Last night I got back to the hostel from one of the most amazing day trips ever. That wasn’t why I got my travel mojo back but it sure did help. I’ll share that story soon I promise, because I can’t believe I did what I did & no it wasn’t XXX. Anyway after an amazing day I got back to the hostel and I wasn’t sure if I should stay another night in Queretaro or move on to Mexico City. I laid in bed and knew I wanted the extra day in Queretaro to really do nothing, but knew my heart wanted to be in Mexico City already.
Mexico City is a city I have been wanting to visit all my life. I had seen it a million times in the million TvNovelas I used to watch as a kid growing up at home. I stayed up last night trying to figure out where I was going to stay and even though I knew Mexico City is one of the largest cities in the world… I honestly had no clue it was so huge until it came time to book a fucking hostel. So yeah after searching and trying to figure out what would be best I decided to book a hostel in the dead center of the city. Since I arrived to Mexico not once have I booked a bus ticket in advance. I have just showed up at the bus station and asked for the next bus to wherever I am going and well that has worked just fine for me so was going to do that again to get to Mexico City.
I woke up exhausted like always not wanting to get out of bed regardless of getting 8 hours of sleep, but was ready to get going. I had packed my bags the night before so just rolled out washed my face, brushed my teeth and wanted just the damn banana from the crappy breakfast the hostel gave for free for staying there. I asked the hostel to call a taxi for me, because I didn’t want to walk a few blocks to the bus stop and take the bus to the bus station. I have done that enough already that it gets old quickly…jajaja! So I made it to the bus station and walked in.
“Sir…sir… sir where are you going?”
Asked a ton of people, but I walk straight to my preferred Mexican Bus Line “Primera Plus”… and ask for ticket to Mexico City.
“Okay yes sir & what bus station would you like to go to in Mexico City?”
“Uhhh, I have no clue… I just know I need to get to El Zocalo (the center of the city).”
“Okay you can take the next bus that leaves in 15 minutes that will take you to the North Terminal Bus Station.”
I have a face of okay I hope I can figure out how to get to my hostel from there & buy the ticket anyway.
The bus gets going and seriously the buses in Mexico are just so damn fucking amazing. You get your own headphones and can watch whatever movie they are playing or listen to music. I always prefer to listen to music and in my head I keep going “EEEEEEEEeeeeee I’m going to El DF!!!”…. I put my head set on & bam… I’m brought back to reality. I’m on a spanish station that is playing a song I literally listened to on repeat while I was working in Houston. The song is “Te Amo (Para Siempre)” (I love you forever) by Intocable. It’s a song that says… “I wish I was with you to tell you how much I love you. I wish I could see you if even for a few moments to tell you how important you are to my life. I want you to know you are always on my mind and I’m dying for the day I’m back with you to tell you… that I love the way you look at me and that you’re the one I love” Oh & it goes on and on… it’s so damn beautiful seriously click the link and listen to it. It’s a link to a video with the English translation. So yeah it came on and no joke I got tears in my eyes because of course… that’s my biggest battle in life at the moment. As soon as it was over I tell my self to get over it & move on because because apparently he has too. I wipe my tears off and in my head yell… “EEEEEeeeeee I’m going to El DF!!!!”.
3 hours later I arrive to Mexico City… my heart is going crazy, because I have no clue what to expect. I get off the bus walk into the terminal and lord PEOPLE EVERYWHERE… so many people. I see a sign that says “Bienvenidos a La Ciudad de Mexico” and as I reach to pull out my iPod to snap a quick picture of it all I hear is “TAXI… TAXI… TAXI” from a what feels like a million taxi drivers. For some reason that small moment took me back to all the times I arrived in Cairo and the same thing would happen. So I carried on and didn’t take the photo. I asked security where I could find the subway and she told me “straight ahead” I find it and my heart can’t stop beating fast full of excitement and adrenaline and at the same time horror, because I’m in a new city, a massive fucking city that I have heard my whole life is also very dangerous. I arrive to the subway pay the 5 pesos to get the ticket and then spend a few minutes looking at the subway map. Every time I look at a subway map of any city I laugh in my head and remember the first time I arrived in Paris where I had no clue how to read a fucking subway map (hey we don’t have it Houston) and now I’m a pro at it and love cities with subways because I use the shit out of them. Anyway I see it’ a bit far and 3 line changes, but I can handle it… or so I think!
Inside of the Subway. Couldn’t get a clear shot because it was moving.
I have both my backpacks with me and it’s a mission to get in. It’s people pushing people in and out and people every where. Again I have flash back to fucking Cairo, because this is how it is there too. Anyway I’m finally on and good to go, but know I have to do this 2 more times at all my damn line changes. In the end I make it to the Zocalo and I still can’t stop smiling… I’m so fucking excited it’s crazy. As I look for the right exit “La Catedral” I stop and just look around and tell my self “Jaime you are finally in Mexico City. This is what you needed to get your travel mojo back… to arrive in a city you’ve been wanting to explore for ages.” I find my exit and as I step out and see La Catedral for the first time in person. A sight I have seen time and time again through out my life… I stop in the middle of the stairs and snap a photo of it.
La Catedral de Mexico
As I do again I am jumping for joy inside and continue walking. Then it happens I see someone with a McDonalds Happy Meal box in their hand and I’m reminded that I have been craving McDonalds for a while. I continue walking and make it to my hostel… safe and sound. I literally unpack… lay in bed for a bit and get going. The first thing I do is find a McDonalds and have a Big Mac meal. Yes I know fucking stupid that I’m in Mexico City and the first thing I eat is McDonalds. Here’s why though… it’s because I have already been in Mexico almost 2 months and seriously have had just about all the Mexican I can have and wanted some comfort food. So can care less what anyone will think I loved it and enjoyed it and now that I had it it’s out of the way and I can continue enjoying all the amazing Mexican food this city has to offer.
I spend the rest of the day walking around the city and with my heart going “EEEEEeeeeeeeee” and in complete awe of the city. For some reason it reminds me of New York City, but also Cairo. I don’t know it’s strange, but it does. Maybe I could write about that later.
The Latino Americana tower at the end of Avenida Hidalgo.
As the day is drifting into darkness I can feel a storm brewing and know I need to head back to my hostel before it starts raining. I hop on the metro and make my way right back to my hostel. Ahh that feeling you get when you know how to navigate a new cities subway system is just amazing. It makes you feel like you can go anywhere and never get lost jaja.
I arrive at the hostel and am just all smiles and so excited to actually plan and research what I am going to see in this massive city. I’m reignited with that feeling of being an explorer of a city I know nothing of. I had been enjoying it previously as I explored other cities in Mexico before arriving to El DF, but this one is the one that made me get out of my damn funk and realize that what I am doing is actually amazing and that I need to make the most of it. I have told my self I am going to let things be… move on from the problems I feel I have and enjoy what I am doing. When the day comes I’ll deal with that problem I have (you know my broken heart) and face it then. Until then… I’m on the road baby and so fucking excited to be out here exploring more of Mexico and soon South America!!!
I apologize for not blogging much again, but I have honestly been enjoying not having to worry about it. I have been updating my Instagram account with several pictures a day so please follow me there for more updates. Now that I’m out of my funk I think I will be blogging a bit more. We’ll see though because I love not worrying about it and not knowing what day of the week it is jajaja!!! Anyway….
EEEEEEEEEEEeeeeeeeeeeeee I got my travel mojo back!!!
YAY!!!!! I’m so happy & excited for you!!!!!
Ali recently posted..Views of Budapest from St. Stephen’s Basilica
Thanks a ton Ali!!!
Awwww, it’s so good to read more than just 140 characters from you! 🙂
Do you plan to go to Teotihuacan (hey, if Mexico City reminds you so much of Cairo, why don’t you visit some pyramids… haha)
Now I have to go check your Instagram feed!
Oh yes Lucie here I write like a million characters. I never shut up and just keep talking. Anyway bajajajajajaja I did actually visit the pyramids yesterday!!! But yes for some reason small things here & there keep reminding me of Cairo & it’s driving me insane.
Ahhh I love your blog!! And Mexico City 🙂 I read your posts on how long your last trip cost you, but was just wondering what your budget is for this two year adventure? I’m trying to do the same 🙂 Que disfrutes tu viaje!!
Hi Mariana, I’m so happy you love my blog. That makes me smile!!! So for this trip I saved $20,000 & hope it last me at least a year and half. I know this time around I will have to work somewhere to make the money last longer. If you have any questions please let me know and if I can help you I will help you!!!
I *love* the DF and I’m sure you will too. Amazing food, amazing architecture, amazing people – what more could you want? 🙂 Glad you got your mojo back.
Julia recently posted..12 Things I’ve Learned About Living In Amsterdam
Julia… I am freaking LOVING it TOO!!! It’s amazing for all the reasons you just said.
Great that you’ve got your travel mojo back! I adored Mexico City, definitely one of my favourite cities in the world. I had (unfairly) low expectations for it, since Latin American capitals are known for being the less pleasant cities in their country, and the D.F has so many people. But that just meant that when I turned up and it was clean and gorgeous and bustling, it just blew my mind. Enjoy your time there! 🙂
Jo recently posted..Confessions of a rubbish backpacker
Jo, not gonna lie it’s blown my expectations away too. I’m just contently shocked and in awe and just fall in love more and more each day.
I’m very happy that you’ve found your way on the road and that you’ve got your groove back. That is awesome!
I love your black and white photos. And wow! I had no idea Mexico City looked like that. I also didn’t know it was that huge. But like you, Mexico City is one of those places I’ve always wanted to see, and one day, I will get there.
I’m so glad you are sharing your photos of Mexico with us, and I love the historical facts you include in your Instagram captions. Whenever I see one of your photos and see how amazing Mexico looks, I get angry with how American media portrays it. If you didn’t know better, you would think it’s just a dusty, brown, desert area with absolutely no greenery or beauty. Or that all of the cities are Spanish ruins in deep decay that look like crap. Sure, some crappy places exist and look like the stereotype (as they do in America [i.e. Detroit]), but it’s really disappointing that Mexico gets such a bad image. Other travel bloggers I read have shown that Mexico isn’t complete garbage, but the places you’ve visited have been absolutely breathtaking. Love it!
Thanks Summar, for following along. I’m glad you are enjoying my Instagram photos too and am so happy I can share a slice of Mexico the media does not share with us. I find myself getting upset with myself because I too didn’t not expect it to be this amazing and I’ve been her millions of times before and know it is an amazing country. Media is just so powerful and does change the way you see the world. That is why I hate news. Anyway I’m so happy I am sharing it with everyone and sharing that it isn’t all garbage and crime and poverty.
I’m so happy for you! I guess that means I’ll be visiting your blog often again 😛 I miss your stories!
Micamyx|Senyorita recently posted..The Hustle and Bustle of Shibuya Crossing in Tokyo, Japan
Jajaja thanks Mica, yeah hopefully I update my blog a bit more now that I’m out of my funk!!!
Wow. I’m from Mexico city and I love how you get amazed by my city. Hope your expectations get fulfill!
Please please please visit the National University, it’s right out side the subway station and I love it cause, besides it’s where I’m studying, it’s huge and mix the modernity whit the national history!
Can’t wait to see your pictures and histories 🙂
Hi Daniel, yes I am so excited to be here. The last 4 days have been so amazing. I have seen and done so much!!! I will be sure to visit the National University. I have tons of photos to share on Instagram. Love sharing the beautiful side of Mexico with everyone. Ahhh Mexico is amazing!!!
I haven’t been to Mexico City in a really long time, but would love to visit Oaxaca for their Day of the Dead festival!
Sometimes, all it takes is a change of environment to get that buzz and motivation back!!!
Jeff yes I’d love to go one day to Oaxaca for Day of the Dead. I’ve been before but not for the holiday. Anyway yes sometimes it really just takes going to a place you have wanted to visit all your life to get your mojo back.
I love how excited you are :-)!!! I’ve enjoyed seeing your photos on Instagram and look forward to stories here too whenever you’re ready to share them. ENJOY THE MOMENT and we’ll be here for the details later 🙂
Heather recently posted..Bucket list achievement | My first skydive
Thanks Heather, I think that is part of the other reason I hadn’t been sharing… I have honestly just been enjoying the moment. Hopefully I post more on here soon though jaja!
Hey Jamie!
I was reading That Gay Backpacker blog and I restubbled on to breakaway backpacker. I’m so happy to see that you are traveling again! I look forward to hear lots about Mexico and South America. Both I have strong interests in. I visited Mexico a lot with a friend who lives down there but don’t have strong enough Spanish to do S.A. solo. It makes such a huge difference being able to converse with the locals. Like a good TV series. I look forward seeing your updates and Latin adventures. And don’t skip bars, clubs, night life referrals and boys. Even though your heart is in Egypt you still have to be our wingmen via online!
Hi Jaime!
I just wanted to let you know that I’ve been reading your blog a bit for the past couple days and I really enjoy it! You are very entertaining and fun to read while being very informative at the same time. I especially like this post and how as I read it I could feel your excitement burtsing forth from every paragraph.
I really want to backpack Central and South America some day too.
Anyway, I will keep reading, and you keep up the good work recording your adventures!
-sarah
Hi, Jaime!
That is so exciting that you had a great time. — I’m planning a 6 month backpacking trip to Europe and I’m just now gathering all the things that I think I need. I have a question for ya! I see that you have two backpacks, a big and a small one. Where do you leave your big one during the day? or do you carry it with you all the time? I think I would be terrified of leaving it somewhere, so, what do you do?
Hi Chris thanks for commenting. Yes I do travel with 2 backpacks. Normally the little one fits in the locker. As for the big one everyone leaves it out on the floor or on their bed or under their bed. The big backpack normally doesn’t have any of your very important things. For ex my big backpack has just lots odaily things like clothes and so on… so don’t worry so much. Plus it’s just a written rule you don’t steal from each other. Even though it does happen… it’s rare. You will get used to the hostel culture after your first few hostels. Let me know if you have any other questions.
Awesome! Thanks for being so prompt to respond. — You rock!
I am barely starting to plan routes and places I want to visit. Is it normal that I’m spending like 10 hours on planning for each city? Although it makes me panic a little bit, would it be better if I just got there and figured it out? — How do you normally plan your routes?
Thanks again,
Chris. 🙂
It’s always interesting when you read about your own city, sometimes you just lost that perspective for being too much time in the same place I guess…
What a shame I haven’t read it before It would be nice to meet you, but I’m glad you liked it.
Ahhh Mexico City is fascinating. Love that city so much!!! Would have been nice to meet you there.