Now that I’m in Mexico City, and have been since Friday evening, you should know that when talking about the city it is referred to in many ways: I can simply say I live in México, or I can say D.F. (pronounced of course en español Deh Eh-fey), or I can call it La capital (the capital).
I left D.C. before 9:00 a.m. (8:00 a.m. Mexico City time) and had a connection through Dallas (where we sat on the airplane for an hour and a half to wait out the bad weather – I didn’t mind too much since they played a movie I had really wanted to see, Fever Pitch). I arrived in Mexico City around 6:00 and then moved very slowly through the Immigration line, it took almost an HOUR! Next, I picked up my luggage and scrambled to the Customs area. There you have to press a button, if the light turns green you simply pass through and you’re done, if the light turns red then your luggage is inspected. So, I crossed my fingers and saw the light turn GREEN! Finally, I saw a mob of people awaiting their friends and family and saw Mariana (my exchange partner Elisa’s daughter) and her Uncle Toño with a sign that said “Raquel”.
As we made our way to Mariana’s house, where she lives with her mother and grandparents, I already felt at home as I noticed all of the familiar restaurants and stores – Vips, Tocs, Gigante – and some new ones – Walmart, Office Depot, Home Depot. I felt even more at home once I arrived at the house and settled into my room.
