since arriving:

since arriving:


because the accomodation provided by the school is really expensive, I thought id look around before I settled on an apartment, so i figured id stay in a hostel for a bit


hostel casa vieja is a small family run place so the ppl that work here are really cool, super nice, help you out with whatever you ask, and speak english if ur spanish sucks. Theres only 16 beds. it costs around 150 pesos per night which is like $11.5-13.5 depending on the exchange rate. im roomin with a korean guy learning spanish and 2 french dudes traveling through mexico.


i was pleasantly surprised by how good my spanish is. i prob still sound like a retard, but i am able to get around and can easily order whatever i want at street stalls.


met some girls from germany who are getting paid to travel by some pharma study for travel diarrea. all they have to do is get a vaccination (may be a placebo) then travel to wherever for 3 weeks. its an international study w/clinics in various countries that they have to check in at to get more money or run test. one hilarious/disgusting thing they have to do at times is bag their own shit and turn it in to these clinics for tests. i couldnt stop laughing 


Saw some apartments. I was late to a meeting with one person, so I caught her on her way out and we just went to eat at some thai place. Turns out she's an english teacher who works for execs. She manages a team of teachers that go to different exec companies teaching english before or after the company's work day. her apartment is expensive but she's been a teacher here for 14 years and learning from her would be invaluable. 


I try to believe that the majority of people in any given country are okay and its a small % of dickheads that can give a place a bad name. So far mexicanos are making that easy to believe in. Asking for directions is easy as ppl are more than willing to help you out. 2 ppl helped me get a taxi at the airport. A few days later when I was walking around lost, I stopped at a place that wasnt busy to ask directions and they ended up printing me a map from google. I remember someone saying that most ppl would let their grandma fall down the stairs to go help someone that was lost. I think that's prob true, but I wouldnt do it to my grandma. 

5 comments:

  1. Way to go, Joe! I am so proud of you! Thanks for creating the blog and keeping us updated. Miss you!

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  2. Hey Dude, Thanks for the wonderful "blog" It is great to hear your thoughts and impressions. U should write a travel column. It is reassuring to know that there are good people out there. Stay safe and keep writing. love, Dad

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  3. Joe, great blog! I'm glad you're having a good experience so far--did you see your cuz's Turkey blog? Half of it is on the FOOD, which she describes as "The Greek festival on crack"!!
    http://natalieinturkey.blogspot.com/
    Do you want the email of Becca's friend in Mexico City? let us know, love you, Aunt Peg, xoxoxo

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  4. PS: Joey, I agree with you: "I try to believe that the majority of people in any given country are okay and its a small % of dickheads that can give a place a bad name." Well put!
    xoAunt Peg

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  5. joey! sweet, I'm such a role model. Mexico sounds like it's the shit (so to speak). Do they have pools there that I could drown you in? Love ya, nat.

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