Monday, July 30, 2007
Lucha libre
What´s lucha libre? Think American style wrestling but with a Latino Machismo and jalapeños and you´re almost there. We could have gone on an organised trip but that´s not me. So we went to the "Taquilla" ticket office at the arena. That turned in to an experience in its self. There were loads of touts trying to sell the best tickets, so to save cash I went to the taquilla. Now those who know me have a good idea that my Spanish is getting ok, but I was struggling in this situation. There was a mirrored window that you need to talk in to - like having a conversation with your self, only hearing this other voice as well.
Later that evening we went back to the arena. Now it was almost unrecognisable with stalls selling masks and toys of all your favourite wresters. After being frisked we went in and we were greeted with a wall of sound. The wrestling its self was great to watch. I know it´s not real but those guys do have some great gymnastic abitity, and they kept Lisa entertained with their pecs. I also learned some more Spanish profanities.
We left before the end. We were a distance from the hostel and there was going to be 17,000 people on the streets. Maybe a wise choice to leave early.
If you get the chance to go, go.
Later that evening we went back to the arena. Now it was almost unrecognisable with stalls selling masks and toys of all your favourite wresters. After being frisked we went in and we were greeted with a wall of sound. The wrestling its self was great to watch. I know it´s not real but those guys do have some great gymnastic abitity, and they kept Lisa entertained with their pecs. I also learned some more Spanish profanities.
We left before the end. We were a distance from the hostel and there was going to be 17,000 people on the streets. Maybe a wise choice to leave early.
If you get the chance to go, go.
Sunday, July 29, 2007
Mexico city
I´ve been to Mexico twice before and in my quite recent past. I thought that I would not be shocked by it when I arrived. I guess I´ve been living in London too long. This is the story.
We arrived at Mexico city airport and we got on the metro to get into the centre of town. On the metro in this country there is always someone selling something or trying to make some money. This guy got on carrying some canvas with something inside. The something inside turned out to be broken glass. He rolled out the cavas and arranged the shards of glass and did a forward roll on to the glass. I, stupidly was expecting him to get up with not a mark on his back. But, big but, this is Mexico. He got up and showed everyone all the cuts and gashes on his back. And I do mean gashes! Welcome to mexico!
We arrived at Mexico city airport and we got on the metro to get into the centre of town. On the metro in this country there is always someone selling something or trying to make some money. This guy got on carrying some canvas with something inside. The something inside turned out to be broken glass. He rolled out the cavas and arranged the shards of glass and did a forward roll on to the glass. I, stupidly was expecting him to get up with not a mark on his back. But, big but, this is Mexico. He got up and showed everyone all the cuts and gashes on his back. And I do mean gashes! Welcome to mexico!
Friday, July 27, 2007
New York
Well after a very bumpy flight we arrived in fog. I was expecting the Manhattan Skyline but what I got was buildings trunkated by fog. We had a walk up to time square and but it was very wet and very humid. We went back to base to dry off and the weather seemed to do the same thing.
We went out to see the Chelsea´s Monday-night night-life. We ended up in the McManus bar drinking McManus beer, and talking to a voice over agent called Shari. The strange thing was that she had spent some time back in the 80s in London, not strange I know, but get this she was married in the Camberwell registrary office just down the road from where I used to live. Small world!
The day after we went to the Empire State building to see the view from the top and on this day there was a view, no fog, just blue sky and sunshine. At $16 it seems a bit expensive but in New York you get your money´s worth, as it´s a spot the iconathon.
We went out to see the Chelsea´s Monday-night night-life. We ended up in the McManus bar drinking McManus beer, and talking to a voice over agent called Shari. The strange thing was that she had spent some time back in the 80s in London, not strange I know, but get this she was married in the Camberwell registrary office just down the road from where I used to live. Small world!
The day after we went to the Empire State building to see the view from the top and on this day there was a view, no fog, just blue sky and sunshine. At $16 it seems a bit expensive but in New York you get your money´s worth, as it´s a spot the iconathon.
Tuesday, July 17, 2007
Last day at the MHRA.
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Today is my last day at the MHRA before tidying up the last few loose ends and then I'm off to the Americas for 6 months. I can't believe that it's over a year since I was finishing at the MRC and was leaving for Spain. Do I like this stress!
After work all the guys went to Cafe Rez and we stopped there until we were the last people there. OK, that was only 9pm, it's a quiet place alright!
See ya guys, take care all.
Thursday, July 12, 2007
Packing
Ok, it's not long now and I'm just starting to panic. The big trip is only a couple of weeks away.
I nearly have everything I need, just little things that keep coming to mind that may be of use. Then again can we do without them and keep our rucksacks to the minimum, or to use the new retronym I recently learned "top-loader".
Thinking back about 6 months in a walking shop in London, a shop assistant was trying to convince me that I needed the type of rucksack lots of the Aussies seem to use, the sort with a zip on day pack. And do you know I started to buy into it, I think it's so easy to forget everything you learn about traveling and then next time make the same mistakes. Also, with living in London you see backpackers/travelers all the time and they always have big bags, so it must be the way to do it. Or do we just not see the other backpackers because they don't look so conspicuous.
After reading the following site, which I can't recommend enough, I changed.
http://travelindependent.info/
I'm totally convinced that "light" is the way to travel. So the rucksack I've chosen to take is a Black Karrimor Sabre 45. Yes, 45 litres. I intend on filling it to about 30 litres full with 15 litres spare - kit tends to swell when not packed well. Also it's much easier to find something in a bag which is not packed solid.
I'm sure it's the right move.
Having said that, the above website could be improved or for that matter all the other websites I've seen on the same subject matter, my suggestion is as follows:
Step 1: Get out everything you are planning on taking.
Step 2: Pack it into your rucksack or rucksacks. I've seen people with at a guess 75 litre one on their back and a 20 on their front, borrow these rucksacks for a day if need be. If this is what it takes to carry your stuff so be it.
Step 3: Buy a one day travel card and take a trip around town, rush hour would be a good time.
Step 4: If you have packed jeans take them out and wash them in the shower and hang them up to dry in the shower.
While your jeans are drying and with all the stress you experience/trip around town fresh in your mind you will now almost be in the right frame of mind to start the packing process. After a few days of dodging your dripping jeans in the shower and thinking how bad it would be doing your little trip around town, if it was as hot as Central America and you didn't know where you were going etc you'll be ready to read the advice in the website and understand it.
I nearly have everything I need, just little things that keep coming to mind that may be of use. Then again can we do without them and keep our rucksacks to the minimum, or to use the new retronym I recently learned "top-loader".
Thinking back about 6 months in a walking shop in London, a shop assistant was trying to convince me that I needed the type of rucksack lots of the Aussies seem to use, the sort with a zip on day pack. And do you know I started to buy into it, I think it's so easy to forget everything you learn about traveling and then next time make the same mistakes. Also, with living in London you see backpackers/travelers all the time and they always have big bags, so it must be the way to do it. Or do we just not see the other backpackers because they don't look so conspicuous.
After reading the following site, which I can't recommend enough, I changed.
http://travelindependent.info/
I'm totally convinced that "light" is the way to travel. So the rucksack I've chosen to take is a Black Karrimor Sabre 45. Yes, 45 litres. I intend on filling it to about 30 litres full with 15 litres spare - kit tends to swell when not packed well. Also it's much easier to find something in a bag which is not packed solid.
I'm sure it's the right move.
Having said that, the above website could be improved or for that matter all the other websites I've seen on the same subject matter, my suggestion is as follows:
Step 1: Get out everything you are planning on taking.
Step 2: Pack it into your rucksack or rucksacks. I've seen people with at a guess 75 litre one on their back and a 20 on their front, borrow these rucksacks for a day if need be. If this is what it takes to carry your stuff so be it.
Step 3: Buy a one day travel card and take a trip around town, rush hour would be a good time.
Step 4: If you have packed jeans take them out and wash them in the shower and hang them up to dry in the shower.
While your jeans are drying and with all the stress you experience/trip around town fresh in your mind you will now almost be in the right frame of mind to start the packing process. After a few days of dodging your dripping jeans in the shower and thinking how bad it would be doing your little trip around town, if it was as hot as Central America and you didn't know where you were going etc you'll be ready to read the advice in the website and understand it.
