As we found out very quickly, most people from El Paso travel by bus - mainly because the El Paso bus system is so reliable! In spite of the fact that today is Memorial Day, we didn't have to wait longer than 20 minutes at any bus stops.
Our first stop took us to downtown El Paso. Laura and I had walked down here yesterday morning, but we didn't really get a chance to investigate. The downtown area is filled with lots of little shops selling clothes, gaudy jewelry and novelty goods - kind of like the Chinatown of Texas. We got on the first bus to head out to Dimple's internship site; the Mental Health and Mental Retardation Institute of Texas and Laura's internship site; the Border Network for Human Rights.
The bus ride to and from the internship sites were some of the more interesting parts. The internships were located in what were primarily residential areas so we got a view of a lot of cool looking houses!
One of the most fun parts was the salsa they brought out to start. It was ridiculously spicy, but we all braved a taste of it! You can watch Laura's face as the spiciness really seeps in - it was really, really hot!
After lunch we headed back to downtown El Paso, where we did some shopping and some touring! I'm coming to find that Dimple and Laura are really awesome to tour and investigate with - their enthusiasm and interest for the area make them great people to travel and live with! So far, we've gotten along really well and have been enjoying cooking, exploring and getting lost together.
Having figured out our bus routes and a general scope for the downtown area, we took another bus back to University of Texas (UTEP) housing - basking in A/C and planning out our dinner menu... internship starts tomorrow!
"La Tierra Cafe," along the bus route.
Dimple and Laura at MHMR, Dimple's internship site.
Laura at her internship site, the Border Network for Human Rights.
Adobe-style houses that lined the bus route.
We decided to take a break for lunch near Laura's internship site, at a Mexican revolution-themed restaurant called "Rincon de Villa." The area that we are staying at has a lot of restaurants, but not a lot of authentic food (shockingly, there are three sushi bars within walking distance of our housing!). This was our first taste of really good, non-Taco Bell, Mexican food since we've landed in El Paso - and it was delicious!
Laura checking out Pancho de Villa.
One of the most fun parts was the salsa they brought out to start. It was ridiculously spicy, but we all braved a taste of it! You can watch Laura's face as the spiciness really seeps in - it was really, really hot!
Examining the chip...
Venturing forward...
"Oh my god, that is hot!"
Having figured out our bus routes and a general scope for the downtown area, we took another bus back to University of Texas (UTEP) housing - basking in A/C and planning out our dinner menu... internship starts tomorrow!
Outside of the restaurant.
The downtown shopping area.
I got excited because I saw a Chihuahua, Mexico license plate!
Dimple outside of one of the stores in downtown El Paso.
Haha this is a great post! I'm glad you all have figured out the workings of the public transportation system and it's nice that you all got to taste southwestern salsa!! If you get a chance, ask for a sopaipilla at a restaurant, they're really good and normally just in southwestern states.
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