Wednesday, October 6, 2010

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

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