Saturday, July 08, 2006
¿Qué Hondas? Report #1 from Mexico City - 8 July 2006
It's hard to believe I was in the US this morning and now, as I type, I'm sitting in my new "home" in the heart of Mexico City! Crazy! But, yes, I'm here now, and the adventure begins. I was very pleased to have an uneventful plane ride over with the slight exception of the outright discrimination that I experienced against tall people. It was unbelievable. I'm not even that tall in comparison to many people. So I cramped into my tiny Mexicana airline window seat only to have the little girl in front of me recline her chair. That was fun. Life truly is harder for tall people! That, and then I got to taco option for my airline meal: big mistake. First, tacos in Mexico City are different from our usual Americanized tacos, and, second, two words: airplane food. Anyhow, as we flew over the city, I did not see the thick cloud of smog about which every tourbook and person warned me. I was also amazed by the number of buildings and structures that are crammed into one space. I thought we were flying over Mexico City when I saw a large number of buildings (and we probably were), but then the "large" number increased at least 3 fold. Lots and lots and lots of buildings, and even more people.
After landing, I sailed smoothly through immigration, got my baggage (of course, the last ones off the plane), and then through customs with no problems. Much to my relief, I had a lovely couple waiting right there for me: Marie and her boyfriend, Juan. A little background: Marie is the French cousin of the mom of a friend (Ross) from school who I met through Pier, and she is working here in Mexico City (just a few blocks from where I'm living as it turns out in this enormous city). Anyhow, Marie and Juan took great care of me, and brought me to my new home, here at Casa del Colibri in the heart of (what I think is) the more international area of Mexico City, although I may have made that up. Casa del Colibri is a little oasis in the middle of this huge city with green plant life and flowers all around. It's very secure, and within its walls I have my own room, bathroom, and kitchen. I already feel quite safe and comfortable, although I haven't ventured out to meet my neighbors yet.
After I got my room, Marie and Juan took me out to get my new cell phone working (the fellow in this possition before me so kindly left me her phone) and then we had a nice lunch, where I ordered acceptable (and quite good!) tacos. Then I returned to unpack and move into my room. That's done, and I'm off to bed quite early tonight.
Aside from me, Mexico City is quite a happening place right now. As many of you may know, Mexico just had a very close presidential election between Calderon of PAN (Fox's successor within the party) and Obrador of PRD (more left leaning). Anyhow, Calderon was declared the winner by some small amount, and now Obrador is demanding a recount, which may not even happen. The long and short of it is that Obrador had called on his supporters to protest in Mexico City today as I was flying in. Good, right? Well, I learned today from my gracious hosts that you have to drive 3 hours to span the whole of the city, so, needless to say, I saw no demonstrations. It is quite exciting to be in Latin America right now. My only hope is that whomever they elect to the presidency maintains a stable economy since half of my salary is in Mexican pesos! I will be sure to keep you updated!
Ok, I'm off to bed. Tomorrow will be a day full of world cup celebrations at Marie's and Juan's home!
After landing, I sailed smoothly through immigration, got my baggage (of course, the last ones off the plane), and then through customs with no problems. Much to my relief, I had a lovely couple waiting right there for me: Marie and her boyfriend, Juan. A little background: Marie is the French cousin of the mom of a friend (Ross) from school who I met through Pier, and she is working here in Mexico City (just a few blocks from where I'm living as it turns out in this enormous city). Anyhow, Marie and Juan took great care of me, and brought me to my new home, here at Casa del Colibri in the heart of (what I think is) the more international area of Mexico City, although I may have made that up. Casa del Colibri is a little oasis in the middle of this huge city with green plant life and flowers all around. It's very secure, and within its walls I have my own room, bathroom, and kitchen. I already feel quite safe and comfortable, although I haven't ventured out to meet my neighbors yet.
After I got my room, Marie and Juan took me out to get my new cell phone working (the fellow in this possition before me so kindly left me her phone) and then we had a nice lunch, where I ordered acceptable (and quite good!) tacos. Then I returned to unpack and move into my room. That's done, and I'm off to bed quite early tonight.
Aside from me, Mexico City is quite a happening place right now. As many of you may know, Mexico just had a very close presidential election between Calderon of PAN (Fox's successor within the party) and Obrador of PRD (more left leaning). Anyhow, Calderon was declared the winner by some small amount, and now Obrador is demanding a recount, which may not even happen. The long and short of it is that Obrador had called on his supporters to protest in Mexico City today as I was flying in. Good, right? Well, I learned today from my gracious hosts that you have to drive 3 hours to span the whole of the city, so, needless to say, I saw no demonstrations. It is quite exciting to be in Latin America right now. My only hope is that whomever they elect to the presidency maintains a stable economy since half of my salary is in Mexican pesos! I will be sure to keep you updated!
Ok, I'm off to bed. Tomorrow will be a day full of world cup celebrations at Marie's and Juan's home!
# posted by Sarah @ 7/08/2006 05:34:00 PM 
