Old El Paso

What a week. With very little fanfare, and even less lead time, my new employer shipped me out to El Paso for a week of "fun" working on our major project with a certain branch of the Department of Homeland Security that shall remain nameless.


I'm pretty sure DHS would not approve of my taking that picture. Might compromise national security, you know. (Not really, I was tease for taking this picture. Apparently, this spot is not a prime photo op.)

While not my dream vacation, El Paso had its charms. I enjoyed waking up to views like these (taken from the parking lot at the hotel where I stayed):



I also found particular eloquence in El Paso residents' ability to switch from English to Spanish in mid-sentence and back again without pause. The hybrid language is interesting and beautiful to hear (Unfortunately often followed by some redneck racist remark, and thus the moment would be spoiled). My one regret (besides spending 4 days of my life in El Paso, TX) is that I never did get to see where they make the salsa. Maybe next trip.


Psst... those mountains are in Mexico. Kind of cool, huh?