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Some More Mexico Notes
Jan. 9th, 2016 09:16 pmKLM short-haul flights have improved. And their Spekulatsien* are delicious. *Spelling so wrong and I've eaten mine from Christmas so I can't just grab a packet to check the spelling. I do however think that people who eat tuna in confined spaces that I cannot escape from should be tazered. Grr argh!
I really loved Mexico and would go back again in a heartbeat. Just advanced warning, Mexico City can be a bit loud and busy. Not as busy as central London or central Birmingham in the run up to Christmas but the step below that. And loud is in lots of different frequencies so if, like my mother, you're a bit sensitive to noise, know that the cafes tend to be nice and quiet and within easy hiding distance.
I would however recommend knowing more Spanish than I did. I was fine, sort of, when I was reading things, I could more or less follow ~ 50% of what was being communicated but then the speaking started and that dropped down to 20%. So I had to admit my mother was right, which is never a good thing :) (Actually, it was worse than that, she was right about two different things. There's nothing worse than having to admit my mother was right about multiple things.)
Matters were really not helped by the way my sentences would start with perfectly good and Spanish intentions but would fizzle into French midway through.
As well as 'could you please repeat that more slowly' and 'is this checked through to [wherever]?'
I am going to add 'Sorry to disturb but the window has fallen out of our hotel room' to my travel dictionary.
Some things which don't change no matter where you are: the response to foreigners not understanding the local language is to repeat it slower and louder. In defence of all parties, it was late and we were drunk.
First man: (Something in Spanish)
Me: (Look of confusion)
First man's brother: She's one of the English and doesn't speak Spanish.
First man: (Some thing again, but louder and slower)
First man's brother: She's still English and doesn't speak Spanish.
Other things which don't change no matter where you are: brothers!
I really loved Mexico and would go back again in a heartbeat. Just advanced warning, Mexico City can be a bit loud and busy. Not as busy as central London or central Birmingham in the run up to Christmas but the step below that. And loud is in lots of different frequencies so if, like my mother, you're a bit sensitive to noise, know that the cafes tend to be nice and quiet and within easy hiding distance.
I would however recommend knowing more Spanish than I did. I was fine, sort of, when I was reading things, I could more or less follow ~ 50% of what was being communicated but then the speaking started and that dropped down to 20%. So I had to admit my mother was right, which is never a good thing :) (Actually, it was worse than that, she was right about two different things. There's nothing worse than having to admit my mother was right about multiple things.)
Matters were really not helped by the way my sentences would start with perfectly good and Spanish intentions but would fizzle into French midway through.
As well as 'could you please repeat that more slowly' and 'is this checked through to [wherever]?'
I am going to add 'Sorry to disturb but the window has fallen out of our hotel room' to my travel dictionary.
Some things which don't change no matter where you are: the response to foreigners not understanding the local language is to repeat it slower and louder. In defence of all parties, it was late and we were drunk.
First man: (Something in Spanish)
Me: (Look of confusion)
First man's brother: She's one of the English and doesn't speak Spanish.
First man: (Some thing again, but louder and slower)
First man's brother: She's still English and doesn't speak Spanish.
Other things which don't change no matter where you are: brothers!
