The Mexican City I Know: Ciudad Juárez

Before my trip, friends repeatedly warned me about this "city of crime" 🚨 with Mexico's highest crime rates. With no direct flights available and an urgent client meeting, I had to take a connecting route: Monterrey → Chihuahua → Juárez. Arriving at Chihuahua airport late at night 🕛, I took an Uber to the central bus station and boarded a 1 AM bus. The 5-hour ride north was uneasy, with two border police checks 👮♂️. Upon arrival, the bus station's wanted posters and missing person notices created an eerie atmosphere. My client's factory was in Juárez's southern industrial zone (home to Taiwanese companies like F, P, W). As dawn broke 🌅, the streets filled with commuters who greeted each other warmly. My broken Mexican Spanish surprisingly helped me blend in quickly. To lighten the mood, I joked with colleagues about rating local women's beauty - Juárez girls definitely rank top 3 in Mexico (after Guadalajara)! They carry a natural charm unlike Monterrey's heavy makeup or Cancún's posed glamour. For safety, I stayed near the U.S. Consulate 🏢. On October 1st (a shared holiday for China and Mexico), I woke to celebrate Claudia's historic election as Mexico's first female president 🇲🇽. The nearby park offered respite - ducks swimming, boats paddling, pigeons resting - a world away from work stress. Lunch was an adventurous fail: I randomly ordered sopes from a park stall 🥘, struggled through a third of it, and "filled up" with Coke. Pro food tip: stick to tacos or burgers here! Safety verdict? Juárez is manageable: ✔️ Avoid centro at night ✔️ Steer clear of border bridge areas ✔️ Watch for petty theft As they say: "If you're not looking for trouble, you won't find it." #Mexico #ExpatLife #CiudadJuarez #WorkTravel #SafetyFirst #LatinAmerica