CDMX First Impressions

We arrived in the evening, so the spread of lights across the valley stood out, ringed by mountains. The sun was setting through towering thunderheads, but our landing was pretty smooth despite the thunderstorms. Taxiing in to the gate, a message of welcome in English and Spanish and then, pouring off the plane with everyone else, a sea of people sorting themselves into lines. Mexicanos to one side. Extranjeros to the other. Wheeling our brand new suitcases out of baggage claim. Nothing to Declare.

That first car ride, as well as the evening stroll we took to stretch travel weary legs, did not convince me that we were in fact in a metropolis of 22 million. It was kind of quiet and peaceful on a Sunday night, dark and drizzly under the tree canopy. CDMX stretches across a valley, so you are cradled in the neighborhood. Thick walls block the noises. Disturbances even a few streets away are often inaudible. During the first week, we came across a noisy demonstration...there is always a strike or a protest....but walking a few blocks and turning a corner muted the sounds of chanting and drums to silence. Occasionally we find ourselves on a hill or on a high floor of a building with a view, and if it is a clear day, the city is a sea of rooftops, spreading out with no breaks, in all directions. 

People are friendly, everything is in Spanish. I am utterly lost when it comes to the self checkout stations in the grocery store (but the clerks are helpful). Anything that could be happening is happening somewhere in this city. The street food, public transportation and markets are cheap. Uber, cafes in Condessa and supermarkets are expensive but our dollars go a long way.

Spanish school starts this week.  I have no idea what to expect.