TG4W7.
Bizarre Week Part Deux.
WOW (Week of Weird) started out with me getting called "Kiddo" by the SWA flight Attendent.
I still don't know what to do with that.
In her defense, on flight days I'm usually in a ponytail without any makeup on.
But kiddo...Really?
Chances are I was probably older then her too.
(This is where I hear my mother's voice chiming in: "You'll love it when you're 40. You really will...")
After getting called the nickname of a 5 year old, I found myself in El Paso, TX. Home to UTEP, Designer Cowboy Boots and the man who was executed in Huntsville (see last post). The city is in the midst of what I'd consider a desert. As I was looking out the window on my SWA flight in, I couldn't believe how dry, desolate and barren the area is. El Paso is so far out there that it is not even in the same time zone as the rest of the state.
Texas should just sell it back to Mexico.
(No offense El Paso, just saying, it makes more sense).
When I had made plans to visit the campus, I didn't really think about the close proximity to Mexico. More importantly Juarez Mexico. One of the most dangerous cities and drug capitals in the world. I'd heard stories about Juarez from Friend J's father---a LA times photographer who spent time document the Drug Wars down there.
It's downright bat shit crazy. Stray bullets are known to fly into town and on campus. People are desperate to cross the border. What used to be a friendly border town that catered to tourists has become a hotspot for drugs and murder.
As I was driving to my hotel, I looked to the left of the freeway and saw groupings of dirty, rundown, small houses.
My first thought was that this couldn't possibly be the United States.
I quickly found out that I was right.
It was Mexico.
Right there.
To my left.
Insane.
I'm currently in an Immigration and Forced Displacement class at school and a few weeks ago, we did a lesson on Borders. Physical Borders, Invisible Borders, Borders we self create and Borders that are created through governments.
We discussed how some borders are difficult to see, even if you know subconsciously that they are there. Some borders are so prevalent that you can't not notice them.
The border between Mexico and the US is one of those.
Though there may not be a wall or a gate---there is a clear line that states "Mexico Here" It could also be called the line between the Haves and the Have Nots.
Growing up so close to the Canadian border, I was used to crossing into another country. However, the Canadian border is so pleasant. There's a park to hang out in and some Arches to take photos in front of.
The Mexican Border (I accidentally found myself down there)is a bridge that has no welcoming features at all---just a big sign that practically shouts, "Turn Back Now!"
I pretty much stayed close to my hotel and campus. At least it was Oscars night, so I had something to keep me entertained. I also had a few chances to use my Spanish and got some Amazing Mexican food.
Meeting went really well, we're going to see a lot of growth. I was in El Paso for less then 24 hours, but I really regret not finding myself some custom made cowboy boots.
Week of Weird (You could also insert: weird or what?!?) continued in Houston...which wasn't so bizarre as it was downright humid.
(My hair hates me right now.)
I'm really trying to like Houston (I don't really like it). People say its a great place (People lie). Maybe it'll grow on me.
I did get a few fantastic meetings in on the work scene. But I also got to reunionize with one of my very favorites: Friend J. Friend J and I haven't seen each other for a few years. But Friend J makes me laugh a lot. I even got to get some much needed doggy kisses from her two puppy dogs.
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