Monday morning I ate breakfast and was off to Zocalo (the city center). As much I greatly appreciate the sisters hosting me, to be honest I was ready to be on my own again. Independent with no set schedule, freedom to go where I want when I want, eat what I want, and also not feel guilty everytime they pray (which is quite frequent) that I have tattoos, don't go to church and have a boyfriend (gasp!). Not to mention, I hadnt seen the famous plaza and ruins of the old temples from thousands of years ago. NOR had I had spicy cheap street food.

So I arrived to Zocalo mesmerized. I'm staying in a nice hostel a few blocks from the main plaza. The cathedral is beautiful, inside and out. It's incredible. Not to mention the architecture of the large plaza buildings where San Cristobal (Christopher Colombus) and other famous men worked. Outside of the cathedral are about 100 vendors selling dirt-cheap artesenia. I was a little concerned whether it was actually from China, but they swore it was "Hecho en Mexico." in any case, it didnt stop me because I love love love their leather work (shoes, bracelets, bags) and the Aztec symbols like the specific Gods and the Aztec calendar.

So there are two very important things we need to discuss: food and language. Food, as you all know very well I have been fantasizing about Mexican food since... I left home. There is food I've never seen before but all from the same things: corn, beans, chili, cheese, cilantro and onion. Basically heaven in many different forms. I ate 3 tacos for less than $2. Real, authentic, mouthwatering tacos al pastor. It doesn't get much better than that. I also ate a new food called Calubri (or something like that lol I knew I'd never remember the word) which is a large toasted tortilla made of nopal (cactus) topped with retried beans, salsa, cilantro, onion and cheese. It's great but impossible to eat without looking like barbarian (I didn't mind that part actually, anyone who has eaten it understands).

The other thing is language, I can't express it enough how much I love Spanish. It just warms my heart to hear it, especially the way Mexicans speak. Maybe because I'm more exposed to it in San Diego and Tijuana, friends and the people i used to volunteer with. I don't know but one of the sisters in Chalco spent 6 years in the school in Brasilia before and she explained it perfectly: Spanish is more complete. They speak using all of the letters (unlike Portuguese which has more open nasal sounds) and it's a romantic language that you can express yourself completely. There are words in Spanish that English and Portuguese just dont have. The classic Mexican music like Ranchera and Bolero is so romantic and sung with so much passion. I'll probably continue to study Portuguese just to not lose what I'd already learned (plus if I stay with Ricardo, it's nice to communicate with his family), but I don't know if any language can compare to Spanish.

Now I only have one full day left and I'm thinking a big cheesy red tour bus might be the way to go in order to fit everything in without getting lost. That's ok, even though I wish I had more time here (and especially wish Fanny was here to enjoy with me!) I still can't wait to go home and see everyone. I can't believe it's so close! I wonder how long before I get the itch to travel again :-). I think I've learned my lesson though, no more living in third world countries on a low budget where they dont have corn tortillas. Just visiting will be enough for me from now on.