So....

A todos mis amigos y mi familia, voy a regresar este domingo. Es una decisión mía y solamente mía. Tengo un sentimiento que tengo que ir a mi casa pero es complicado... Lo lamento a todos mis nuevos amigos que me voy antes del fin del semestre. Yo sé que es terrible pero es algo que siento que debo hacer.

To all my friends and family, I am going to return this Sunday. It is my decision and only mine. I have a feeling that I have to return home but it is complicated (FYI I forgot how to spell complicated the 1st time typing this).... I am sorry to all my new friends that I am leaving before the end of the semester. I know it is terrible but it's something I feel I must do.

ay yay yay.... maybe I'll update this again when I'm not really tired. maybe. If you do not have access to my Facebook profile, google "monterrey, balacera, ITESM, two students" and find some online articles. I think I've put up a fair amount of info onto this blog, but I know my fb profile has more. Terrible. It truly is. Everything.

People from Monterrey said that 5 years ago, even as of 1 year ago things were no where near this bad. 5 years ago they could go almost anywhere without fear, actually live. Now everyone is constantly worried. It's not so much about being in the wrong part of town, or being cafeful of your surroundings, but more of being in the wrong place at the wrong time. Except those "wrong places" could be extremely extremely dangerous (as in the case of ITESM last Friday morning). It's probably really hard to get out of the way of 6 men with automatic rifles firing continuously in your general direction. Just saying. Now if you were to be caught BETWEEN those 6 trained military agents, and a few ex-military trained Zetas carrying AK-47s, pretty much may you rest in peace.

Once again, I am returning home 7 weeks early based on my feeling alone. It is not the logic and thought of the situation and the pros and cons of it all or what my parents are saying. It is MY feeling. I feel I need to go home, I don't know why, but I have learned to trust my feelings. I only hope it proves okay again this time.

People, please do not lose hope in this country. Mexico is truly a very very beautiful place. The mountains, the rivers, the lakes, the vistas, the people, all of it is amazing. Now the country is falling down because of decisions that were made many many years ago, even decades. I do not understand that history well, all I know is that those decisions made long ago, fueled on by the demand for drugs in the US, have helped to create what exists today. And yes, I am blaming the US for a good amount of this. It is not the government, is the people who consume these drugs, who sell these drugs that I am blaming. If they knew what had to happen for their weed or coke to get to them, they'd be amazed. The amount of bloodshed, the loss of money, the amount of fear created through many countries, 2 continents, and potentially millions of innocent people affected. It's incredible. I do not believe that if the US were to legalize drugs it would help much with this situation. Nor will a 15 foot wall across the entire frontera with Mexico. These people want to move drugs, they'll find ways to do it. If no one wants these drugs, they're done. No more fear, no more bloodshed, no more innocent people caught up in the war to deliver a quick-fix, a temporary escape for everyone that takes these drugs.

The warnings from the US Consulate to NOT go to Mexico are there for a reason, but I do not believe they are giving the reasons behind it. Many parts of Mexico are safer than even the mediocre parts of SE Michigan. Sure there is petty theft, maybe a robbery, but no one wants to kill to get away with it. Much like MI. Hell, you will not see me walking around downtown Flint or Pontiac in the day, let alone at night. Compared to those 2 places, walking around down here doesn't seem too bad. The reason the Consulate is giving these warning is because of the unexpected LARGE events that may happen. Balaceras en Tijuana (gunfights in Tijuana) for example, kinda hard to avoid if you find yourself suddenly near one. Walking around Guanajuato or Los Cabos San Lucas, Cancun, Mérida, Oaxaca, Zacatecas, much less chance of a balacera breaking out. If you want to go to Mexico, GO! Just avoid the larger cities, for now. Travel with people who know the area well, hire professional guides and taxis, but go and visit! You will be amazed at what this country has to offer. Truly truly stunning. Standing atop pyramids, climbing mountains, going thru caves, walking the streets of 400 year old cities, going into mines, drinking wine in outdoor restaurants while enjoying music, waterfalls, rivers, todo.

Please take these words into consideration and even to heart. The news doesn't report everything, they only give the BIG PICTURE of what happened. Don't judge an entire country based on the border and a couple other cities. Thank you.