The Streets of Juarez

Driving on the streets of Juarez can be a harrowing experience.  The drivers here are some of the most aggressive that I have ever seen, although, paradoxically, they are also some of the slowest.  I'm not sure how both of those things can be true.  Aside from the drivers, however, you also have to avoid the numerous potholes (which they repair by filling with sand), missing lane markers, and vendors at every traffic light, selling everything from inflatable punching bags to churros from the top of a festive sombrero (sadly, Sarah has forbidden me from ever eating a churro out of a man's hat).  At first, I viewed all of these things as somewhat of an irritant, but I have begun to appreciate them as just another unique and integral part of this city.   

     

Not everyone benefits, however.  Dogs in particular are not well taken care of.  If that picture on the left is hard to figure out, it was taken through the back windshield of a passing vehicle.  The driver had popped out the back speakers, which allowed his chihuahua mutt to sit with his body in the trunk of the car, but with his head sticking out into the cabin of the vehicle, like some sort of puppy periscope.  Not sure if this is better or worse than the poor dog on the right, who had to sit on top a pile of old scrap metal as his owner rambled through downtown Juarez.  

But the unpleasant sights (like unsafe dogs and children without seatbelts) are thankfully outweighed by the much more enjoyable bizarre sights, sounds, and smells that you find at almost every intersection.  There is almost always a juggler, gymnast, or dancer ready to show off their skills for a few pesos.  If you're hungry, why not roll down your window and buy some sunflower seeds, mangos, or a popsicle.  Just the other day, I watched a lady purchase a cob of corn from the comfort of her vehicle, and then proceed to drive around, munching on her elote and talking on her cell phone.  I literally cannot think of a worse snack to eat while driving than corn on the cob, but hey, I'm just an ignorant gringo.   

One of the things I appreciate most about Mexicans is their entrepreneurial spirit.  If there's a way to make money, they will find it.  If there is demand that needs to be filled (like people who want to eat corn while driving), they will meet that demand.  Juarez will always be unique, and the strange stuff you see every day on the street is a constant reminder of that.

The 2014 Summer Movie Roundup!

I recognize that this is a bit late in the year to be doing my annual review of the summer move season, but as I said previously, summer seems to last in Juarez until at least Halloween, so this still counts.

This last summer, I shared the same concerns that perhaps many of you had.  Now that Ryan has a baby, will he still have enough time to go see summer movies?  What will become of the summer movie roundup tradition?  Thankfully, I was able to persevere, push past adversity, find a babysitter, and make it to the movies.  So, let's get started.

5. Godzilla

I wasn't expecting much when I heard that Godzilla was being rebooted.  I've never really been a big Godzilla fan, and pretty much everything about the the 1998 version was terrible (and yes, I'm including the Puff Daddy/Jimmy Page collaboration for the theme song).  So I was pleasantly surprised at how good this movie turned out to be.  I found it a bit odd that they spent the first hour of the film trying to solve the mystery of what was causing all these nuclear disasters (spoiler alert: it was Godzilla), but overall, very fun to watch.

4. Edge of Tomorrow

As you know, I always try to applaud originality during summer movies.  Granted, the movie is based on a graphic novel, but at least it's not a reboot/sequel/prequel/spinoff of some other film.  I know there are a lot of Tom Cruise haters out there, and the dude may be weird, but I appreciate that he's not afraid to do original, high-concept sci-fi movies.  It was a great concept with plenty of explosions, which lands it firmly at #4 on this year's list.

3. X-Men: Days of Future Past

X-Men: First Class was a fantastic movie that breathed a lot of life back into this franchise, so I thought this follow-up film would be a bit of a disappointment.  If anything, I think this film may even be the better of the two.  Time travel movies are always tricky, but this one seemed to manage without any major gaps in logic.  It also had one of the best uses of slow-motion that I have seen in a film in a long time.

2. Captain America: The Winter Soldier

This may be the best movie that came out in the summer of 2014.  It was probably the best-acted, best-made film that I saw this summer.  I even saw it one and a half times in the theater because I enjoyed it so much (the power went out the first time we went to see the movie, so we had to go back two weeks later).  Despite its awesomeness, however, it still got beat out by the surprise blockbuster of the year.

1. Guardians of the Galaxy

If Captain America is the best film that came out this summer, why is Guardians of the Galaxy my #1 choice?  Because I always look for a certain goofy, absurd quality to summer movies.  Captain America may have been the best movie, but Guardians was the most fun.  Probably the hardest I have laughed in the theater this year, as well.

So that's it.  One more year in the books.  There should be some good movies coming out next year, but, of course, I will be living in London, so it will probably cost about $40 per person to see a movie.  Hopefully, Sarah will be willing to make the investment!  Until 2015!

El Senor Turns One!

We have survived one year of parenthood!  Woohoo!  Seventeen more years and this little rugrat is out of the house!  Let's recap the momentous occasion, shall we?

We started the day off quietly with just a few presents that Sarah and I got for our little guy.  I cannot emphasize enough how much El Señor loves books.  That is literally all he wants to play with right now.  He looks so appreciative/excited in these photos!

We decided to throw a massive bash for the little man, by which I mean we fit about 60 people in our house, contracted my parents to come help for the event, cooked one thousand hamburger sliders and cupcakes, and had a great time.

In all fairness, El Señor is not big on crowds right now, so he does look a bit somber in some of these photos.  I promise he did have some fun at the party.

 That is, until the cake came out.

"Get that delicious cupcake out of my face!"

After that traumatic event, he seemed to liven up a bit and enjoy himself.  Thanks to everyone who came, provided snacks, and for all the very generous gifts.  In all seriousness, we love our little man more than anything!  Senorito, I couldn't imagine my life without you, and can't wait to celebrate a lifetime of birthdays with you.  I hope age one is your best year yet.  Many happy returns.

Summer 2014!

Well, I suppose it's time for the summer in review.  I fully recognize that it is October, but in Juarez, summer seems to last at least until Halloween, so this still counts.  We have had a great few months, and had opportunities to travel quite a bit to see family and friends.   

First off, I worked on the Consulate Fourth of July Party again this year.  I helped out with most of the logistics, and sang in the National Anthem choir again this year.  I wish I had some better photos, but I was running around so much during the whole event, that I never seemed to have a chance to stop and snap a few photos.  So anyway, here's a picture of a humongous cake.

Later on in July, we took El Señor up to Albuquerque to hang out with my parents.  If you haven't been, Albuquerque is actually a really cool town.  Lots of good food, and plenty of interesting sights. This was also our little guy's first trip to the zoo, which he thought was pretty cool.

We also found out that he is non-too-pleased to be in an elevator.  Something about the hotel elevator really creeped him out, and that sentiment continues to this day any time we get in an elevator.  Oh well, hopefully he'll grow out of it before we move into our flat in London.

We also made a quick trip up to Santa Fe, which was fun.  It's been a long time since I've been there, and I forgot how green it was.  A nice break from the dust bowl that we usually live in.

All in all, we had a great trip, and it was nice to catch up with my folks for a few days.  After that, we had a quick visit from my sister Jaime and her family, and then it was time for me to head off to...

Monterrey!  I spent one week in Monterrey (the Beverly Hills of Mexico) on Temporary Duty (or TDY as we call it).  Monterrey is an awesome city completely hemmed in by beautiful mountains.  I also got to catch up with quite a few of my friends from my entering A-100 class when I joined the Foreign Service.

Seriously, this city is beautiful.  If we ever make our way back to Mexico in the next 34 years of my career, Monterrey would definitely be on my list.

Let's see, what else?  Right, Sarah's little brother got married this summer!  We were able to spend a week in DC to help out with the wedding, and catch up with some family and friends.  Sure, I could show you some pictures of the happy couple, but wouldn't you rather see a dapper little one-year old?

Looking good, dude. 

Time For a Haircut

The time had come.  El Senorito needed a haircut.  He somehow developed this strange, pillowy hair condition, where is stood straight up all the time.

In all fairness, it was a good look for him, but it was starting to hang over his ears and drive him a little crazy.  Time to stop by our friendly neighborhood barber, Alicia.

El Señor took it like a champ.  Although he was definitely a bit weirded out by the whole thing (as evidenced in the thousand-yard stare in the photo on the right), he didn't cry one bit.  Good work, little man.