Meet the Aztecs

Majestic Aztec, originally uploaded by Shon C.

I wish I could ask you to close your eyes as you imagine this...

Thick sticks beating down on tall drums, creating a sound that sends vibrations all the way to your bones. It takes control of your heart makes your heartbeat match its own pace and leaves you with goose bumps. Smoke filled air, thick with herbs, that makes you want to breathe deeper. Legs covered with bells from ankles midway through the calves, stomping to the beat of the drums. Animal hide and feather that whisk your thoughts away to the wilderness.

Meet the Aztecs.. they're almost in a trans-like state as they perform their dances and purifying ceremonies for the transfixed passers by at Zocalo. Taken over by the sight and sound, I felt like my feet had grown roots in the spot and refused to move as hard as I tried.

Can you feel it?

Cafe De Tacuba

Cafe De Tacuba, originally uploaded by Shon C.

The same evening we got invited to a photo exhibit sponsored by the Swiss Embassy. It was works by 28 photographers, housed in a very interesting space. Bright colored walls with high ceilings. The opening ceremony consisted of several speeches in Spanish (one of which was translated in English, yeah!) by some very important people like the Ambassador of the EU. For some reason though, the local photographer covering the event thought we were celebrities and dedicated a large amount of time taking pictures of us (We should have checked the newspapers the next day!)

After the exhibition, off we went to Cafe De Tacuba for Dinner. This place had the whole 9 yards.. waitresses walking around in full white uniforms (reminded me of nurses in India), brass jugs, estudiantes (another version of mariachi) and a group of drunk Colombian people who pulled everyone in sight to dance with them, including our entire table and the waitresses (I'm so tempted to say nurses!).

This was only the end of day 1, and I had already experienced so much.

Day 1

Flower Loaded Tree, originally uploaded by Shon C.

During the ride from the airport in a rickety cab, I sat absorbing the sights around me, oddly reminding me of parts of Delhi. Small Hyundai cars zipping through crowded roads with non existent lanes, old single floor buildings with iron bars covering the windows, walls that may have been bright some day, but gave in to the hot dry sun. As we get in to the newer parts of the city, massive round abouts appear with sculptures and fountains in the center (Delhi again!).

One of the sculptures was a naked woman and apparently for a while, her bare Mexican sized butt was covered with a skirt since the mayor (I think) did not approve of her mooning the drivers! Clearly flashing the front is much less distracting and artistically acceptable. :)

We arrive at the Viv's fabulous pent house apartment and we're greeted by her Spanish room mate who again tries her luck with getting me to speak Spanish without any luck. We set my stuff down and off we go in search of some food. The streets were lined with trees loaded with Purple flowers. We sat down for some traditional tacos with an array of salsas. A satisfying meal later, we walk around a bit hoping for the food to go down and then sit down at street side cafe. Suddenly all I hear all around is German.. where am I? Is this Mexico City or Berlin?

No Habla Espanol

Congratulations, originally uploaded by Shon C.

8:30 AM flight.. I guess I wasn't thinking, yet again. The cab is late, I hope I don't get rushed like my last trip.. There's a stretch limo outside the door.. naah! let me call the cab company. Oh Yeah!! The limo is for me! :) Quick coffee stop at Dunkin Donuts and off we go.

At the airport in Mexico City, conversation with the immigration officer:

Officer (Looks at my Indian Passport, puzzled): **** ** ***** *** **** (something in Spanish)
Me: No habla Espanol (Yes that's right, I'm Indian, not Mexican)
Officer: Oh.. Sup.. reee.. yah?
Me: Correct
Officer (flips thorough the passport, can't find the visa, hands it back to me, I open the right page): ******* ** ***** *** *****(Spanish again!)
Me (What part of "No habla Espanol" did he not understand? or does he think I'm lying?) : *Smile*
Officer: Sup.. re.. yaaaah!
Me (Yes, you learnt how to say my name, congratulations!)
Officer (stamp stamp): *** **** **** (more Spanish)
Me: Thank you!

Thus began the 5 days of people staring incredulously at my face, waiting for some Spanish words to find their way into the air, while I practiced the deer in the headlights routine. All this time my very white (looking) friend took every opportunity to launch a sneak attack at the waiters, cab drivers and shop keepers with her super fluent Spanish.