MEXICO!

Mexico City

Travel Day on a Friday?  Now that is something that we don’t hear everyday, let alone having a Saturday off on tour.  Thank goodness we all made it safely to our international destination.  I will have to admit that I am a little apprehensive about this trip because it is the first time that I will be outside the United States for more than just a week in a completely different culture and not being fluent in the language.  

Right about now, I am really wishing that I would have stuck with studying more Spanish in high school and college.  Maybe I will be able to pick up on a few more things since we are going to be abroad for a total of five weeks.   One can only hope.

It’s still hard to believe that I am really here.  I mean I know that I have been doing this job for three years now, but I still can’t even believe it. 

So, here goes nothing…bring on Mexico City!

As soon as we landed, we hit the ground running.  There was a little time for some sight seeing when we got in and visiting the typical places that everyone raves about along with finding a few of our own before it was time to get down to business. 

Performing 7,000 feet above sea level really takes it toll.  I really think that everyone who moves to Colorado Springs for training should consider training in Mexico City; it definitely has a few thousand feet on the mile high city. 

I mean finishing just the Pre-Show and Opening numbers of the show, I felt as if I just completed a cross-country or long distance race on the track. 

So, like anyone could imagine we were all looking forward to our day off.  While many chose to do something productive and see the city, there was some of us that a chose a different route that entailed sleeping in and watching as many movies as we could.  Either way that we chose, everyone enjoyed their day off before starting week two.

Even though it may have been the start to a new week, more and more people were out with the Mexico illness.  Between that and the elevation, everyone was feeling the effects of it along with the long and bumpy van rides to the arena.  It was a free roller coaster ride everyday both ways haha. 

I mean after all most of the roads don’t even have lines on them let alone stop signs at intersections and even though there are speed bumps in the middle of the road at random points along the trip it just isn’t the same as a stop sign.  It’s a wonder how there aren’t more accidents all things considered and the fact that everyone literally drives on top of the person in front of them.  What is even scarier is getting to an intersection that goes in about 10 different directions without any lines showing what way the lanes go.  Sometimes you just have to hold your breath and hope for the best.  That is, if there isn’t a protest going on. 

So far, after two weeks of being here there has been a protest each week.  Apparently, it’s very common for any reason to be a protest in Mexico. 

Anyhow, on a calmer note, it was time for our day off again and we were all headed to the Teotihuacan (Pyramids) for a little tourist sightseeing experience.  The itinerary went as follows:

Zona Arqueologica – pyramids site

la plaza de la Piramide del Sol (Pyramid of the Sun)

la plaza de la Piramide de la Luna (Pyramid of the Moon)

Cueve de la Region – cave

Tepantila District

Taller Artesanias – art craft

Fabrica de licor – liquor factory

Lunch at the Gran Teocalli

It was an absolutely amazing day with a great group of people.  Yes, it was hot, the sun was shining, and there was a lot of walking on top of basically rock climbing up the pyramids.  Some of the steps were literally at a 90-degree angle where you had to use ropes to scale the side, but it was such a great experience.  And being able to go through the entire site with a tour guide really helped enhance the information and the feeling that you got walking through even the caves and street of the dead.  We even took part in a sacrifice ceremony and did the rain dance.  It’s crazy how much you can learn about a culture from little trips like this. 

We were all wore out by the end of the day, but it was totally worth it and we are all very grateful to be able to do something like this while we are on the road working.  It’s just another perk of the job. 

But before we knew it, the day was done and it was back to work for the third and final week in Mexico City. 

And just like the two weeks previous, there was yet again another protest.  However, at this point, it has become something of the norm. 

We did have a few highlights though and one of which was our first BBQ of the year!  It was so nice for everyone to get together and have a chance to hangout and enjoy each other’s company and a few days later we were able to see the Blue Moon, that didn’t really look blue, but still.

As we are nearing the end of our time here, we are all looking forward to moving on to a different home for the next week!