So our first day in Juarez was an adventure! Efrain started the day at 8:30 to wait in line for his medical exam. They don't do reservations so it's "first come first served." Efrain showed up first, which would have been great if he had remembered (or I had reminded him) that he needed his passport. So when he showed up the second time, he was 83rd in line (sigh). They kinda' line them up like cattle and weigh and test them in groups of 5 (untill they have to get naked). So he had his basic exam and x-rays done in one room, his vaccinations done in another, and then another in a separate isolated room. They were asking odd questions much of the time as well, like if he had been arrested, and if he resisted arrest. And when he said no to that, a bit later they asked, "so why did you resist arrest." These were the kind of questions they asked pop and I at the border too when we didn't even have Efrain with us...a backward way of seeing if you are not telling the truth really. So that lasted the poor man from 6 am to 1:30. He was not alowed to eat breakfast either because of the x-rays. So we went to pick him up but had to wait till 2 pm for the results of the tests to come up. While he was waiting in line, again, for picking up the results (that took another hour) he found out that we need another form that the government doesn't ask you for (until the interview and then you have to wait 2 days to 3mo. for them to process it). So we went to one of the companies that has sprung up near by to fill out our documents. So after that, we finally got back at about 3:30 ish. Whereupon Efrain had a much needed cervesa and some food.
On another note, driving in Juarez is like driving in Italy. I swear, I almost have peed my pants a number of times. Red light, green light, who cares?! Speed limit? What's that? So I've had to grow a pair of balls because I do have to drive when Efrain isn't available to. Also, the map has been pretty much useless as it isn't always correct. City planning isn't really a priority here it seems; or they don't know how to do it. Good buildings are mixed with burnt down ones, the modern with the vacant, and the historical aren't exactly clumped together in one district. We will see more today in our adventures looking for the museum!
The first night we were here, we were looking in totally the wrong spot because google maps placed our hotel precisely on the other side of town...the bad part of town. Literally, we got directions to where the hookers were at. Just as we were fleeing the area, the federalies were heading in. We were all just not rolling down the windows. Then, we stopped to find out where the address was at and a mysterious man showed up with a Bluetooth in his ear and was bilengual, and he helped us head to the good part of town. The hotel's nice (Hampton Inn), lots of food and free drinks for the boys in the evenings (they're giving the beer away but you have to pay for water). There's a pool but not heated so at the hotest part of the day it's nice to go in.
About Juarez...what a mix of good and bad. We've heard many stories about group killings and kidnapings but also the people are so nice and well dressed that you know you just have to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. These kidnappings and killings aren't related to drug cartels as we were led to believe, but by groups of punk kids (16-17 years-old). So we are just trying to be as safe as possible and are very happy that Issa is safe with mom.
So as for what we expect to happen on Monday...we hope that they just give Efrain his Resident Visa (aka "Green Card"), which is entirely possible, and that we can come back. Folks are not able to give advise because everyone has had such vastly different experiences. Some have gotten their cards the same day, some have had to wait three months, some have not been allowed back into the States. From what we have seen, those who have a history of spousal abuse, or a felony, or that the official can TELL that the interviewee is not giving the truth than they have been rejected. So, we are telling the truth and none of that applies to us. We have good references, notorized letters and we've brought All of our paperwork that we've done up to this point. It's a whole lot of paper work.
So that's that! I'll keep you all posted on what else happens. Much love.
~The Tax fam and poppa.
On another note, driving in Juarez is like driving in Italy. I swear, I almost have peed my pants a number of times. Red light, green light, who cares?! Speed limit? What's that? So I've had to grow a pair of balls because I do have to drive when Efrain isn't available to. Also, the map has been pretty much useless as it isn't always correct. City planning isn't really a priority here it seems; or they don't know how to do it. Good buildings are mixed with burnt down ones, the modern with the vacant, and the historical aren't exactly clumped together in one district. We will see more today in our adventures looking for the museum!
The first night we were here, we were looking in totally the wrong spot because google maps placed our hotel precisely on the other side of town...the bad part of town. Literally, we got directions to where the hookers were at. Just as we were fleeing the area, the federalies were heading in. We were all just not rolling down the windows. Then, we stopped to find out where the address was at and a mysterious man showed up with a Bluetooth in his ear and was bilengual, and he helped us head to the good part of town. The hotel's nice (Hampton Inn), lots of food and free drinks for the boys in the evenings (they're giving the beer away but you have to pay for water). There's a pool but not heated so at the hotest part of the day it's nice to go in.
About Juarez...what a mix of good and bad. We've heard many stories about group killings and kidnapings but also the people are so nice and well dressed that you know you just have to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. These kidnappings and killings aren't related to drug cartels as we were led to believe, but by groups of punk kids (16-17 years-old). So we are just trying to be as safe as possible and are very happy that Issa is safe with mom.
So as for what we expect to happen on Monday...we hope that they just give Efrain his Resident Visa (aka "Green Card"), which is entirely possible, and that we can come back. Folks are not able to give advise because everyone has had such vastly different experiences. Some have gotten their cards the same day, some have had to wait three months, some have not been allowed back into the States. From what we have seen, those who have a history of spousal abuse, or a felony, or that the official can TELL that the interviewee is not giving the truth than they have been rejected. So, we are telling the truth and none of that applies to us. We have good references, notorized letters and we've brought All of our paperwork that we've done up to this point. It's a whole lot of paper work.
So that's that! I'll keep you all posted on what else happens. Much love.
~The Tax fam and poppa.
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