It has taken me some time but I am finally pleased to announce that in 2 days I will be starting my first press trip ever! This opportunity is a result of my visit to Puerto Vallarta’s Tourism Fair a couple of months ago, through which I met the tourism board of Chihuahua (Mexico’s biggest state), and after some planning and discussions I will be traveling across the state (about the size of Spain) for a week. Once this was confirmed I contacted El Paso’s Visitor’s Bureau and my trip has extended another three days to visit this border town.
What will I be visiting?
The trip will begin with a three day stay in El Paso, Texas. I’ll be soaking in some Texan charm whilst learning about Tex-Mex culture and food, enjoying some of the famous local outdoor festivals and visiting the attractions in the area. Next, I’ll be crossing the border to visit one of the most dangerous cities in the world, Ciudad Juarez. Only two years ago this was THE most dangerous cities in the world, with more violent deaths than Baghdad or Kabul, but apparently things have changed and I’ll be checking where it sits today and what there is to do. I will then head South, stopping at Samalayuca desert, visiting the ancient adobe village of Paquime that today is in ruins and continuing South to the state capital Chihuaha with a few more stops along the way. I will then head west towards Mexico’s most famous gorge, Coper Canyon, where I will trek and zip-line across valleys ( despite my dislike for heights)and will meet with the elusive Tarahumaras, an indigenous group that lives in the mountains with whom I’ll spend a night to learn how they live if only for a day. I will be witnessing the 100 km mountain ultramarathon (which the Tarahumaras have still to loose) and then continue to Creel where I’ll be visiting spectacular lakes and trekking across dense forests.
How much of a trekker are you? Have you visited this part of Mexico? What about El Paso? Have you done a press trip before? Please share your thoughts with us in the comments section below, and this post too if you liked it!
[Photo credit @ Flickr Chiva Congelado]
To all our new friends followers……if you want ot know anything about El Paso and the Soutwest, let me know.
Bernie
Amen, Bernie. I seriously doubt anybody knows more about El Paso and the SW than Bernie. If you visit the area make sure you reach him via the city’s historical council or El Paso’s visitors bureau.
El Paso has always been one of my most favorite places to visit! It’s so lush with greenery and is absolutely stunning. There’s just this nice little charm about being in the middle of the Tex-Mex culture, it’s so rich and amazing. Your trip sure as hell sounds nothing less than brilliantly adventurous. What a great way to learn new things! And yes, I’m most definitely looking forward to a post about your trip to Ciudad Juarez. Hope your journey is highly eventful!
It was indeed Cary, learned lots of things I’ll be sharing soon…
Chihuaha & Coper Canyon are two worthy places that are on my hot list too! Heard it is an exclusive place to actually make the presence of soothing climate as well as excellent atmosphere too! It is so nice to see such things happening in short span of time! Here I come Mexico!
El Paso is one of my favorite destinations! I love to visit it many times! I have visited twice already & had thrilling fun with my family there! It is such a lovely place to roam around, enjoy the lush green beauty & lovely climate there! Thumbs up!
Chihuahua is where my elder sister was born. I always loved the environment out there which makes the things so amazing in detailed! I just loved the scenery & environment which makes the place worth watching!
Without a doubt the Franklin mountains are one of the best attractions in the area.
Finally I come across some exciting post, it sounds so adventurous. I am sure you are going to enjoy this one. I have never been to mexico and the names you mentioned in your post, never heard them. But now that I have read your post, I will surely pay a visit, all thanks to you.
Have fun on your trip to El Paso. It looks like you gonna have a lot of fun. Will be checking from time to time to see your experience there.
Well, I have already visited the place & that makes me even more adorable to see such superb scenery in & around which makes the things so superb to visit upon!
I’ve been wanting to go through Copper Canyon SO BADLY for years. Hopefully things will settle down a little more and I can show Shaun where my family is really from.
I’ll be there in about a week, will let you know how good it is to make sure you go as soon as you can!
I would definitely be up for the trekking (as long as there was no camping involved) and lots and lots of good Tex-Mex food.
Guess what Stephanie: I was supposed to do the trek today but 20 minutes into it we had to turn around because it started to poor. By the time we reached the car we were soaked, and the most remarkable thing is that it’s been the first day it rains in El Paso in the past year. Ha!
I’m really interested to hear what you think about El Paso! I’ve lived in Texas my whole life, but I’ve never been to El Paso or even that part of the state (Texas is freaking HUGE). I’ve heard mixed things, though the culture is definitely supposed to be interesting since it’s right next to Mexico. Have fun, and I look forward to reading about it!
Hey, it should be interesting. I was thinking for example about trekking to a Christ there’s on a mountain and El Paso’s Visitors’ Bureau has already suggested I don’t because of safety issues- so much for being so close to what used to be one of the most dangerous cities in the world!
How exciting! I don’t know anything about El Paso, so I’m excited to read about your trip.
Know what? Me either, and I look forward to it too. 🙂