Laredo, Texas

I'm currently in Laredo, Texas. My bachelor thesis was selected to be presented on an academic business conference and here I am. Unfortunately, I needed so much money that I reached the security limit of my credit card, so I'm virtually stuck. Laredo only, no trip to recommended San Antonio as originally planned... But hey, although Laredo is at the border to Mexico and although I see a lot of Mexican influence (in fact, I speak more with Mexicans than with "real" Americans), there are still a lot of new things to see and experience.

"A bit of flowers in the front might make one of the ugliest cities I know so far perhaps look a bit less ugly"... Laredo photoshoot...

These auto-compactors are highly critized in Germany, because people in need cannot collect bottles, anymore...

So, that's the "metro" in Laredo...

Guess what - this building is listed in the official sightseeing tour!

Well, let's Laredo's style just call "once upon a time"-chic.



Empty streets in Laredo...

... because apparently everybody wants to escape to Mexico. I think I got something wrong in America's discussion about immigration ;-)



Now, at least one hotel in Laredo is indeed nice.

In comparison the church... not so much.

New door, old building. Step by step.

 

Stores are closed. Erm - open! Obviously, how could I not see that!

Signs that talk about guns are still strange to see, especially at university...

Texas, where's your sky?

Louvre in Texas?

Entry of foreign Banks in Mexico - my first "lecture" with a Stanford professor. Hopefully I am not supposed to agree with everything he says (because I do not).

Indian dinner... well ok, American stuff, but with erm "Indian influence" ;-)

Ethiopia, Germany, Panama, Mexico. Done!

A guy from Federal Reserve and World Bank who actually lead a team that consulted the People's Bank of China on banking reform. That could become interesting... Didn't know the Chinese asked for American advice :-D

Oh yes, I definitely feel at home in luxury stores.

Erm guys, do you actually know how olives look like?!

Who the heck needs 4 liters of mayo?! And why is it important to emphasize that it's REAL mayo?! Is there also some unreal?! Not sure I trust American food... Ingredient labels here are almost books...

... now, I do understand that buying some 2.3kg of peanut butter does not mean it will last for long ;-)

But then again, who needs emergency food storage?!

And hopefully no consumer will believe that fat free chips are anyhow healthier... Oh, by the way, before American lobbyists managed to get rid of it, products like this one that contain Olestra had to be labelled with "This Product Contains Olestra. Olestra may cause abdominal cramping and loose stools (anal leakage). Olestra inhibits the absorption of some vitamins and other nutrients. Vitamins A, D, E, and K have been added". Bon appétit!

A bit sad - huge department stores, nothing in between. Not even sidewalks. If this is America, I don't need it. Better said: I don't want it.

Now, that's a colorful and balanced menu. Perhaps a slight overload of fresh vegetable, but well...

WHAT IS 99% REAL EGG AND WHY DOES IT COME IN A TETRA PAK???!!!

Probably the skinniest model I've ever seen. Sorry, this is first and foremost not sexy at all, and second, who can actually identify with this skeleton? It's not that I would see too many skinny Americans around here... But prudery seems to make up for the "lack" of skinny people. The employees actually turned around the advertisement when they saw me taking the photo. Oh come on, what did you think I'm going to do?!