still more on mexico
One of the most frustrating things for me here is that I can't do even basic stuff without a language barrier.
At dinner last night, I had to get one of my co-workers to help me answer questions about my order - flour or corn tortillas? how would you like your steak cooked?
And today, I'm changing my hotel and rental car reservations....I know the hotel will be no problem, as the front desk staff have impeccible English, while the bellmen and restaurant staff have passible English. I gave up on the rental car, and asked one of the Ford of Mexico engineers here to call for me...for her, a 3 minute conversation, after I gave up after 10 minutes of trying to get my situation across to the clerk on the phone.
When I got lost Monday night, it was a good thing I was close to the hotel, because I couldn't actually understand anything that was said other than the pointing and "four or five stops."
I've mostly eaten at the hotel for this reason - or gone out with a group of people, most of whom are resident here and have at least a passing familiarity with Spanish.
At dinner last night, I had to get one of my co-workers to help me answer questions about my order - flour or corn tortillas? how would you like your steak cooked?
And today, I'm changing my hotel and rental car reservations....I know the hotel will be no problem, as the front desk staff have impeccible English, while the bellmen and restaurant staff have passible English. I gave up on the rental car, and asked one of the Ford of Mexico engineers here to call for me...for her, a 3 minute conversation, after I gave up after 10 minutes of trying to get my situation across to the clerk on the phone.
When I got lost Monday night, it was a good thing I was close to the hotel, because I couldn't actually understand anything that was said other than the pointing and "four or five stops."
I've mostly eaten at the hotel for this reason - or gone out with a group of people, most of whom are resident here and have at least a passing familiarity with Spanish.