Tuesday, December 30, 2008

See you later Dull As


I awoke to much brighter spirits, the fear and uncertainty that were yesterday left in my dreams. I slept very well at The Comfort Inn- in fact,my mattress could have been mistaken for a cloud.

I spent most of the morning in Dulles airport and I now know why it is pronounced Dullas because it is exactly that- dull, dull, dull. The only interesting thing are the bizarre sky buses which look like demountable class rooms on wheels, not just any wheels but big wheels, like demolition derby sized wheels... other than that it is just like any other airport in any other city.

The shops at the airport are frightfully bad. Mostly they sell overpriced Obama memorabilia, seems like everything from Hope water to Change key rings are for sale and that´s not to mention the vast array of Obama T-shirts, hoodies, inauguration souvenirs etc etc. It is almost like the airport´s merchandise is branded Obama. I did not see any White House spoons, West Wing almanacs or Capitol Hill ... anything.

I was also disappointed that I did not see any Josh Lyman look alikes.

Before I left DC I wrote some thoughts about what I thought Mexico would be like- It was not an exhaustive or well thought out list just the usual stereotypes which I thought would be able to focus my first entry on the country.

1- Blinding white light.
2-Colourful- primary colours mostly.
3-Moustaches a plenty (24/7 Movember)
4. Sombrero worshippers-locals wearing them even though they are not at the SCG watching the Australian openers collapse against The Proteas.
5-Drunk- a nation in a tequila/Corona fuelled haze.
6-Slow- a place where time stands still.

After a non eventful flight (well non eventful if you count sitting next to the most loved up couple in the history of couples smooching their way across the Amercian South) . I was greeted by extremely efficient customs staff and left the airport in record time (there goes number 6 on my list) into the arms of a Ra embrace.

After a minute outside I reached into my bag in search of my over sized sunglasses (at least I got number 1 right) as I was blinded by the light- It is like Sydney sunshine; intense, hot and magic.

We stood outside the airport for about 20 mins catching up and deciding on a plan. We were thinking about going to Isla Mujures (the island of women) but thought the better of it as Ra had heard that accommodation was scarce and took the safe option and utilised our booking at Playa del Carmen.

We took a shuttle straight to our Hostel and were greeted by Rio (a Chinese looking Mexican??) who showed us our beds. We then set off to find somewhere that sold a metal chain so we could lock our bags together in the absence of a locker. I was shocked to be directed to a Wallmart, after walking past a McDonalds, Subway and Burger King ... my initial thoughts were that I could be anywhere-feels a little Byron Bay and a lot like Thailand etc etc. The world is certainly getting smaller.

I am looking forward to seeing a more authentic Mexico, one that embraces it´s heritage and I am sure that I will as we get off the well worn tourist path.

In my short stay here I can say I was surprised that it is not more colourful but I am sure it will be- it just is not the artists palette of vibrance I envisaged. I have only seen a couple of mostaches and I am yet to see a Mexican in a sombrero...

Will comment on the drunkenness of the nation after I have tasted some of it´s finest Tequila tonight. Ra and I have our party pants on and will report in tomorrow.

Lots of Love

KP

1 comment:

Lucy said...

Wooohoo!!! Mexico! Hope you had a good night and settling in. Sounds awesome. Sorry I didn't see you before you left, have been here on the isle for eternity!!
take care and much love, Lucy xxx