who come together to help the <i>paisanos<\/i>. <\/p>\n<p>The <i>Paisano<\/i> Rest Stop will be at IH-35 southbound, just off Mile Marker 13, beginning <span class=\"xn-chron\">Friday, December 18<\/span>, at 12 noon and closing at 12 noon on <span class=\"xn-chron\">Sunday, December 20<\/span>, 2015.\u00a0 For 48 continuous hours, the rest stop has individuals who help review documents necessary for travelers, as well as any goods or vehicles they may be taking into <span class=\"xn-location\">Mexico<\/span>. Information on bridge wait times, directions, simple mechanic help, refreshments, restroom facilities and simply, an opportunity to rest and stretch their legs is free and offered at the site.\u00a0 <\/p>\n<p>Additional information given includes:<\/p>\n<ul type=\"disc\">\n<li>Hotel and restaurant listings; <\/li>\n<li>U.S. Customs regulations for return trip; <\/li>\n<li>Legitimate nationalization processing business listing; <\/li>\n<li>Complaint and crime reporting procedures with Mexican Consulate and local agencies; <\/li>\n<li>Volunteer mechanic on-call to do initial inspection, minor car repairs; <\/li>\n<li>Mexican immigration regulations and forms; <\/li>\n<li>Free copies.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>All is done with a smile and in Spanish.\u00a0 In fact, to help welcome the paisanos as they stop off at the rest stop will be <span class=\"xn-location\">Laredo&#8217;s<\/span> own Ambassadors, who will be a part of the volunteers providing helpful information and assisting in any way possible to help make their stop at the rest area a pleasant one.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;<span class=\"xn-location\">Laredo<\/span> welcomes <i>paisanos<\/i>,&#8221; said <span class=\"xn-location\">Laredo<\/span> Mayor <span class=\"xn-person\">Pete Saenz<\/span>.\u00a0 &#8220;We want their experience in <span class=\"xn-location\">Laredo<\/span> to be positive, restful, and beneficial before they continue into Mexico.\u00a0 We host the <i>Paisano<\/i> Rest Stop to help facilitate their crossing experience here because <span class=\"xn-location\">Laredo, Texas<\/span> does appreciate the work these Mexican citizens are doing in <span class=\"xn-location\">the United States<\/span>,&#8221; Saenz concluded. <\/p>\n<p>Motorists will see signage and hear radio messages posted from <span class=\"xn-location\">San Antonio<\/span> on south.\u00a0 Local, state and federal officials patrol the roadside on IH-35 South, to offer assistance to<i> paisanos<\/i> that need help, including security, traffic control, and road side assistance.\u00a0 This year, the exit to the rest stop will be marked with extra signage and lights, especially for those traveling at night or who may not be familiar with the turn-off to the facility.\u00a0 Motorists who have not stopped before are encouraged to do so before continuing on their journey.\u00a0 <\/p>\n<p>The Texas Department of Transportation is offering the Texas Travel Center, located on the north-bound side of IH-35 at Mile Marker 18 as an overnight parking facility with restrooms available 24 hours. <\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Our effort to mount this city-wide welcome to <span class=\"xn-location\">Laredo<\/span> is to facilitate the travel experience and help our visitors have a safer, more positive time each year that they chose to come back through our community,&#8221; stated <span class=\"xn-person\">Blasita J. Lopez<\/span>, Laredo Convention and Visitors Bureau Director. &#8220;While we will offer a variety of services across town, overnight parking is of particular importance because we have traditionally seen our hotels fill to capacity.\u00a0 I encourage all of our travelers to book a hotel reservation early so that they can benefit the most from the stop in <span class=\"xn-location\">Laredo<\/span> before they continue their journey into <span class=\"xn-location\">Mexico<\/span>.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p><i><span class=\"xn-location\">Paisanos<\/span> <\/i>returning to <span class=\"xn-location\">Mexico<\/span> through <span class=\"xn-location\">Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas<\/span> should take Bridge I to avoid traffic congestion along IH-35 at Bridge II.\u00a0 Motorists exit Del Mar Exit #4 and will be on Santa Maria Avenue; follow <span class=\"xn-location\">Santa Maria<\/span> south to Bridge I.\u00a0 <\/p>\n<p>Along the alternate route to Bridge I, off of Santa Maria Avenue, the parking lot and bathroom facilities at Veteran&#8217;s Field will be available to<i> paisanos<\/i>.\u00a0 Hours of operation are <span class=\"xn-chron\">Friday, December 18<\/span> at 12 noon, through 12 noon on <span class=\"xn-chron\">Sunday, December 20, 2015<\/span>; <span class=\"xn-location\">Laredo<\/span> officials have planned to have the facilities be available throughout the week leading up to Christmas.\u00a0 <\/p>\n<p>Additional overnight parking facilities will also be available at the Laredo Civic Center, located at 2400 San Bernardo Avenue where portable restrooms facilities will be available. Thanks to the Laredo Independent School District, whose two parking lots will be patrolled be <span class=\"xn-location\">Laredo<\/span> and <span class=\"xn-person\">L.I.S.D. Police<\/span>.<\/p>\n<p><i><span class=\"xn-location\">Paisanos<\/span> <\/i>wishing to avoid congestion all together can take Colombia Solidarity Bridge (Bridge III) into <span class=\"xn-person\">Nuevo Leon<\/span>.\u00a0 The extended holiday hours of operation for Bridge III will be: <span class=\"xn-chron\">Friday, December 18<\/span> opening at <span class=\"xn-chron\">8:00 a.m.<\/span> It will begin operating continuously for 24 hours through midnight, <span class=\"xn-chron\">Monday, December 21, 2015<\/span> and remain open until all traffic is processed.\u00a0 For regular AVI motorists who cross daily, there will be a special designated crossing route for them to take to Bridge II, to avoid the downtown <i>paisano <\/i>and shopping traffic congestion.\u00a0 AVI motorists should take <span class=\"xn-location\">San Eduardo<\/span> south to <span class=\"xn-location\">Hidalgo<\/span>, turn west on <span class=\"xn-location\">Hidalgo<\/span> and then turn south again on Santa Ursula.\u00a0\u00a0 <\/p>\n<p>Local traffic should be aware of the additional holiday traffic in the upcoming days and exercise caution and patience when traveling in the downtown areas and around major retail centers.<\/p>\n<p>Finally, for up-to-date changes to laws regarding Mexican citizens returning home to <span class=\"xn-location\">Mexico<\/span> for the holidays and vehicle import laws, as well as for U.S. or other foreign nationals traveling into <span class=\"xn-location\">Mexico<\/span>, concerning the documents they must have to facilitate this process, please consult Mexican authorities.\u00a0 For more information, follow the link <a href=\"http:\/\/www.paisano.gob.mx\/pdfs\/Guiapaisano.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\">http:\/\/www.paisano.gob.mx\/pdfs\/Guiapaisano.pdf<\/a> which can be downloaded on smart-phones, for up-to-date and accurate information. <\/p>\n<p><span class=\"xn-location\">Paisanos<\/span> making the trip through <span class=\"xn-location\">Laredo<\/span> come from throughout <span class=\"xn-location\">the United States<\/span>, including <span class=\"xn-location\">Texas<\/span>, <span class=\"xn-location\">Alabama<\/span>, <span class=\"xn-location\">Arizona<\/span>, <span class=\"xn-location\">Arkansas<\/span>, <span class=\"xn-location\">California<\/span>, <span class=\"xn-location\">Florida<\/span>, <span class=\"xn-location\">Georgia<\/span>, <span class=\"xn-location\">Illinois<\/span>, <span class=\"xn-location\">Michigan<\/span>, <span class=\"xn-location\">Oklahoma<\/span>, <span class=\"xn-location\">New York<\/span>, <span class=\"xn-location\">North Carolina<\/span>, and <span class=\"xn-location\">South Carolina<\/span>, to name a few, citing the welcoming experience as they cross in <span class=\"xn-location\">Laredo<\/span> and once in <span class=\"xn-location\">Mexico<\/span>, the safety and ease of travel on the highway through this route.<\/p>\n<p>For more information about the <i>Paisano<\/i> Rest Stop, <i>paisanos<\/i> should call the Laredo Convention &amp; Visitors Bureau at 800-361-3360 or visit <a href=\"http:\/\/www.paisano.gob.mx\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\">www.paisano.gob.mx<\/a> or on Facebook at <a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/welcomepaisanostoLaredo\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\">https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/welcomepaisanostoLaredo<\/a>\u00a0or visit the <span class=\"xn-location\">City of Laredo<\/span> website at <a href=\"http:\/\/www.cityoflaredo.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\">www.cityoflaredo.com<\/a>. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p> <\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<div class=\"xn-content\">\n<p>\n    <\/p>\n<p><i><span class=\"xn-location\">City of Laredo<\/span> to celebrate 18 years helping Mexican citizens return home for holidays<\/i> <\/p>\n<p \/>\n<p><span class=\"xn-location\">LAREDO, Texas<\/span>, <span class=\"xn-chron\">Dec. 8, 2015<\/span> \/PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE\/ &#8212;\u00a0For the past 17 years, the <span class=\"xn-location\">City of Laredo<\/span> has hosted a <i>Paisano<\/i> Rest Stop to help Mexican citizens returning home from throughout the U.S. have a smoother experience as they head home for the holidays. \u00a0This unique bi-national project is&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[14],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-43852","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-viajes-y-turismo"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/hispanicprwire.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/43852","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/hispanicprwire.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/hispanicprwire.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hispanicprwire.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hispanicprwire.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=43852"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/hispanicprwire.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/43852\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/hispanicprwire.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=43852"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hispanicprwire.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=43852"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hispanicprwire.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=43852"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}