Saturday some of us went into la D.F to wander around. However, everyone we asked couldn't tell us how to get to La Condesa which I think is where we wanted to go (I was just tagging along at this point too tired to care where we were going). So, we ended up getting off at the wrong bus stop and walking around for like 2 hours. Was nice though to see part of the city even if everything was shut!
Don't think I mentioned in the previous post but when I came in to land it was night and all you could see were the lights of the city going on forever. It's HUGE! Also, there were all these random dark patches on the ground that I though were water, but as we descended further realised they were just massive hills everywhere!
Anyways, Sun had a nice lie in, then went to the supermarket to pick up some food. We just buy all the food together and then split the cost, so everyone can eat whatevers in the house. It's nice, as it's much easier considering we don't have much storage space! Speaking of, the landlady here is so nice and helpful. We mentioned that they might want to consider buying another fridge in the future as it's kinda small for 8 people, and the same day she went out and bought one! As well as a few other little things for the kitchen we'd mentioned.
Monday was the first day at Tec (uni) of our orientation week. Was a really long day as we were there from 9-6 having talks / activities. Got to meet the other international students. Would never have guessed before I came but they are literally all french! There are 80 international students here and over 50 are French! Suppose it's good for me to try and remember my A-Level french, but so far all I have really learnt is various ways to swear and rude phrases. Was so tired by the end of the day just wanted to go home and sleep, but the group for international students at Tec (Amikoo) had arranged for all the exchange students to go out to a Tacqueria for dinner. Was like 30mins away so went by bus*. Was such a mexican evening, with all are tacos (which were awesome, apparently there are a whole bunch of different types of tacos, so naturally my plan is to try them all!), a mariachi band throughout the evening, and of course the compulsory tequila shots. I'm not a fan of tequila but I think it might be growing on me (possibly through neccessity and/or repitition).
Tues again was an early start but thankfully a much shorter day! We had to all do a spanish test first thing that morning, in order to place us for spanish classes. Although the colombians / other spanish speakers had to do it too which seemed kinda odd! Anyways, we were done by lunch time so we went in the afternoon to go and buy phones / sim cards. Also got food for a BBQ and whilst there discovered alcohol / wine was on 3 for 2 so naturally had to top-up.
Weds ...... no more tequila ever!!
We went through like 2 litres of tequila, and for someone who doesn't like it, that's an awful lot. Not to mention we polished off most of our beer collection.
Also had to attend another talk at Tec, where we signed an agreement re: student behaviour. 'You know you're in Mexico when your school has random drug tests!'
Thurs / Fri were free days and a chance to change courses if you wanted. Since I have to get everything signed off by exeter I just picked random things and hoped for the best. Most importantly though, made sure I had nothing on fridays.
Fri there was a salsa class in the afternoon for the international students, you may or not know, i can't dance to save my life, but luckily for me, neither could most of the exchange students! We were then supposed to go to a salsa club in the evening, organised by Amikoo. We went for pre-drinks at one of the other student houses for a few hours before all bundling into taxis. See *. Except it was even worse, driver was going so quick and speeding over the bumps. He didn't see one of them and I'm still in shock that the car didn't just break on the spot! Unfortuntely, when we arrived at the club (I was in a taxi with two of the guys from my house - Jakob and Xavier), Jakob had forgotten his ID. So after much unsuccessful pleading, it was back in another taxi for a nauseous 20 min ride back home. There were 2 others who couldnt get in either, so the 5 of us got into one taxi. Went for possibly the dryest, worst tacos i've ever had and for drinks at the other peoples house, when i'd realised i'd left my phone in the taxi. Luckily had a really nice driver who offered to bring it to the house the next day, for a small something of course. But so much more convenient than having to buy un nuevo!
Saturday was a chillout day and then we went shopping in the afternoon to this mahoosive centro comercial, where they had literally every store. Was very expensive though, some shops more than at home!
Sunday we went on an Amikoo trip to La Marquesa which is like 40 mins or so away. Though by time the bus arrived and it drudged its way there took more like two hours. Another example of mexican timing - often it seems everything is just 5 mins away perpetually! We'd gone prepared for a warm day at the park so when we arrived and it was freezing and raining, it wasn't quite what we'd had in mind! The activities on offer for the day were horse riding, paintballing and quad biking. I don't really like horses and the quad biking was just round a small track and looked kinda slow. Everyone was up for paintballing until he said you didnt get any protection or anything. Just a gun and mask?! Eventually, we found out it was in fact possible to rent overalls, which we all opted for. Paintballing here is called 'gotcha'! Which i think is a much better name :)
Anyways, was an interesting experience as everyones masks fogged up as soon as we started so was kinda of point in a general direction and shoot! Turned out as quite a long day and classes started the next day so I sent myself straight to bed when we got back in preperation for my 10 1/2 hours of class on monday! wooo
*Side note, the drivers here are appaling. There are no lanes anywhere and people always look like they're going to crash into each other. Also, there are all these random speed bumps all over the place, and the cars all speed up in between them. The whole terrible driving thing made a whole lot more sense when someone explained to us that they don't have to take a driving test here. You just go and apply for your license!
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