Xochimilco

Hola chicos!

The weekend is over, an I am getting ready for another hard “studyfull” week again! haha

Well, Friday night I went with a group f exchange students and Mario to a club called Bulldog, first we had some dinner and “pregame” at H26, like always J

Bulldog is a really cool place, beautiful building, though the music was not really my thing, like a mix f everything. We went there by taxi and there was a HUGE queue, though Mario knew someone and surrounded by 5 foreign girls, we could enter directly :p we did not have to pay anything for “open bar”, so we had free drinks all night without paying 1 peso. Was a cool cheap night, but we went back home early to be fit for the “Trajineras” the next day.

We went to the trajineras with a group of about 45 people, all in cars, it was about 1 hour drive from ITAM, the meeting point. We got there and had a delicious Mexican lunch, “enchiladas de pollo” and then went on the trajineras, we took 3 as we were a big group. Basically it’s all about getting druk and having fun on those typical Mexican boats (see video). But I did not drink any tequila because I wanted to be super in form to dance at night as we were going to see Paul Kalkbrenner, a world famous german dj. In fact, he was super mega good and the club was gorgeous, we danced until 5am. The club had a few bad things, it was too hot, which is not acceptable if you pay 250pesos entry and the drinks were not cheap either and the beer and water finished at about 3am! Bienvenidos a Mexico jejej

In between the Trajineras and the club we all went home to get changed, but I did not because it was raining tremendously, I’ve never seen anything like that, it was like a shower and the streets were not functional on some places due to floods! To reach my house after parking the car need to walk about 400m because it’s in a sort of park and as we had no umbrella (it would not hold anyway) I could not go home and so Marta lend me a top and shoes J. And after a quick dinner of some tacos we went to the club.

Today, after sleeping until late I went to a bbq with Marta at her buddy’s house in Coyoacán. It was very nice, meat and quesadillas on the bbq with beans and cactus mmmm there were mainly Mexicans but also some other exchange students. As the boys started playing drinking games Marta and me went home, we’ve ahs enough alcool and just wanted to sleep.

So, buenas noches y hasta mañana!

Weekend!

Today I did two things I really wanted to do: I went in a VW beetle taxi “vocho” and went to Coyoacan, the hippie neighborhood of MC.

Another school week has passed, had done my 1^st exams and presentation. One of the exams was ok, but the there, no comments, and the presentation went quite well although I was more nervous than I usually am with public speaking.

Thursday I had my first ITAM party, it was by the Economic Department, so it was a great success hehehe it ws a beautiful old Mexican style building and it was totally packed. I costes 75pesos (4,50€) and was open bar, so drink whatever you want, though not the greatest quality drinks. First there were some ITAM bands playin and somo Mariachi screeming contests lol and then just some house music. The party finished at about 2AM so we still went for some dink at one of the students houses.

Today I went to Coyoacan, as I said (forgot my camera, but I’ll surely go there again!). I met with Marta at a certain metro station to go there by metro, but apparently the metro line we wanted to take is still under construction, very interesting is that is already on the metro map!!! So, we got a taxi. At Coyoacan we met Roberto, a friend from uni, and we wandered a bit around and went to the market. It’s a hippy neighborhood, very cozy and a very nice and relaxed atmosphere. At the market you can buy anything, beautiful jewelry, Mexican handicraft, clothes, bags, belts and piercings. You can even get a pierced there! I’m thinking about doing another one in my ear, on the upper part. It would cost me 50pesos (3€) with the piercing inclusive!! Crazy! I asked the guy to finally put al my earrings back in that I had to take out for the stupid visa picture and Marta also bought a new piercing, the hygiene conditions actually seemed very good and modern. Then we went for some lunch, pizza, and went to classes. On Fridays I only have one class, Int. Economics.

Now I’m resting a bit because I think tonight I’m going out again, my roomies invited me and also the international students are going to a party.

Tomorrow I’m going to the “Trajineras”, Mexican decorated boats, on which people have a drink and a chat. We’re meeting at uni and apparently there is a real big group of Mexican and international students going J At night we’re going to a concert of Paul Kalkbrenner, a world famous German electro DJ. Yeaaaah!

I'm falling a sleep, hasta luego, wey!

Back to reality

Wow! After a great party/beach weekend in Acapulco, I'm back to reality at ITAM, Mexico City.

Acapulco:

Friday morning we gathered, 12 girls from all over the world and 3 Mexican guys, guides and driver, to head to Acapulco, about a 5 hour drive. Went in a too small van, for 15 people, and the trip was not so pleasant, though, as soon as we arrived, we completely forgot about that. Our apartment was great, a stunning view, swimming pools, palm trees, mango trees, coconuts, and warm weather - Paradise.

We were welcomed with a cold Corona and a dive. We stayed at the pool for the whole afternoon and then went out for some dinner at "Tacos & Beer", and for a dance at one of the many beach bars located on Acapulco's main avenue. Acapulco is like the "Lloret del Mar" of Latin America and so it's quite touristic and the Americans go there for Spring Break to get drunk. The party was quite fun even though I'm not so fond of commercial house. Our private driver brought us home safely and we went for a rest.

The next morning we were woken up for breakfast: scrambled eggs, papaya, mango and melon with sea view, "me gusta"! Then we left to go to the beach, we went to Princess Beach, which is very nice. First time I swam in the warm and wavy Pacific Ocean :) The sand was kind of dark but there were many palm trees, it was very tropical. Though, we could not rest for a minute, there were ladies offering massages, bracelets and other handcraft and even horse rides. So, me and Julia went for a ride along the beach. The Mexican horses are very small and skinny, though not too thin. It was nice, very calm and the special Mexican saddles are so comfy that is was no problem riding a horse in my summer dress! haha After the beach we went home for some lunch (5pm = hungry!) and our cooks had prepared some "pescado empanizado", delicious. Before leaving for dinner and party we had a nap and went to see the "clavadistas". They are guys who jump of the cliffs as a spectacular show. It was fun to see, it was already dark, which gave a nice effect, besides, it was raining (warm rain). Then it was finally time for "Paladium" which is one of the most known discos of Latin America. Well, it was impressive, life acts, panoramic view of the whole bay, open bar for 20euros and great music. Hence, we danced a lot and had a great time :) The next day everybody was hangover and after the yummy breakfast we headed back to the Capital.

Now I'm in the computer room of ITAM, but I gotta go coz I'm having Spanish class at 15.30.

Anyway, this week is quite heavy; I've got an oral presentation about "Why not invest in Mexico", 2 quizzes and a lot of readings to do.

So, I'm off. Hasta luego!

PS. many more pics on FB, also of the "Arctic Bar".

Weekend Acapulco

Hey peeps, happy friday!

It's not friday here yes though.

Yesterday I had classes until 22.00 and Timi and Stephanie convinced me to go out for a bit, I could not say no this time, even-though I was wearing casual clothes, no makeup, had no money on me and had my schoolbag with books with me. We were starving so we had something to eat at "Arbolitos", on the street, near uni, delicious quesadillas and tacos and Corona, of course. Then we were picked up by Rafa (the guy who's organizing the trip to Acapulco this weekend, he's also from ITAM) and went to "Condesa", a sort of equivalent to Bairro Alto in Lisbon. We went to a pub where it was ladies night and all drinks for girls were 15pesos, like 1euro, so we had some Margharitas and tequilas. Rafa and his friends wanted to take us to another place and so we got into one of those ice bars, like the ones you see on TV, where everything is made out of ice, chairs, statues, tables and even the shot glasses :) We had to wear special huge coats and gloves, it was real "cool" and we took lots of pics (but Steph has got them...). Outside the "iceroom" a band was playing, we danced for a bit and it was "muy buena onda", they played like "Sublimeish" music. After we still went to A.M., the club where I had already been b4. Once again the music was really good and we danced a lot, a sort of minimal electro. It was like one of the best night I had here until now, and under those conditions! It was not expected at all, but real fun! We went back by taxi, had a few hours sleep and woke up at 7.30 to go to classes. I can't believe it but I survived 4 lectures without falling a sleep in the too comfortable ITAM chairs.

Well, now I'm going to sleep because tomorrow early in the morning, I'm going to Acapulco. Acapulco is a very touristic party place on the west coast (about 4 hour drive), so it's Pacific Ocean, it's ment to be a sort of paradise with great weather, nice beaches and me and 10 other exchange girls are staying in 2 villas with pools and private beach, so let's see! :D I'll only come back on sunday night, so I won't speak to yas until then.

So, que tengan un buen fin de semana, chavos!

Vos extraño!

A new week

Hola muchachos, qué tal?

Can't believe I've already started my 2nd week of classes!

Sunday was great, I went to the city center with Iván and Joshe, my roomies, and Marta and Timi. First we went to the Bellas Artes museum, it was very nice, a beautiful building and we saw paintings of Diego Rivera among other mexican artists. Did not take any pics coz I had to pay for that. Then we went to the market, where we ate some fresh mango and "nieves" homemade icecream. It was very nice wandering around there and the weather was great. After, we went into the Torre LatinoAmerica, were you may go untill it's top (44floors) to appreciate the stunning view of the endless Mexican Capital. For luch we went to a restaurant named Girasoles, located on the square of "Caballito", a famous horse statue. Iván had told me about this place before so I already knew what I was gonna have: chille en nogada, it is like filled chille with a delicious kind of sweet sause. I really enjoyed the meal, very special tastes, and it's has the colors of the Mexican flag, not to forget! :p It was a very nice day, but after luch we went home because, as almost always, it started to rain...

On mondays, I only have one class, from 8.30 to 10.00, Econ Int, so after I spent some time studying in the library (yes, I have to start studying, apparently ITAM is VERY demanding!) and had a nice lunch with some friend on the uni terrace :)

Today I also had classes from 8.30, thus I woke up at 7.30, so after catching the bus and buying a coffee I'm in time. Had classes untill 13.00, time at which the salsa class starts, it was great, like always, and I really enjoy seeing that we (foreigners) are progressing! The last 15 min of the class were like non stop dancing in a circle in which like every 3 min you change partner ("cambia pareja"), it's so cool!!! :D And i just love the salsa music! After the salsa had some luch and finished the day with the most boring class ever: Spanish.

On my way home, by bus, I almost had a hart-attack: to get into the bus there were quite a few people so it took a while and thus a truck behind the bus had to wait a bit. But, apparently the truck was in a hurry and started stressing and horning. The bus started going almost before I was actually in the bus, but anyway, the truck continued horning and the bus-driver was going nuts and drove very fast. When we reached a traffic jam, both, the bus and truck had to wait. Someone got out of the truck yelling at the bus driver and I really thought this mad guy was gonna get into the bus and hit the driver and eventually do something to me, as I was sitting behind him! Luckily, it ended up to be only yelling and I safely got home. Iván told me this "traffic stress" is quite common, so I guess I'll have to get use to it!

Anyway, I'm going to sleep, am verrrrrry tired and tomorrow gotta be at uni at 8.30 again.

Take care!

Besito

Jungle Time!

Today we had a trip to Tepoztlán, “a magical town full of mysticism and tradition, is located 21 km East of Cuernavaca, the state capital of Morelos, and 71 km South of Mexico City. It lies along the foothills of the Sierra del Chichinautzin”. We went by bus and then climbed the Tepozteco Hill, and after crossing several cute calles of the village, where many thing as fruit are sold on the street, we had a hike of about one hour (2km) through a beautiful “jungle” until we reached the top where there is a Pre-Hispanic construction, a sort old pyramid. It is said that this site has a positive energy force, but I think it is just to the stunning nature and the incredible hike until the top of the mountain. It was great, but also quite heavy and everybody was sweating. When we got down again, we had a very nice Mexican style lunch in a very pretty “Frida Kahlo like” patio. Then we still had some time for shopping at the Mercado and did not leave the village before eating it’s famous ice cream. In fact is was great and the “heladeria” is really cute, of course my fav flavor is coconut!

For tonight Ivan has invited me to a bday party of a friend and just received another message for a party, but I guess I’m just going to bed and take a rest. Karen also called me for a party, but I'm a good girl and going to bed because I'm gonna wake up early! This morning I woke up at 6h30, well actually at 4h00 because Joshe, my other roomie, decided to do an afterparty in my apartment!!! So, they put on some music and drank some beers, while Ivan and I were sleeping, I hope this is not a Mexican tradition.

Well, see ya guys later! Tomorrow I’m going to Centro Histórico, Joshe and Ivan are taking me :) x Bo

1st week of Mexico

21:30, aug. 13th

So, here I am again, laying in my bed, and finally arranged some time to rest and write, but now got no Internet!

The other day I went grocery shopping, there’s a huge supermarket on the other side of the Periferico, so I walked there, Ivan came with me. Everything in the shop is big, milk in 3 or 3 liter packages, huge cornflakes packages, sodas, and so on, it must be the American influence. Even the shop itself is huge, its sells from TVs to toothpaste, from beds to socks and fresh fish. I was walking through the shop with a smile on my face, so many things I did not know and Ivan had to explain me. It was quite funny. Many tropical unknown fruits that I wanted to buy all, coconut sweets, many spices and different sort of chilies. A big adventure. Lol After the shopping I cooked some dinner for me and Ivan, a recipe of my mama! J

Classes have been great, all teachers are nice and I really enjoy their international background. Though, I’m considering to drop Market Investigation because its timetable is horrible, only once a week from 19h to 22h, so that’s quite tough and hard to concentrate after starting the day at 8h, besides I’ve already done a similar course in Lisbon, Analise de Dados. But we’ll see one more week. I have to buy books for almost all subjects, similar to the ones we use in Portugal, i.e. for International Economics the book is by Krugman. The big difference to Portugal is the price, this hard cover book cost me 33euros!

Can’t believe I’ve already finished one week of classes! I even have many things to read and other HW. For Spanish class I need to do a 15min presentation about Portugal and Lisbon, any suggestions?

On Wednesday, I went to have dinner at Hidalgo, the exchange students’ house, and Ana, the Italian girl made some nice pasta for a group of about 15 people, was very cozy. Though, I went home early because classes start at 8h30, except on Friday, when I only have 1 class as 16h.

Roberto, a Mexican guy who helped me with some things b4 coming here via FB, invited me and my friends to go to Mama Rumba, a Salsa club on Thursday night. Of course we accepted it! He picked me up at home as it was raining and already dark, in his band new fashion red Honda Civic (I keep on being surprised by these “nice” cars…), and went to Hidalgo and then we went with a group of about 20 to the club. It was as if a entered a film about Latin America: a great Cuban/Mexican salsa band and almost everybody was dancing, and how! Wow, it was so cool! Guys just grab you for a dance even if you don’t know them if you don’t know how to dance, they lead you and it seems like you dance quite well hahhahaha I really enjoyed and danced a lot! After we went to another club, just perfect minimal electro sound to continue dancing until I drop. The guys who took us bought a bottle (yes, a whole bottle, and that’s normal here if you have some money) of tequila and some soda, so we were fine for the whole night.

Today I went to take the pictures for the visa (actually, after the whole stress, we do need them!), had a great lunch for 30mxn with Martha and then had a class. We walked from Rvolución to ITAM, it’s a beautiful walk as it’s quite a rich neighbourhood. I’m gonna make some pictures one of these days to show ya guys, houses in all colors and a lot of trees and little shops and café/restaurants. Tonight there’s a exchange student party, but guess what: I’m not going! I am exhausted and want to be in a good condition for tomorrow’s trip, organized by ITAM to the Pyramid of Tepoztlán, which is on top of a hill that we’re gonna hike. Pictures soon! ;) Buenas noches, extranjeros de mi corazón!

ITAM

21.00, 10 Aug, no internet

A4 is not A4, it’s wider!

STOP is ALTO

There is no transport pass; you have to pay each ride apart

“Olá2 ice-cream is called “Holanda”, don’t ask me why, and they have all kind of tropical ice-cream that don’t exist in Portugal, nor Holland J yummie

Today I came home and my room was cleaned and tidy, gracias, señora de limpeza!

Alcoholic drinks, even beer, have a warning, like on cigarettes in Europe, saying that large quantities can be bad for our health!

At ITAM some guys wear suits and many girls wear super high heels!

I’ve got lots of squirrels in my “garden”, they’re so cute!

Tomorrow 1^st salsa class at ITAM!

Today had my 1^st class: Economía Internacional. Seems interesting and the professor (the rector) is very kind and speaks a very clear Spanish. I am taking this course with Marta from Bocconi (Milano). I am the only blond in a class of about 50 students. The classroom is very comfi with great chairs, almost couches J The professor uses the blackboard and PP slides, and, like in Portugal, evaluation is 40% midterm and 60% final exam. Grades go until 10 and you pass if you get 6 or more. Tomorrow I’m going to buy the book, it’s from Krugman.

The other courses I’m taking are Español de Inmersion, Investigacion de Mercados, Politica de las relaciones economicas internacionales, Internacional Management and Desarollo de habilidades gerenciales. So, 6 in total, but usually students take 4 courses per semester, so I can cancel 2 if I don’t like them or if it’s too much. But I also have to be careful to do enough ECTS, as here 1 course is only 6 and in Portugal 7,5 ECTS.

Today I had lunch with a group of about 15 students from mexico and elsewhere on the other side of the road at ITAM. Was very nice, soup, chicken breast, rice, a drink and a tiny desert for 45$ J Gotta go there more often! The Mexicans drink almost more soda than regular water, as it’s cheaper. But they also drink special “aguas”, I love them so much, it’s like water with some fruit like melon or water melon or a special flower in the blender. A great taste and it’s healthy!

In Portugal I have been to the Embajada de Mexico several times to arrange my visa, but apparently the process is not complete yet. I gotta get a proof of address, pay 900$, and get some more photo’s. I went to the photo shop with some friends to arrange it, but we had to take al piercings, earrings, necklaces and everything of and put our hair out of our face with about 10 clips. But… I got 9 small earrings is my ears that I have used for more than 6 years, so they are very stuck. 3 of them, I could not take out, not even with half an hour help of my friends. So, no picture. I wanted to go to a piercing shop for some help but then I remembered that there’s a fulltime free doctor at ITAM, and he was the one who had to brake my earrings with two pincers, so tomorrow I can go to the photo shop again! lol

1st impressions

Buenas noches, qué tal? OK, let's start with friday. Ivan came with me to ITAM to show me how to get there. I cross the Periferico and catch bus, it costs 4,5 pesos, about 0,30€, and it takes 5 min to get of and walk to uni, another 5 min. So, that's fine :) Got at ITAM, had something to eat (carrots, cucumber and some other unknown vegetable with some lime and chile), info session, about 50 exchange students from all continents but Africa, was nice. Got a tour around ITAM, it's beautiful, with a very rich mexican architecture, but very big, so tomorrow I'll definitely get lost!

Then I had some fresh grapefruit juice in front of uni with some other exchange students and we decided to go out for dinner and to a club. So, we had some great mexican food, somewhere on the street in a sort of kisoskish restaurant. (when i told Ivan I had dinner there he almost got mad at me and said that the next day I could probably not get up because of my stomach, but I feel fine! Maybe due to the antibacterial effect of tequila!) After dinner we went with some mexicans to a club, it was a crazy taxi ride, but it was worth it: a great club, a little alternative but chic style and great music :) Mexican chicos in shirts and muchachas on high heals and short dresses!

Saturday I went with a group of 6 gingos and 1 mexican, Fernando, to the city center (check the video), it was amazing, I really felt the mexican spirit. Colorful beautiful buildings, music everywhere, chaos, just great. I loved it, we wandered a bit around, went into the cathedral and had some "gringas a pastor", yummie! At night we got some bottles of tequila and grapefruit soda and made some "Paloma" cocktails at home before we went to a party at angel's house. Angel is in my buddy team and is really into the international scene, so he organized a party at his. about 50 people, mainly foreigners and also some mexicans ina mexican house with a lot of tequila and music. It was great fun, danced and laughed a lot. Tequila here is "lighter" than the one we drink in Europe, I like it more. So, I had 6! Of course I was little tipsy, but don't worry, I behaved and did not do thing I would not have done if I were sober! haahaha the international spirit is great, I've been hanging out with Karen (te girl from the plain), Ayumi (Japan), Uli (Stockholm), Ana (Milano), Fabian (St. Gallen, but german), Antoin (Lyon) and many more. There are no students from Portugal besides me, but there are 2 dutch girls (me and Stephanie were the ones who turned out the light at Angel's party :)), and 2 German guys who study in Rotterdam.

Well, I'm going to sleep, have classes tomorrow at 8h30. I will post some pictures later, or check my FB.

Xau!

First post from Mexico :)

London, 12:30, 04.08.2010

And here I am, sitting in front of gate B37 of Heathrow London Airport, with my laptop on my lap (did not manage to connect to the internet, so am writing on Word) and a gorgeous baguette. London is expensive haha had 1 baguette, 1 smoothie and some water for lunch, almost 10€! It’s raining, makes me think of the typical Dutch weather. Had a perfect flight, about 2 hours.

Yesterday morning woke up around 10.00 for the finishing touches of my luggage and to say goodbye to my grandma, uncle, aunty and nephews that are in Lagos at the moment. Also said goodbye to my sister (tears...) and her sweet Alonso. One hour later, got in the car with my parents, they took me to Lisbon J Almost forgot to say goodbye to Quiba, my 11 year old dog, which I might never see again… But then gave her a huge hug too.

As soon as we arrived at Lisbon, passed by Uni to get my Learning Agreement, but tough luck, there was no one there to give it to me. Then, went to the zoo, to have drink with Vera. Was great to see her before I leave, she only goes to Istanbul mid September. Lucky her, I looove Istanbul!

After, me and my parents went home, my apartment in Lisbon, to finish my packing. And went out for dinner in a great Brazilian Restaurant. Tried to sleep a bit, until 6.30 to wake up and get to Lisbon’s airport. A lot of tears and then went to do my check in to London. Luckily no excessive weight!

And now, my flight to the other side of the world will depart within one hour. It will take about 11hours and as I’ve never been in one of those mega airplanes like the one that is standing in front of me, I’m quite excited! On my way from terminal 3 to 5, I came with a girl from California, she was on her way to Poland, was really nice to talk to some1 who’s also travelling on her own!

I’ll arrive at Mexico city at about 19.10, local time, but it will be 01.10 in Portugal, so I expect I just wanna sleep, but let’s see. I will (I hope) be picked up by someone from ITAM, and he’ll take me to the apartment I’ll be staying at this semester. Well, gotta go and board. Talk to ya guys later! X x x

Mexico City, 14:45, 05.08.2010

I feel totally broken and tired, must be because of the rare and bad air here, but also all the emotions and jetlag. Yesterday the flight from London to Mexico City, after waiting one hour is the plain for the storm to pass by, was perfect. I entered the plain and already felt tears in my eyes, I was really leaving to the transatlantic. The plain was huge; it even had a 1^st floor! When I found my seat I put my luggage in the place and set down. Directly the girl next to me asked me where I was from and what I was going to do in Mexico and so on. Well, it seemed to be a great coincidence, in fact we were 5 girls in a row, traveling on their own from Europe to Mexico. Linda, from Italy, going to study at UNAM and do a “practica”; Carmen, from Denmark, going to study at ITAM, just like me, we’re even taking some subjects together; Alexia from Guatemala who came back from one year au-pair in Germany, and was gonna take another flight to Guatemala; another girl, don’t even remember her name, Mexican, coming back from one year studying in Germany, she had about 8 of those baby Jack Daniels and other strong drinks that were being offered in the plain, so she was quite drunk :p so, surrounded by girls in similar situations as mine, I had no time to cry or to be afraid of crossing the Atlantic Ocean. We had a great flight, almost no turbulence and, with one touch screen per person with about 20 different films, tv channels and radio channels, nice food, extra socks, blanket and pillow, 11 hours passed by faster than I expected. Though, it was quite exhausting because I spent all the time speaking Spanish and I still have to concentrate a lot…

Arrival at Juares, Mexico D.F: checked my visa and passport, everything OK, my luggage was also there, so I was happy. Felipe and Angel, also from my buddy team were awaiting me. Poor them, I was quite late. Also Carlo, from New York was there, he also arrived that day, but his buddy did not pick him up, so he came with us. 1^st impression about the streets of Mexico City, very old cars, VW beetles, here they are called “bocho”, even as taxi, love it! But also a lot of big and expensive cars like Hummers. The traffic was a big chaos and shops were still open (at 23h00!), people walking on the streets and huge New York style advertisements. We went in Felipe’s car (very nice, nothing to do with my lovely Golf2) and after about 1,5 hours, we arrived at Ivan´s. It’s a nice neighborhood, a lot of trees and green, seems very calm and quite. The apartments is OK, but I’ll have to pimp up my room, it’s too white. Everybody has been very nice to me and very worried. Feels good. It was about midnight when they left and I just felt like sleeping, in Portugal it already was 6 in the morning. Luckily I did sleep a bit, had some nice tropical fruits for breakfast and went to buy a Mexican cell phone. I felt so isolated, had no internet because Ivan forgot to pay it (I’ll only post this tomorrow) and my Portuguese cell phone has got no network at all (fuck vodafone’s roaming!). Bought a cell phone for 30euros with 20euros in calls, good deal. On the street you can find many little stands and kiosks where they sell the most diverse things, a lot of tacos, great smell! Now I’m home alone, Ivan went to ITAM to get his timetable. I finally managed to get in contact with my parents, I really needed to talk to them a bit J Tonight I might go out for dinner and go to bed early. Tomorrow is the information session at ITAM, I’m looking forward to meet the other exchange students and see the uni! Hasta mañana!

Goodbye Portugal

Hola amigos!

Como já devem saber, vou fazer um semestre (5 meses) de intercâmbio para o México, Cidade do México. Esta cidade é a capital do País e tem 21 milhões de habitantes, situando-se a uma altitude de 2100m. Valores chocantes, né? Enfim, vejamos. Quando penso no Mexico penso em tequila, tacos, sol, muita cultura, felicidade, alegria, Frida Kahlo, Corona e outras coisas giras. Mas não podemos esquecer o caos, a pobreza que ainda persiste, a criminalidade, entre outras.

Ao longo da minha aventura, pretendo deixar aqui alguns comentários e histórias para vocês poderem estar actualizados da minha situação e sentir um pouco o "feeling" de uma loira que vai sozinha, completamente sozinha, 5 meses para o outro lado do Mundo.

Estou muito ansiosa, é já depois de amanhã que vou pisar, pela primeira vez na minha vida, o continente americano.

Parece que tá tudo tratado, Visto, Passaporte, seguro, cadeiras escolhidas e casa.

Vou ficar num quarto num apartamento com 2 mexicanos. Um deles reagiu a um comentário meu no Mural do ITAM (Instituto Tecnológico autonomo do Mexico) no Facebook e ofereceu ajuda. Após umas mensagens para cá e para lá, ficou combinado eu ficar no apartamento dele. Chama-se Ivan, 25 anos e estuda engenharias na mesma universidade.

Em relação à despedida, esta foi uma boa causa para organizar uma Poolparty cá em casa dos meus pais em Lagos. Decidir quem convidar foi complicado, já que o meu pai impôs um limite, claro. Acabou por ser um sucesso, uma boa mistura de amigos, com profissões, ocupações, cursos, nacionalidades, interesses muito diferentes.

Já acabou o meu último fim de semana cá em Lagos e aproveitei. 6ª feira fui ao Duna Beach com a Melissa, grande festa, dançar até o sol nascer :) depois, os Rubens ainda passaram pela minha casa para dar um mergulho e um abraço. Um almoço de família. Sunset Beach Party na Arrifana com boa compahia, uma bela aventura, e um acampamento para acabar. Agora só falta ir dar uma voltinha à cavalo para me depedir desta bela natureza. E assim, com as malas semi-feitas, estou pronta para amanhã de manhã ir para Lisboa com os meus pais e, na 4ª de manhazinha enfiar me num avião, on my own, numa viagem de, ao todo, 17 horas. OMG!

Hasta Luego!

PS. Não sei em que língua escrever este blog, porque vai ser lido por malta de cá, de Portugal, mas também por amigos e familiares holandeses e eventualmente, gente de outras nacionalidades. Assim, vou escrevedno na língua que me apetecer e vocês e vocês podem se desenrascar com o Google translator! hahah