What It's Really Like To Grow Up In A Border Town
El Paso, Texas. Also known as Chuco town or "one of the most dangerous cities in the US" due to it being located right next to the city with the most deaths in Mexico. But in reality, El Paso has been one of the safest cities in the US for many years in a row, it is beyond what political figures have decided to label it as.
I've lived in many places but living in one of the biggest border cities in the US has been something beyond anything anyone could ever describe. Something that really stands out about El Paso is the homelike vibe here, and it makes you feel like no matter what happens you will always have a home.
Growing up in a border city comes with being able to be exposed to many different Latino cultures also. Most people here grew up being fluent in both Spanish and English to be able to communicate within ourselves and with others. The culture here is a very tight nit too, people here genuinely care about each other and are very understanding of each other and where they come from.
Most people that do live here have either lived here their whole lives or have grown up here left for a couple of years and have come back with their new families. I personally was born here but had only lived here for two weeks and was able to come back after 10 years. And all these years that I have been here, El Paso has evolved from being a little town to one of the big cities in Texas where more and more artists have started to come to perform.
The craziest part of growing up in El Paso is the fact how much of an affect Mexico has on everybody's life. For instance, you are able to see what Mexico looks like by simply driving through the freeway, and you are able to realize how fortunate you are that you have a nice home above your and be able to have a meal every day. Also, there are bits and pieces of El Paso where it feels like you are right in Mexico especially when you go to the local farmers' markets that they hold ever so often downtown. They sell everything from grandma's extra spicy salsa to the prettiest handmade pots to put plants in.
