Aug 10, 2009 10:17
So, here's the deal about Mexico.
It's HUGE. Everything in there is huge.
That was came to mind on my first day (night) there, just as my plane landed and I realized the AIRPORT was huge! The biggest I've ever been in, bigger than Madrid's and Atlanta's, and in the last one I had to take the TRAIN to change planes (OK, actually, I *thought* I had to take a train and I ended up going all around the airport when I shouldn't have, but hell, I had time to spare anyway!).
Then I actually got to visit Mexico City and the place is pretty much like Santiago, except TEN time bigger and with more than three times the amount of people! But while the buildings are taller and they have around 10 subways lines running around underground, the people are pretty much the same. I felt at HOME. It may be hard to understand, but I've been in a lot of different places within Latin America (and beyond), and I have loved them all, more or less (Ecuador, Brazil, Argentina and Peru), but in all of them I've been pointed out easily as "Chilean" and "tourist", *outsider*, and in all cases there had been times of miscommunication, because, contrary to what gringos think, latinos are not all the same! our cultures are different, we *speak* differently. And yes, Mexican do speak differently from Chileans too, but not enough for them to not understand me, literally what I'm trying to say and the meaning behind it. Well, at least I think they got it? Only if I ever told them I was from Chile did they treat me as a tourist. Which was a great thing, because they charge a lot more to tourist, and because I kept a low profile every time I was alone, rarely did they charge me more than what was fair (while I saw them do it to other tourist around me pretty often). Except once in a bus, the driver charged me three times the amount, and I didn't complain because I had all my bags with me and I didn't want to wait for the next bus, but then said driver started to make conversation, and then halfway to my trip, he ended up liking me and gave me my money back! Without saying anything! I guess I can be charming when I less expect it? Ha.
The other thing about Mexico? They have WAY to many churches. No, seriously. Going around Puebla I bumped into churches like they were pharmacies at Santiago centro. One in every corner! And all of them huge, of course. And older than... than my country! Beautiful, of course. Specially Cholula's, that was very well placed, in top of a hill and old archaeological remains, with the view of a gorgeous volcano! (sadly, I didn't take any decent pictures of it, but it was such a *pretty* volcano!). I think I filled my quota of church-going with those I visit in Mexico. I can go to heaven now!
I had a great time both with Karla in Mexico City (She's a friend of my dad that gave me a place to sleep and took me to Puebla, Cholula and Teotihuacan while I was there. She also took my out almost all my nights with her, got me drunk enough to dance cumbia with her, and her boyfriend almost got me to go to a Bunkers concert because he's a big fan (Los Bunkers are Chilean, BTW!)) and with Lupe and her family.
I've told her already how thankful I am of her and her family for treating me so well and allowing me to be a part of the family for those few days I spend with them. And yes, I did consider myself a part of the family, I was there for all the gatherings! And, to keep up with the idea, yes, her family is HUGE too! Lots of uncles and aunts and cousins and I only met one half of the family! Still, while I loved visiting all those places with Lupe (Leon, Guanajuato, Queretaro, Valles, Aquismon, Tamasopo and Rioverde) and having my alone time with her and making toasts to pretty much everything we could think of (Us, her family, the rain, Yamapi, Yamapi's drama, Yamapi's ass...), I think I ended up developing a bit of a crush on her family and the moments with all of us eating tacos and quesadillas in SLP XD
With Lupe we managed to talk about a lot of things, not just fandom stuff. I still can't believe we spend a complete afternoon trying to explain to each other how our political systems work. We did managed to watch some dramas and clips in the middle of it all, though. It was fun! I made her a copy of a lot of V6 and Eito stuff to make her a fan, and we watched the first two episodes of Buzzer Beat and the last few of Long Love Letter that we promised to watch *together* after having watch all the other episodes *at the same time* (me here, she there, making comments through MSN). She got to hear me scream "Ikegaki!~" with my own voice and not typed, hahaha.
Mexico is huge. And beautiful. And the people there pretty much ROCK. And I also visit a part of it. I have to go again. I just HAVE to. I own Lupe taking her to the beach. And I have other friends I would have liked to visit. So I'll go again, somehow, someday.
Now, I was planning on having my facebook page inaugurated with the pictures of this trip, but somehow I managed to forget my password and now facebook tells me I don't exist. Figures. I'll upload the pictures in my next post because it has taken a WEEK for me to post only this one so far. My PC is giving me trouble and I'll probably have to re-booted in a few days once I back everything up. Hopefully this virus won't kill my external hard drive. Sigh.
friends,
travels