El Paso

Sometimes you just have to see what a dot on a map looks like in all its sprawling glory. I have a friend in El Paso, so off I went.
Here is a 4th grade geography lesson: El Paso is on the border of Mexico, and only a few miles from New Mexico. It is over 80% Hispanic.


In ways the city looks like Phoenix- blue skies, palm trees, taupe mountains. I think El Paso is prettier, maybe because it's at a higher elevation.

Since my friend Gil is an El Paso native, I got to go to the type of Mexican restaurant the natives frequent. The food was wonderful, but this Margarita was made with wine and tasted like...watered down wine. I also got to sample Horchato, a sweetened rice drink. It tasted like the milk at the bottom of a bowl of Cinnamon Life cereal.

When the Holiday Inn shuttle driver was driving me from the airport, I asked about Mexico. He pointed and showed me the lights of Juarez. He may as well have pointed out the rings of Saturn. I am fascinated by borders. As border cities go, Juarez is a bit challenged. Over 100 people have been murdered there so far this year due to the drug cartels.