Empezando...

Today was my first day of school. After 17 years of experiencing this feeling as a student, I was sure it would be a breeze. For the most part it was; I met my supervisor and his superior this morning in the historic district of Mexico City and they drove me to the university. They were both extremely friendly and welcoming which made me feel really comfortable even though at this point I still feel that I don't know the first thing about teaching. Both are such interesting people and I am looking forward to working with them and finally being done with the paperwork associated with relocating to a new country.

My work schedule is da bomb diggity (I plan to teach as much outdated slang that I still happen to use to the students in the 7 conversation clubs that I will be holding each week). My schedule includes working Monday and Wednesday afternoons (2-6pm), and Tuesday and Thursday mornings (9am-1pm). I have FRIDAYS OFF. I don't have an official school calendar yet. However, I do know how Mexico likes to roll and being in an extremely Catholic nation means that there will be LOTS of days off and even longer weekends.

I have been using public transportation a lot in the last few days and just wanted to report on pricing. First, there is no organized Metrocard system or benefit for buying trips in bundles this means that I carry a card for the subway, a card for the metrobus, and lots of change at all times. The train costs 3 pesos/25¢ a ride; the really terrifying peseros cost 4 or 5 pesos / 30-35¢ (depending on the distance you go); and my absolute favorite form of transportation, the Metrobús costs a WHOPPING 5 pesos. To be honest I wish that I could take this everywhere. It is so PRACTICAL. The metrobus comes every 90 seconds pretty much and is immune to the heavy traffic. It is unbelievable that the scarily dangerous peseros cost just as much as one of the most modern transportation methods in the world. Unlike the subway, the metrobus is above ground which is very nice after years and years of riding in the sewers of New York City. For a visual representation of terrifying peseros set to the tune of a modern "La Cucaracha" watch this video on youtube.

My eating habits are adapting slowly to Mexican culture - I am having breakfast as usual, but eating huge, multiple course lunches and having just a snack in the evening. It's hard adjusting to this from a lifestyle of eating every 30 minutes but I think I will survive. I am still spending my days thinking about what my next meal will be like. Food is delicious here but that's not news.

To close, I would like to add a picture (for those who hate reading) of a few of us from the ambassador's reception that I hyped up so much. I snagged it from Whitney, one of the other lovely ladies who will be working here in Mexico City. In case anyone was curious, even in Mexico I am still the shortest person in any group that is not grades K-8. To my credit though, everyone in this photo is an American (except, of course, my really Mexican friend Maddy in the red rebozo).

Miss you girls!

Peace love tortas

¡Por fin!

At last I am in México! In the past two months I failed to write about my anticipation for the big trip because I was too busy hanging out with my friends and last minute packing to think about this blog.  Since my last post, I made two journeys to the Mexican Consulate in New York City and managed to get the appropriate visa for student teaching in Mexico.  If I had a scanner I would post the final product which involves a photo of me looking like a yeti thanks to the blurry photo printer in their offices.  I think that this photo is probably the reason that it took me the longest ever to get through Immigration at Benito Juarez Airport here in the capital (a record 5 minutes!)

Upon my arrival on Monday, I came to my grandma's house to drop my obscenely overweight luggage before meeting the rest of our group at Hotel Emporio on Tuesday afternoon.  It was great to see all the familiar faces I'd met in DC and to meet other grantees working on such interesting research projects.  We had a lot of events and some highlights are: 

• Cocktails at the really cool and artsy Hotel Condesa on their rooftop bar in the middle of rainy season.  Thankfully they had set up canopies before the downpour. 
• Visiting Castillo de Chapultepec and looking at INCREDIBLE murals that I had studied at Colgate (miss you Josh!)

Benito Juarez

Niños Heroes

• Eating at Villa Maria which reminded me a lot of the pub that Leah fell asleep in while we were in Salisbury because of all the funny sayings and posters they had on the walls (here's one from the bathroom). 

I'm too lazy to translate but it's about the different types of men in life.   Just know that the best ones are like coffee, rich, warm, robust and they keep you up all night. 

• Cocktail reception at the U.S. Ambassador's residence (Regan - I represented and only ordered G+T's of course).  I didn't bring a camera to this one because I had my doubts whether it was going to be okay with security so here is a photo of a really fancy invitation instead.

Yesterday the commission that brought us over here took us to San Juan Teotihuacán in Estado de México, just a short road trip away from Mexico City.  Although I've been here SEVERAL times before it is always a treat going with new people and bonding over the impressive ruins.  Here is a photo of the two major pyramids (Sun and Moon) and now dormant volcano in the background.  I added some brightness so the pyramids would show because it was really cloudy all day yesterday.  Still, I managed to get a sunburn proving that I am a lot less Mexican than I had thought. 

After separating from our group and going to our designated meeting point we learned that they had actually left for La Gruta, a restaurant inside a cave, without us.  After a ten minute 2 mile per hour double decker bus ride, we finally arrived.  Getting here brought back lots of memories of previous visits and of sharing stories about this awesome restaurant with Colgate friends.  

 

Anyway peeps, I hope this was interesting and that you will add this little Mexican blog to your bookmarks and read it when you are avoiding work, papers, can't sleep at night, miss me too much, have ready everything on Dlisted already, etc.  Please write me because I will miss you and think of you always.  Exhibit A: shoutout to Katie, this is a huge building at the Metrobus stop closest to my grandma's house!!!

Peace love tacos, 

    Little J