El Paso, Texas: Cactus Dreams and Questionable Margaritas
okay, so. el paso. i didn’t really plan to be here. touring with the band, you know? one minute we’re in phoenix, the next we’re staring at a mountain range that looks like it’s been sculpted by a very tired giant.
I just checked and it’s…a sort of hazy sunshine thing right now. Like someone spilled a lukewarm cup of tea over the sky. The temperature’s hovering around thirty-three, feels like thirty-two. Not exactly beach weather, but not freezing either. I’m wearing three layers, just in case.
Honestly, the vibe here is…unexpected. I was expecting dusty, barren. It is dusty, but there’s also this incredible resilience. Like the cacti are laughing at the desert, saying, “try me.” I spent a good hour just staring at a *saguaro - seriously, those things are majestic.
I wandered around downtown, which is…a work in progress. Some really cool murals, though. Definitely check out the Mission Valley area. It’s got a lot of character. I found this little coffee shop, “Cafecito,” and the barista, a guy named Miguel, gave me the best iced latte. He also told me, completely deadpan, “Don’t trust the street tacos after midnight. Just…don’t.”
“Heard a rumor from a guy at the bar last night - apparently, the best carne asada is at a place called ‘El Control.’ But you gotta know someone to get in. It’s like a secret society of meat lovers.”
Speaking of food, I’m on a mission to find the perfect chile relleno. It’s a serious quest. I’ve been consulting Yelp - https://www.yelp.com/search?find_desc=chile+relleno&find_loc=El+Paso,+TX - but the reviews are all so…passionate. Like people have strong feelings about their chile rellenos.
Someone told me that the Franklin Mountains are amazing for hiking, but it’s a bit of a trek. If you get bored, Las Cruces and Juárez are just a short drive away. I’m thinking of popping over to Juárez tomorrow, just to see what’s what. Always good to stretch the legs, you know?
I’m staying in this weird little motel near Utepro Park. It’s…retro. Like, aggressively retro. Think orange shag carpet and avocado-green appliances. But the bed is surprisingly comfortable. Plus, it’s cheap. Which is important when you’re living on a drummer’s salary.
“A drunk guy at the bar said, ‘Don’t go near the old Asarco smelter*. Bad vibes. Real bad vibes.’ I’m not sure what to believe, but I’m definitely avoiding it.”
I’m trying to find some vintage shops. I’m always on the lookout for a good band tee or a weird Hawaiian shirt. I saw a listing on a local board - https://www.elpasoevents.com/ - that mentioned a flea market this weekend. Fingers crossed!
I also stumbled across this TripAdvisor page https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attractions-g47054-Activities-El_Paso_Texas.html and it looks like there's a lot to do.
Honestly, El Paso is…growing on me. It’s not flashy, it’s not perfect, but it’s got a certain grit and charm. And the sunsets? Forget about it. Absolutely stunning. I’m also checking out some local music venues - https://www.elpasoinc.com/things-to-do/live-music/ - to see if there’s anything good happening while I’m here.
Okay, gotta go. My bandmates are yelling at me to come practice. Wish me luck. And if you’re ever in El Paso, say hi! Just…avoid the street tacos after midnight.
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