Culturally Speaking

Living in El Paso is basically like living in a different country. Sure, it's in Texas, but it's more like Mexico. Many people don't speak English, and the Mexican culture is dominant here in many aspects. There are some not so great things about living here, but it's also not all bad. We are happy here for the time being, but I'm glad knowing we won't be here forever. Here are some of my observations after living here for a few months. It is culturally very different from MN.

Style - Minneapolis is a fairly diverse place, and usually pretty up on current fashion. Hipsters roam the streets of uptown, professionals are dressed to the nines downtown, and college kids dress to impress all around town. Even children for the most part are well dressed. Well, in El Paso, half the people you see look like they got dressed in the dark. Maybe it's the lower standard of living or the culture, but seriously people, you could put a little work in. Then there's also the factor of the heat. Wearing as little clothing as possible is was gets you through the day. Short shorts, tank tops, and sun dresses all the way. I don't know how the soldiers work outside in their pants and long sleeves all the time. I'm excited for it to cool down a little so I can start wearing jeans, and sweatshirts, and boots, and OOH - getting too excited about fall clothes! MN change of season syndrome we'll call it.

Music - Minneapolis also has a pretty good music scene. I have gone to tons of concerts, seen bands play at bars, and experienced a variety of genres. Here there is one: Mariachi. No, not really, but almost. The radio stations here are terrible. There is no alternative, indie, or Cities97 type music to be found. Even the pop music they play is not so great. Concerts are few and far between, however I would like to attend an El Paso Symphony Orchestra concert at some point.

Independent film - I never realized that independent film was something that I would necessarily miss, but when a movie was coming out that I wanted to see and nowhere in El Paso was showing it I was a little sad. Luckily, one theater in town eventually got it. Unfortunately I can't rely on the Edina Landmark Theater to fill my independent film needs any longer.

Theater/art - El Paso has some museums and one nice theater, but overall it's lacking in the arts department. In Minneapolis it's like art and theater and music are just everywhere always. You don't have to look very hard for some sort of cultural entertainment. Here it's a little more difficult, but I was happy to see that they have a pretty good Broadway schedule lined up for the year. Now to convince myself it's ok to pay the $150-200 to see Wicked again...

Outdoors - Texas is hot. Really hot. Being outside in the summer is just not as appealing as it is in MN. There is also very few things to do outdoors here. There are no lakes, no rivers, no bike trails, no beaches, and very little grass. There are pools and tennis courts, but they are often crowded, or if you are the only one there it means that it's too hot and you shouldn't be there!

Driving - People complain about MN drivers not knowing how to merge...at least they know how to drive in general. Here, not so much. 40% of motorists here are uninsured, many don't have drivers licenses, and there are fatal accidents almost every single day. I avoid the main freeway through the city at all costs. If I do end up getting a job I'm scared that I will have to drive on it. It is scary. People speed like nobody's business, the on and off ramps are weird and get really backed up, and I have never seen so many cars on the side of the road at any given hour. Thankfully talking and texting on phones is illegal here, it takes enough concentration just to drive and not get hit. In the past week, I almost got side swiped and my husband almost got t-boned twice.

So those are some of the weird/bad things about living in El Paso. There are some good things too. I love the dry weather, it's so nice to get away from the suffocating humidity. My hair is better, my health is better, and things dry SO FAST. I also love living near the mountains. Seeing the sun hit the mountains as it rises, and the sunset over the mountains is just breathtaking. They are also good for hiking and rock climbing for my husband (when it's not blazing hot). And I have yet to see a rattlesnake so I'm happy about that.

Most of all, the best thing about living here is the people. I have met great people since I have been here and am lucky to have some really good friends. I've also gotten plugged into some good groups and activities. It's very different here culturally and weather-wise, but I'm glad to have the opportunity to experience living somewhere so different. I feel like living here is more of an adjustment than living in France was. But the experience is what you make it, so while some things are irritating/scary/boring, I'll try to make the best of my time here. The most important thing is that I'm with my husband finally and we are enjoying being married and making a life for ourselves!