Friday at Ciudad Juárez

Today, they took us all around Juárez by bus. I saw again that there is a difference between Juárez and El Paso, but that as a museum guide said, they are like sister cities. We went to Casa de Adobe, which was at the very border between Mexico and the USA, and there is where that man explained the whole story of Juárez, and certainly he talked about Juárez during the Mexican Revolution. Now, I know the city was very, very important. For example, Ciudad Juárez is the city were the Revolution ended.

Next, we went to MUREF, which is a museum where they had a lot of interesting things about the city and his relevance to the Mexican Revolution, including an old car, which was similar to the one used by Francisco I. Madero during his stay in Juárez. They also had old newspapers, pictures, and even biographies of people I didn't even know they existed, that actually were important for the Revolution, such as foreigner photographers.

Then, we went to a restaurant and ate some really delicious food. We had a talk with a woman that knew a lot about the tourism of the region. He gave the talk in English, but before that he ate with us, and she talked a lot about Juárez in Spanish, which was also helpful to know about the city.

As we got back to Campus, we went to the closing event, which was just chilling around what I think is Aulas 3.

Thursday at Carlsbad

So, we went all the way to the Carlsbad Caverns. It was very far away from Ciudad Juárez. A three hour drive to be more specific. Crossing was a little bit more complicated, because there was a lot more people, and the guards were more strict, but apart from that, it was ok.When we arrived, I was surprised, because the landscape was simply amazing. I had never seen such a beautiful landscape. They told us the caverns were big. And they were right. But also, they were so underground. I remember to read it said we could go down to over 300 meters below the surface. One thing I don't know if they said, but I felt it right away, was that down there it was very cold. Anyway, the caverns were beautiful. Simply amazing.


When we got back, the border guards did check us. They even looked at the bus, so we had to wait until the bus got checked. We arrived very late to Campus, around 8:00.

Wednesday at Las Cruces

In Las Cruces, we visited a church, which was a small one, but really nice looking. It was located just outside the town, in a county called Mesilla. We ate at a restaurant, just before going to a fair. That fair was full of some amazing things, ones that are rarely seen in my city.

Tractors were all around. So were animals. Well, there were many animals, such as cows, chickens, pigs, rabbits, goats, zebras or even camels, but they were in corrals. Also, there was a speedway. 

When we got back to Juárez, we went to get our permits, because the next day we were going to Carlsbad, New Mexico. Personally, I thought it was going to be a really long process, because there were 22 of us, plus the teachers. Then we saw something I hadn't seen before. There were two Mexican women trying to get a permit. One of them was old. She was crying and begging the officer to give her a permit, but he refused. I don't really know why, but it was hard to see and hear her. I really hope she got the permit. She looked so sad and desperate. That made me think that it wouldn't be easy to get us a permit. But luckily, it was. So, as we got the permit, we went back home.

Tuesday at El Paso

Today, they took us to El Paso, Texas, the city just on the other side of the river. We crossed the border on foot. In comparison with other times I have crossed that way, it took way less time. Here, it's faster than in Reynosa for example. Also, the border guards were kind, so crossing was not a problem.

In El Paso, we were going to the Holocaust Museum, but it was closed.

Then, the teacher took us to the Museum of Art, which was actually really nice, even though I'm not really an art person. They had some cool stuff, even a signed basketball ball.

Later that day, we arrived to The Outlets Shoppes. There, they had a variety of clothes and other stuff. I couldn't decide what to buy, and at the end of the day I just got out with 3 bags. We were there from 12:30 to 4, so I ate in the food court. I went with chicken wings, which were, like everything else at the outlets, more expensive than in Juárez.

Overall, people was very kind, but there was just one little thing. When I tried to record for my project, people refused to be in the video. They said they were not allowed as employers to do that. Everything else was ok. I just noticed something that I still don't understand. The rain. When we were about to go, it started to rain a little bit. The rain was cold, and I don't get that. I mean, it's water, but in my city, the rain is not that cold. And it's not that it rains hot water, but here the rain is cold.

Getting back to Juárez was easy as well. The Mexican security in the border didn't even looked at us when we arrived.

First time in Ciudad Juárez

For this year's Semana i, I decided to go to Ciudad Juárez, Chihuahua, a city I've never visited before. I come from Monterrey, which is also in the Northern part of Mexico, so I was expecting a similar culture here in Juárez. I was right, but there are also very different things.


First of all, people is way more friendly. Everyone is ready to help you if you need it. For example, I needed somewhere to stay this week, and a friend that lives here told me I could stay with him. Also, people here don't get desperate when driving. Back in my city, people go crazy.


Next, the weather. Even though Monterrey is hot, here is hotter. At least I feel it that way. Juárez has less plants than Monterrey. They also have mountains, but I think I have a better view in Monterrey, because of Cerro de la Silla. I have to mention that buildings are starting to make the view less attractive. Juárez has a better location though, because its right next to the US. You can see that El Paso is on the other side of the river.