I love Mexico City

I love Mexico City! I'm having such an amazing time already and it's only been what... two days. We should have been here for three days already but our planes were mucho delayed. We met at the airport at 4am (yes I did make it on time) for our 6am flight but that plane was delayed until 8am. Next thing we know the flight is cancelled because of electrical problems and we have been reassigned to a 2:30pm flight. By this time I was literally exhausted (i had not slept the night before thinking I would sleep on my 6am flight) and was feeling more than a little irritable. While the rest of the team went to SouthCenter for shopping and lunch my friend (and now wonderful hotel roomate) Sarah and I stayed at the airport and slept. It was actually really nice. I had my travel blankie with me, my pillow and my sleep mask. I felt a little silly with all that gear on in the middle of the airport but exhaution won out. Sarah and I woke up about once every hour to find the other passengers "observing us", but again exhaustion won out and we ignored the curious onlookers. We both felt much revived when we awoke. Our flight to Dallas didn't end up leaving until around 4pm and our flight to Mexico was half an hour delayed. So all that to say we had somewhat of a rough taveling experience. But God is so good and we arrived at 1am safe and ready for bed.
Oh and before I tell you about my arrival in Mexico let me tell you about the plane ride. Sarah and I were cracking up because of the relaxed attitude everyone had on the flight from Dallas to Mexico. In fact it was somewhat of a culture shock to us. You know how on flights in the US you have to have your seatbelt on when taking off and landing and you must have your chair in an upright position with the tray tables up? Well they told us all of those things on this flight but most people payed no attention and the stewardesses didn't seem to notice/care. When we were taking off there was more than one person walking around acting as if they were searching for something, looking under different seats ect. (it was a pretty empty plane which was really nice) Then when we were landing a man got up and took his baggage from the overhead compartment, the stewardesses never picked up our trash or came to make sure we had our seatbelts on and me and Sarah's personal favorite was the lady across the aisle from us who was laying across all three seats in her row with her feet up in the air against the window. We just couldn't believe it. I'm hoping to take that postion next time i fly.
Prior to landing we were instructed to fill out some forms for visiting the country, forms in which we would need to give to customs. I was feeling very stressed about these forms because no one knew how to fill them out correctly and no one seemed to care but me. Then we went through customs and I swear they didn't even look at them except to type my name in the computer. I was worried about nothing. They when we arrive at the baggage claim to get our luggage it has already been taken off the conveyor belt and is all in a pile. We have to point it out the agents who then verify that it is ours and then put it on a cart for us, for a tip. :) I was feeling very confused and helpless at this point and really regretting not working harder on my spanish (i'm still feeling that way, but have hope that God is going to bless me with the knowledge before i leave :) ) One of the few things that I did understand was when the man looked at my passport and said "Estas muy bonita" (you are very pretty). So that was a nice greeting.
By the time we got through customs I was so relieved and happy to see our hosts, Carlos and Carrie. They are a young couple (only married 3 years) who regularily host teams from the states on various mission trips. The wife is American, from Chicago and her husband is Mexican. They met when she moved here to be a teacher (reminds me of another happy couple I know) :) They are so cute that I am considering finding a husband here... hahaha
I have defiently not been disapointed in our hosts, my first feeling of relief and happiness continue each time I seem them. :) I am just so glad that they are hosting us. This would be a crazy trip without them. I feel so safe knowing they are in charge. They know what we can eat, where we can go, what we can do and they are trying to help us with our language skills. They have already provided us with great opportunities.
Our first morning we had a wodnerful late breakfast (the norm here is to stay up late and wake up late, so i fit in really well here... Hannah always says my concept of time means I should be a missionary... hahaha) and then went to a clinic here and helped to organize the medical donations that they revieved and passed out fliers to the neighborhood advertising the new location of the clinic. It was amazing how receptive the people were to getting the fliers. In the US people would have either ignored us or tossed it they first chance the got. But the people here actually asked us for it if they didn't get one. It was fun. But we had to be careful to not make eye contact with the men or pet the street dogs (these were Carrie's, instructions) neither have been super hard to follow, most men seem to know the "rule" of not making eye contact too and well the dogs are super dirty, i do feel bad for them though. We've considered bringing some of the dogs home so if any of you are interested let me know... ;) After helping at the clinic we went to the market and bought fruit and vegetables and sandwich material. The sandwiches we had were amazing. The bread was so good, like a crunchy hoggie role. And then we put avacado and cucumbers (some people put tomatoes, yuk) on the sandwich with meat and blanco queso (white cheese). We also made limade. And I'm glad to report that no one has gotten sick at all. God is good.
Oh and after lunch we got to go up on top to the roof of the house, it was such a great view, i'll try to include a picture. I loved being able to be on the roof. All the houses here are like that. So on the top of their roof we could see everyone elses with the laundry strung up, and the dogs on top. :) I want a house with an accessable roof to lounge on. Oh and it's fun because all the houses here have courtyards. I like that too.
Today we went to the pyramids which were built by an ancient civilazation. I thought it was the Aztecs but Sarah informed me that the Aztecs overtook them but they didn't build them. It was really really cool. Again you'll have to see the pics. It was an amazing workout. Sarah and I and then another girl April were the only ones to go all the way up both pyramids. We were pretty proud of ourselves. We were also proud of ourselves for being able to "no gracias" to all the vendors and not get followed around or swindled into buying someone we didn't want. I did buy a really pretty bracelet though for only $6, me and Sarah were able to talk him down to almost half the original price (i still kinda think we got a little ripped of though... :) ) It was a great day.
Oh one more thing. I know this is so long, but you guys know, once I get started I just can't stop. You can always take a break from reading if you need to. So before we left we were under the impression that we were going to have to travel in a group of "ten" because of how dangerous the city was ect. but actually because of Carlos and Carries wonderful wisdom we've been able to have alot more freedom. After the pyramids Sarah and I were able to take a walk down the block to the little market. It was so great. Again you'll have to see the pics. We just have to be careful crossing the streets because pedestrians defiently do not have the right of way.
Ok well I better go because we have to wake up early for church tomorrow. Which i'm really excited about by the way, church not waking up early. :) I will try to write an entry about how it goes. And then after church we're gonna have a superbowl party! I told everyone it was tradition in my family to bet on the game...
Love you all so much.
Please pray for my spanish to dramatically improve and for clinicals which we start on Monday. We'll be at the RedCross, we are all pretty aprehensive but we know that our trust and provision is in the Lord!
Oh and the very last thing I'd like to let you all know is that I have now been to a Mexican Walmart.