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Yay! I'm finally writing the blog for the place i'm actually in!
So I left Cuba on Monday 4th February 2008. After a minor issue on the Sunday night with the locking of the door at our hotel in Cayo Levisa, we discovered Monday morning that we were actually locked in. I'm still not quite sure how that happened, but luckily we spotted Emma and Dan out the window as soon as we realised the problem, and after the we're not waving we need your help was understood we just passed the key out the window for the door to be unlocked from the outside. Then it was a 25 minute boat ride and a bus journey of a couple of hours to get us back to Habana. I left my backpack at the Hotel Lincoln behind reception and went off on a mission to get more photos of Habana before joining the rest of the group at the Jazz Cafe for lunch. Otto met us there too. It was a farewell lunch and I was fine until I had to say goodbye and then I got butterflies. I'd only known most of the group for a couple of weeks, and a few for less than that, but I felt like I'd known them all for ages. Thankfully, Emma and I were on the same flight to Mexico City so we left together which made it a bit easier. We got to the airport at 3.30 for our 5.05 flight, and in an amazing flurry of girly efficiency, we sorted all the formalities plus fitted in drinks, souvenirs and jewellery shopping. The only problem with our later than planned arrival at the airport was that we didn't get to sit together, the flight was full. It was a turbulent flight, particularly when we took off and went through the clouds, so I was a little scared and so glad to land safely. Unfortunately it was after saying bye to Emma that things went a bit wrong. My itinery said that I would be departing from Terminal 1, which is where I'd landed, so I stayed put and passed the time waiting for a gate number by changing money, drinking tea and reading lonely planet. As you do. Then, an hour before my connecting flight was due to take off at 9.15pm, the gate comes up and its in terminal 2. Now, Mexico City airport is massive, and the signs are not great, so even trying to found out which direction terminal 2 was in proved to be very complicated. Eventually I found out that I needed to go through immigration, where a couple of planeloads of people had just arrived. It wasn't good and I got a little upset as it became clear that I wasn't going to make my flight. It was so frustrating because it was so unnecessary for me to miss it. Anyway I tried to get to the gate just in case, but i`d missed it. After a lot of Spanglish, getting lost and numerous bags scans, I eventually managed to get back my backpack which luckily had been taken off the plane, and re booked my flight for free for 6.45 the next morning. I did try and get a shuttle to a hotel to get some shut eye, but that proved too complicated with the language barrier so I gave up and rang Barry instead. After some more sleepy tears I decided that I may as well stay at the airport. At least it was clean and safe and there was no danger of me sleeping in and missing another flight. It was the most uncomfortable night of my life, but I made it through finally and got on the flight on time, falling asleep before we even took off. I felt a million times better when I landed in Chihuahua on Tuesday morning, and was so relieved that I almost forgot about my rubbish first night in Mexico.
Tuesday I wrote off, deciding to stay an extra night to make up for the lost one, and so I spent most of the day sleeping and then eating a meal for the first time in almost 24 hours. I'm quite glad that I splurged and booked a really nice hotel for my first nights in Mexico, its made everything much easier. I was surprised at how cold it was when I arrived, in comparison to Cuba its freezing, but I think it was actually about 7 degrees when I landed.
Wednesday was my sightseeing day and I covered a lot of ground. Chihuahua is a well developed city and I instantly felt at home here. It was peaceful walking around clean streets without being asked for money or having someone try and sell me something I don't want. I had a morning of culture and history, starting at the Plaza de Armas and Cathedral, and moving onto the Museum of the Revolution in Quinta Luz and then Quinta Gameros. Quinta Luz will always stick in my mind for the details on Pancho Villas murder. Quinta Gameros was absolutely stunning and I was floored by how much I loved it. Its an art nouveau mansion that was built by Manuel Gameros for his fiancee, who ended up marrying the architect. It is absolutely gorgeous. Despite my clompy walking boots even I felt like a lady walking up the grand staircase.
I was a little disappointed to hear that the dog parade (literally brightly coloured statues of Chihuahuas that line some of the streets) only make an appearance in the summer, and I did have an expensive drive when I got a taxi to the Grutas Nobre de Dios only to find it was closed and I had to get straight back in the taxi. I did however do some clothes shopping in woolworths (the clothes I bought with me are getting worn quickly) and had a really good day.
Today (Thursday) I decided I would stay one final night in Chihuahua so I could get myself organised before I move onto Creel. I went and bought my train ticket for the Copper Canyon Railway today so that I can't change my mind and stay here any longer- I don't want to get too comfortable and miss other things. Buying the ticket today also means I'll probably get an extra half hour in bed which makes a difference when you're getting up at silly o clock in the morning. I then went back to the Grutas. Its basically a series of chambers linked by walkways in a mountain. Some of the formations have been named due to their appearance- there's the Grand Canyon, a palm tree, a dinosaur and my favourite was probably Don Quixote (a famous writer in Mexico I think). I didn't get claustrophobic at all so I was proud of myself. It was only a case of ducking in a few places but otheriwse there was plenty of space to move around. I was surprised at the humidity though, it made the handrails and the path slippery. The tour took an hour in total. It made me think of dad- this part of my trip with the caves and trains would be perfect for him.
Wow, I am offically up-to-date. I'm not sure I appreciated the commitment involved with these blogs- its hard work! As I said I'm off to Creel tomorrow morning. The train leaves Chihuahua at 6am (ouch!) and I should arrive in Creel around lunchtime. Until the next blog, I wish you all well- I'm knackered!
Sarah xxxxxxxx
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