Mexico Mexico Ra Ra Ra

Hola todos desde Mexico! I was looking forward to touching down in Mexico City. Back to the world of ATM's that work, wifi and hot water. Don't get me wrong-I loved Cuba and wasn't really missing those things but my hair was almost in one giant dreadlock and I was worried I had missed some exciting news from home in regards to the impending arrival of Baby D'E! However- I was most excited about seeing the family. And to eat some tacos el pastor. And to maybe see the Luchas. And really a whole heap of things. I was just really very excited in a truly Shugg fashion-which is the same as a four year old on Christmas Eve who has eaten way to many Lollies and has just potentially spied Father Christmas on his sleigh. Or like Augustus Gloop when he first stepped into Willy Wonka's and spied the Chocolate River. That kind of excited.

So-it was with this great excitement that I touched down ready to squeeze the Mexicans who were coming to collect me....except they weren't there.  Small moment of panic ensued but as soon as I turned on my phone there was a message to say traffic was really bad and they will be there soon. So I sat with my bags while all the Mexicans stared at me...so good to be here again! As we left the airport (after some squeezing and screaming) I noticed there were crowds of people, mainly girls, lining the road shouting and waving flags. I gave a few of them a wave feeling a bit self important and said to Marcela that she really didn't need to have bothered organizing such a reception for me to only be told that One Direction had arrived and there was a concert on. Dammit. 

We went out for dinner that night to a wonderful place in a square thronging with people (although with a population the same as Australia I'm pretty sure there is thronging everywhere) and had some tiny fried grasshoppers (Chapulines) on guacamole. Apparently when I go to Oaxaca I can eat the full sized ones and they are delicious....we shall see. There is something about the legs that upsets me.....

Patti and Marcela took me for a wonderful day of sightseeing in Downtown Mexico City on the Sunday. The first ridiculous purchase was made- I'd like to introduce you all to Frederico El Guapatito:

I can pretty much see the rolling of eyes from here! 

We wandered around and checked out the amazing architecture. The Cathedral in the main square was built directly on top of some Aztec pyramids (I'm pretty sure the Aztecs got the message at that point) and there are a number of indigenous people who converge there to perform medical and spiritual dances. I was still coughing like a banshee so we did consider paying the 10 pesos for them to cure me!

I was soon to learn that Mexicans eat lunch here at 3 and then dinner at about 9 and then tacos at 11-1am! So we went off to a famous traditional Mexican restaurant called El Cardinal. We had a dry soup of spaghetti cooked with chipotle (that really confused me-I would just call it spaghetti if there is no soup...), two types of mole, meat cooked in spices wrapped in a banana leaf, and some awesome salsas and desserts. All washed down with the first bit of red wine I'd had in weeks. I got to wear a bib and I managed to smile sweetly enough that the waiter let me slip it into my bag!!! I'm not sure why but an adult sized bib appealed to me, especially as this was embroidered. I might use it next time I eat Dry Spaghetti Soup.

(Dry spaghetti soup-can you see why I was confused?)

Day two in Mexico dawned and I was packaged off to the Dr to sort out my cough. There had been some concern over the verocity of my bark and so Marcela's boyfriend organised for me to see a consultant. He took two hours off work to escort me, translate, take me to the pharmacy and then to the clinic for my jab. Legend. Turns out I just needed a steroid shot and some unidentifiable tablets to sort my asthma out as it was in full overdrive post chest infection. It was expected that I could inject myself but when Bernie saw my face when I took a look at the size of the needle he took me to a clinic where I spent the best 30 pesos of my life on getting a nurse to do it. She thought it was pretty hilarious when I rolled up my sleeve and some hysterical laughing while miming informed me that actually I would have to drop my daks. So shot in bum and two minutes later was ready to go! Result! 

After that I was ready to see Marcela's dad Raul whom I adore-however I'm not sure he was quite ready for the sight of an enormous blonde leaning out of the car window yelling 'Papacito' as we drove past to the car park. Neither were the 15 people standing near him. He recovered and we had a lovely lunch. Followed by some drinks. Followed by tacos at 11pm.

Next stop Oaxaca!!! Home of food and handicrafts (Augustus Gloop just plunged head first into the chocolate river) Woo hoo!!!!