Photos: The Americas

yellowcap — Sat, 22 Sep 2012 05:56:00 GMT

Photos from my time in the Spanish speaking Americas.

Tacos and Beyond

yellowcap — Sat, 22 Sep 2012 04:23:00 GMT

It was more than 20 months ago that I first step over the Mexican border from Belize. I had spent the previous night on a beautiful, Belizean island. I caught the boat back to Belize City and then it was an interesting bus ride to the "frontera".

It's funny because Mexico wasn't like the Mexico I was expecting. I guess the most vivid imagine I had of it came from the movies. However, I discovered it wasn't all deserts and cactuses, yes it was hot, but it was also green and full of life.

Another false impression I had was the food. The food wasn't the same as the food they serve in the Mexican restaurants in Australia (I spent a year in Mexico before I had my first burrito). The tacos, for example, are mostly soft tortillas, filled with a delicious meat and you put on your own sauce. I like both takes on Mexican food- Australian Mexican food and the original. This may sound a bit dumb to say, but they are quite different and both great tasting.

I also love mexico because I like to be challenged by trying to speak another language. I found it what difficult having never learned a second language before. To improve my Spanish I spent two weeks in Copán Ruines, Honduras going to Spanish school during the day, and staying with a local family. I also attended another Spanish school in Guatemala at Panajachel. To build my vocabulary I used this program, which I am still using today.

At the moment I base myself in Mexico City. It's a great city with lots to offer. The pros include many great places including Museo Nacional de Antropología, or museums housing the works Frieda Kahlo or Remedios Varo. The cons include the amount of cars and all the air pollution that they generate.

I have many more stories to share about Mexico but they will have wait for the following chapters.

The Spanish Speaking Americas

Photos: The Americas

Tacos and Beyond