La la la la laaaaa Chihuahuaaaaa!!

The north of México is a very special place to me. It is much more similar to certain regions in the United States but it has a very northern Mexican feel which can be seen in the food, the music, the lifestyle and both the character and the appearance of the people. Many people, including myself, think that the people of the north are the most beautiful in México, and it’s one of the only places where it’s not almost impossible to find people taller than me. There is also something about its mountains that I just love, being able to drive around the city and have this beautiful backdrop wherever you go is really special.

I loved Chihuahua the first time I came, and this time I got to know some of the quirkier things they do here. Two of the things I found the most amusing:

1. They call hotdogs “dogos” and there is actually a hotdog joint called “Master dogos”

2. They have drive through off-license where you buy beer and tequila and then drive around while you drink it (yes that includes the driver). It’s kind of like going to a friend’s house for pre-drinks except you are in your friend’s car instead (and he-she is technically drink driving).

I’d also like to make a shout out to Flor’s aunty, tía Lupe, who invited us to lunch and made us “chicharrones en salsa Verde” (chicharrones in green sauce). Chicharrones are fried pork rinds and are very popular in South America. They are usually eaten as crips but you can also cook with them and they because soft and delicious. Tía Lupe’s chicharrones in green sauce (seen below) are some of the finest in México so we were very lucky to have the pleasure of trying them.

I would also like to thank Flor’s mum for her delicious food, and my particular favourite her enchiladas that were prepared by her but put together by my favourite chihuahuense housewives, Violets and Flor (seen below)

But it’s not all fun and games in Chihuahua. Until recently it was one of the most dangerous states in México. Like all states bordering with the U.S., there is a lot of drug related activity and thus violence from gangs as well. This was especially true for the biggest city in the state of Chihuahua, Ciudad Juarez, which lies right on the border and was at one point the most dangerous city in the world. The city has more than 300 maquiladoras (assembly plants, aka sweat shops) that started opening after the free trade agreement NAFTA was passed between México, the U.S. and Canada in 1994. Many Mexicans, including lots of young women moved here to work in the factories and were attacked and raped frequently on their way to work. It was an awful time, but now there are more federal police and army officers conducting anti-drug operations and the situation is a lot better.

All in all I had a great time, hanging out with amazing people and it was a great finish to my northern adventure. Chihuahua is a fiesty and beautiful state with wonderful people. Everyone jokes that I am the only tourist to ever come to Chihuahua, let alone come twice but honestly I can’t wait for my third visit 🙂