On the way to the airport Mom was driving, Dad was in the back and I rode shot gun eating chinese takeout with a fork. The ride went smoothly with my parents reminding me over and over to be careful and my mom insisting that if anyone was going to mess with me it would be when I was carrying over 100 pounds of crap around with me.
Dad didn't say much because he is hard of hearing and carrying on a conversation with people when they aren't facing him frustrates him.
As we passed Rockridge Bart station I scanned the platform wondering if I could get a last glimpse of Nathaniel before I left. I didn't, he probably wasn't awake yet. I made sure to text him when I knew his alarm should be going off to not sleep in.
I talked to him on the way to the airport and once I was at my gate. It was nice to say goodbye as he walked to work (his car being in the shop). I thought about him on my plane rides yesterday wishing we could go on an adventure. That would be fun.
SFO was crazy with my parents. Like in Italy my Mom felt the need to question my Airport navigation abilities... I told her in Italy- Travel is one thing I'm actually good at regardless of how profoundly mediocre (phrase stolen from Saumeister) I am at most other things.
The ride to LAX was a breeze. Only an hour and 20 minutes long... The crowd definitely changes style although airports are supposed to be a good mix of people types.
SF kids are all about the dark denim skinny jeans, the black, the interesting shades of grey and stronger but darker colors and tom's... Everyone in LA seemed to be in pastels, super tan, sporting ridiculously long hair and I even saw a guy doing yoga in the middle of the airport forcing people to walk around him. I am generalizing of course but it was a very non SFO crowd.
I spent my time at LAX getting coffee and using the internet... calling my bank and asking them to please put a note on my account that Mexico ATM usage should not be flagged.
I got into line at starbucks with maybe 8 people in front of me. By the time there were only 5-6 people ahead of me the line for caffeine was 25 people long. Jesus.
Flying to Houston was a smooth ride. For half the flight I thought I was sitting next to a teenager and then I realized it was just a very tiny woman with clothes on 10 years too young for her and a face full of glitter... LAX I told you.
Houston was ridiculous. Although I had a 2 hour layover and didn't have to pass security I wanted to find my gate before worrying about food or exchanging money. After finding my gate I was told that the nearest money exchanger was in the next terminal... the one I had just come from... so I wandered back to the tram.
An international airport should have at least one money exchanger in every terminal.
If I had been fling into MEX I probably would have waited to exchange. I imagined Querétaro airport would be small and didn't want to risk not being able to exchange money/not being able to afford a cab.
The cabs run out of the airport are very legit without a hint of sketch. It was quite possibly the cleanest cab I've ever ridden in and the first car I've ever used in Mexico that had working seat belts.
*Random Querétaro fact* people seem to be afraid of jaywalking. A one lane street could have no cars coming but most of the people will wait for the walk sign to come on.
My hotel room is small but clean and located in the quaint part of town. So, I like it. I wish I had a room facing the plaza but all of those have two king beds in them I think... no bueno.
Lunch cost 9 usd and dinner cost less than 3 (with a drink). Gotta love those tortas! It wouldn't be possible to eat so cheaply everyday but today it was nice.
The missions I accomplished today included finding an adapter for my computer plug, sending in the list of classes I want to take to a lady at the "Tec" and possibly finding an apartment... I am going to go talk to the real estate people in the morning to see what we can work out. I'd like to at least get a copy of the contract and have the lawyer for the school look at it.
Shit. And I need to apply for my student visa. The lawyer sent us all a reminder e-mail about that today.
After all the steps I've taken and will need to take to take... classes are going to be a joke. No actually.... if that lady signs me up for history of mexico this semester I am going to cry.
It was a good day. Now... I need some friends to drink beers with!
<3
alex
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