Mexican stereotypes come true

You know when you plan a trip to a new country, you kind of hope you will see all those classic stereotypes, even if you know you'll be lucky to see one.
Well so far, my trip in Mexico had been highly unsuccessful at stereotype-spotting.
That was until last weekend...
I went with a group of friends to Real de Catorce, a tiny town set in the mountains in the state of San Luis Potosi.
It has a population of about 3000, but during this time there were many pilgrims who come for a few weeks every year to pray to San Franciso de Asis at the beautiful old church.
It's set high up in the mountains, so after driving along the worlds longest cobbled road you stand ascending the mountain and experiencing some magical views over the desert.
Once you get to the top, you feel like you are in some crazy land of stereotypes.
1. Men actually wesaring bigotes and sombreros
2. the deserted desert with cactuses everywhere
3. And tumbleweed rolling along the road
4. Men with golden teeth, or even better no teeth.
5. Hallucenogenic cactus
6. Indigenous women in colourful dresses
7. Tacos of every colour, shape and variety for about 50c each
8. People drinking cans of beer in the street- at 9am
9. Donkeys everywhere, for riding, transporting goods, as pets, crossing the road, standing in a field, as enemies, whatever you want.
10. Riding on the roof of a battered up old jeep
11. Horse and cart taking you through the tunnel.

The list could really go on and on.. but suffice to say that if you want a hit of real old-school Mexican culture, you should visit Real de 14.

Escalating danger

Yesterday there was a shooting in Monterrey, about 5 minutes from my University and home. No one was injured but it lasted about 15 minutes, in a suburban neighbourhood. (And right behind the McDonalds I frequent on hungover Sundays!)

It's strange, a few years ago Monterrey was known as the safest city in Mexico. When I first arrived here I heard of shootings in towns nearby Monterrey, then in suburbs on the outskirts of the city, then in the ugly inner suburbs, and now in a so-called safe area, just minutes from where I live. Of course, I am now wondering how close will it actually get to me?

And last Sunday there were reports of a grenade attack in a public plaza. This is the first time that civilians have been targeted by drug cartels. This is not a good sign.

I'm not sure what to do next. My teacher warned everyone to stay inside last night, taught us techniques incase we do get caught in the middle of a shootout, and advised everyone that this weekend could get ugly. I'm not used to hearing these sentences, "if you find yourself in a shooting", "Don't go outside unless necessary", "never walk alone" but since I've been in Monterrey they've become almost as common as Que onda wey!

The University has called emergency safety meetings today and tomorrow and the international news has caught on, but all I'm worried about is my parents finding out and sending me home.
Because in the end, as dangerous as it may be, I'm not ready to leave. I still love Mexico and want to discover more.

I just wish it was a little more convenient to do so.

Read the articleshere:
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5gMi5B2USfJStXxfqgWWr2xjRYpOgD9IKFVIG1?docId=D9IKFVIG1
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/programmes/world_news_america/8955232.stm

Important Lessons Learnt So Far

Yesterday was not my day!
As my Mum always says 'bad luck runs in three' and yesterday I copped all three in one day.

1. I'd arranged to meet friends at 7am Friday for a quick foray to the Texan town of McAllen, most famous for it's outlet shopping. At 10.30 am I woke up groggy and dazed from the previous nights fun (Black eyed Peas were in town and the concert and after-party were awesome!) until I suddenly came to my senses and realised I'd missed the rendez-vous. SHIT! My phone battery had died so the alarm never went off. I charged my phone and saw the multiple messages from my friends- 'Donde estas puta!!??' were some of the nicer ones. So I decided I could just get a bus to McAllen and meet them there so I don't miss out on this bargain shopping!

2. I got the bus easily enough and told my friends I'll meet them in McAllen in the afternoon. We cross the Rio Grande and pull up at the very busy immigration station. I wait in line thinking 'yes I have my visa, good work, this should be easy...' Then I look at the person next to holding her passport in her hand. SHIT! I forgot my passport!!! Next thought, 'Ok so maybe I don't need it, maybe I just need my visa.. Wishful thinking!'.
So the immigration officers have only one thing to say to me, 'Go back to Mexico. You can't come in'. I feel like a wet bag or a drug dealer or something. So I trot miserably back to Mexico leaving my grand dreams of starting a new life behind (ok, so maybe just my dreams of finding some bargains but it felt very dramatic!).
Worse still, I was left stranded in the town of Reynosa. I asked on of the taxi drivers, (Es peligroso aqui?' and he replied 'Mas o menos". Is it dangerous here? - More or less! So I practically ran to the bus station and boarded the next bus to Monterrey.

3. So my miserable self and I get back to Monterrey and decide to go to a friends party with the idea that a few beers will make everything good again. And after a few beers, they do. Until I decide to dance my way across the room, slipped on some water and landed smack bang on my coccyx bone. That was at 11.45pm. So for the final 15 minutes of Friday I sat still nursing my back and counting down the second til my SHIT! day was over!!

Lessons learnt:
1. Everything bad happens in threes.
2. You need your passport if you plan on entering a new country.
3. If it's not your day, it's not your day. Accept it.
4. Reynosa is dangerous.
5. SHIT happens!

6. Mum is always right!