Mexio Streets

Mexico Blog

27 June 2012 11:00PM

A few things to ponder

 

Most kids living on the streets die between the ages of 25 – 28.

Today we had planned to go to Tepito, but I was sick and wanted to stay local so the rest of the team decided to re schedule as well. One of the worst districts in Mexico City I’m told, and there just happened to be a shoot-out when we would have been there. So glad I was sick!

I learned that street children in Mexico City can make as much as four times the minimum wage by working as fakirs — laying on top of broken glass, eating fire etc. Why would anyone pay a kid to do that? I did witness a kid spread his cloth and glass on the ground but when he saw my camera he soon ran off.

 

As from tomorrow no one will be able to purchase alcohol anywhere – supermarket – cantina – restaurant – anywhere in Mexico. Not until after the election on Sunday. Can’t have anyone voting under the influence now.

How interesting is that?

Mexico Blog – I’m Back

Mexico Blog

27 June 2012 09:00PM

I’m back.

S-o-o-o,  a couple of hours to chill and the next appointment was with yet again a lovely Mexican guy, this time one that I had the privilege of meeting several years ago during a British Airways fiasco. We have kept in touch ever since and although it truly turned out to be a nightmare flight, and was aborted 3 times, I have continued to fly BA ever since with every satisfaction. On that occasion having spent hours hanging around at Mexico City airport, I think several friendships were birthed. By the time we received the all clear to fly, most of the passengers had taken an alternative flight however, including my new friend. Quite simply I was too exhausted to contemplate flying to the USA or some other destination, and take a connecting flight, so I waited for departure clearance of my direct flight to London. I was very wary I have to say and as the flight finally departed with practically no passengers, I did send one of the biggest prayers of my life to the heavenly realm. Clearly I lived to see another day.

 It sometimes pays to keep in touch with people and all too often we exchange business cards to soon forget. This man has proven to be a great contact and mentioning no names, a big thank you if you read this blog.

Then off to my final meeting of the day, one of the owners of the Mexican food chain el Farolito. Now what is Anna doing? Well if you ever visit London and like Mexican food check out Lupita in Villiers Street and you will find the connection.

Think that’s enough meetings in one day.

Anna

Mexico 0.6

Mexico Blog

27 June 2012 02:00PM

Day 5

Need to tell you more about yesterday on the streets, so it seems I’m blogging backwards because I haven’t told you about day 5 as yet, and now its day 7. Get it?

OK day 5 which was Monday, had been reserved for meetings and we certainly packed them in. Starting with the first meeting down-town with one of the Institutions working with street kids, I arrived on time – surprisingly with the Mexico city traffic – to be greeted and told it was great to see us and we should arrange a meeting. W-h-a-t !  Didn’t we just do that? Arranged 2 weeks ago from the UK and confirmed several times by email. ¡No comprendo! O.K Is this how they do business in Mexico? I’m learning! I arranged a meeting for the next day but something was bubbly inside. Uhm! Better not upset anyone just yet and I’m a big believer in second chances.

To the next meeting, but with a couple of hours to spare being that my first meeting was not a meeting after all; time to stop off on the way for coffee in a delightful little coffee shop / bar / or something –  whatever they call them in Mexico – and enjoy coffee and sunshine in a leafy corner. My travelling companion on this occasion just so happens to be Mexican which is rather nice as I usually travel alone; – on this trip something told me that I needed back-up. We did leave ample time to get to our next meeting with the very prestigious law firm near the picturesque Chapultepec Park, until we realised the hire car had been clamped. Ooops! Well we did get free fairly quickly by some miraculous force but it cost 500 pesos. Not pleased…

I didn’t mention that we were up particularly early and a good thing too as Rebeca – she won’t mind me mentioning her time – was having hysterical moments as all her social network sights and personal emails had been hacked, with unpleasant consequences.

So far, not a good day. The next question, did we have enough ID to get into the officers to see this lawyer and quite frankly, I wasn’t even sure why I had made an appointment with him in the first place. It just sort of felt right having met him in the UK during Mexico Week, earlier in the year. AND, he happened to be great friends with another Mexican gentleman who I had the privilege of meeting many years ago, who has held several Government positions and just so happens to be a movie producer. Uhm!

Getting interesting? May be!

They did finally let us in though we had to park in the barrels of the earth – I hate being underground –  after producing 2 pieces of ID, smiling into the camera and being videotaped.  Then a further check point, the issue of security passes and a frisk. Only joking! Think it might have been easier to get into Buckingham Palace though, but this is Mexico City after all. Is it possible to love it and hate it at the same time?

The meeting went well. Our hosts were gentleman. And I presented suggestions as to how we might work together in the future. Am I crazy or what? Well I just think this is a trail I seem to be following that is going to have interesting consequences. So stay tuned. Besides it was worth going to see these guys just for the spectacular views of the city. I didn’t have a clue what floor the elevator took us to, and dare not ask. I hate heights.

So this amazing city of contrasts, leads me to ask many questions which may never be answered.

I must tell you about the other two meetings but just signing out for a moment. Things to do!

Oh! I have just been told Chapultepec Park is otherwise known as Grasshopper Hill and is the largest city park in the world. And I thought it was Hyde Park.

 

Anna

Mexico 0.5

Mexico Blog

26 June 2012 10:00PM

Day 6 in Mexico and whilst I need to blog some of yesterday’s amazing events I’m now collapsed on the bed having refused an invitation to dine out and I can’t even eat the burger and fries that I had room-service bring a couple of hours ago. What a contrast to some 24 hours ago and it’s hard to believe this is the same city. Even the same world! Where do I begin to tell you how horrible I feel and do you really care? The truth is, it would do some of these Hollywood wives good to spend the day where I was today although thinking about it, I doubt they would have lasted 10 minutes. As for people like Carlos Slim, the richest man in the world – and a Mexican. Has he ever really experienced anything so awful I wonder?  Few people have. They hear about it. They read about it. They talk about it. But to experience it first hand may just change your life.  And this is not about insulting Carlos as I don’t know anything about the man, nor what he does with his billions. But I sure would like to meet him.

So, how do I feel after today on the streets down-town in Mexico City? The answer is quite simple. Sick!

I have never seen so many young kids out of their minds, nor been in an environment where I have inhaled so much junk, that at one point I felt so nauseous and completely stoned I had to get out of there for a while. Thanks be to God that everyone decided to take a walk to the local square for a game of football and I managed to breathe some fresher air. Note I don’t say FRESH. This is Mexico City after all.

So much to tell you and I did get loads of photos after gaining the confidence of some of the kids. I was even invited in to see where one girl lived. Of which she was very proud. Uhm! I will post some of the pictures and tell more tomorrow ‘cos now, I NEED to sleep. Oh!  First I need to contact a very helpful police officer who I met today. It was quite an eventful day to say the least especially when the police swooped one of the groups I was with and made a couple of arrests. Can you believe it – mentioning no names because I don’t want to be unprofessional – but the street team that we had gone out with did a runner when the police arrived.  Not one of the officers spoke any English which surprised me, but guess what? Suddenly my Spanish improved!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Will blog more when had some sleep. I’m stoned!

Anna

Mexico 0.4

Mexico Blog

26 June 2012 08:00AM

Will let you know what happened yesterday later, but a very productive day!

Meanwhile, out on the streets today. I can’t believe it. Some of the children that I met behind the metro in 2003, living in their disgusting shelter are still here. Much older of course!!!!!

Chat soon.

Anna

Mexico

Good things happening, stay tuned a new post is coming later today!

Mexico Blog 0.3

Mexico Blog

21 June 2012 08:00PM

A good night’s sleep and I expected to wake up to sunshine and probably that jet-lag disorientation sort of feeling. Not so. I felt just fine, other than the fact that the hotel didn’t provide any form of tea or coffee making facilities in the room and I was desperate for that good old cup of English breakfast tea. Peering through the windows all I could think was this is Mexico so what happened!

It’s the rainy season, that’s what happened. Blast. It feels like home. It’s cold and wet which immediately led me to think of all the kids who slept out last night on the city streets. Uhm!

In spite of the grim weather today turned out to be just as I had hoped; – a relaxing settling in day and an opportunity to catch up with my great Mexican friend who I have described these past few years as no less than a sister. What I had forgotten was how crazy she was, and how crazy I became when I was in her company. Needless to say it became a crazy afternoon to be concluded when some nut-case jumped into the hotel swimming pool in his clothes. Yes, some hotels in Mexico City do have swimming pools, though they tend to be on the roof. Clearly the water must have been freezing, even though the rain finally passed and the sun tried to shine. Do you think he had consumed too many tequilas, even at this early hour?

Now helicopters keep landing on the roof, so that gives you a clue that this hotel pool is not on the roof, but something clearly is going on. Is there a party that I haven’t been invited to? It’s a shame but, I am only checked into this hotel for 3 nights and then I’m moving into an apartment. I would love to stay here ‘cos there’s a real buzz, but the visa card is not happy with the prospect and not very flexible at the moment.

So the first day over having been reminded of how great Mexican food really is, I’m now chilling and watching CNN, American Network and some Mexican soap – not all at the same time of course!   

I forgot how much I love Amanpour, Dr. Phill and Mexican comedy.

Tomorrow the work begins.

Habla pronto.

Anna

Mexico Blog 0.2

Mexico Blog

20 June 2012 03:00PM

So far, so good.

No flight delays, in fact the journey planner and moving map shows we are somewhere on a flight path between Dallas and Tampa on the last stretch of the journey, about 2 hours 20 to go. I’m told the flight is choca with business class brimming over, economy bursting at the seams and a few empty seats in First class. As for me gone are the days when I could afford business class but a World Traveller plus or Economy Plus if you don’t know what that is, has turned out to be rather pleasant. Even more so because it was a last minute cancellation and heavily discounted leaving me truly blessed, added to which no-one turned up for the seat beside me so I had privacy and extra elbow room.

Can’t believe I keep turning down offers of a quality red wine and keep drinking water. Sometimes I’m just too sensible and now Little Miss Desperado needs the loo and the captain has put the fasten your seat belts sign on. HELP!

Prayer answered, 20mins later and I can go. Thanks be to God!

So looking at my watch Butler and Gracie will be in bed, that’s for sure. Awh! Wonder if they’ll miss me? 11.10 UK time but with a 6 hour time difference, the night is still young in Distrito Federal. It’s the rainy season now so looks like I will be landing to those late afternoon, early evening showers. What’s new? For sure, that sounds like home.

Hey, just thought I’d mention;-

Altura                                                34000ft

Velocidad                                           525mph

Distance to destination                        797 miles

E.T.A                                                 19.03 local time

And fast approaching…

 

Habla pronto

Anna

Mexico Blog 0.1

Mexico Blog

20 June 2012 10:00AM

This is it, finally on my way and I suppose well overdue. I have been so busy in the UK that it’s hard to believe I have not been to Mexico at all this past 2 years. So one of the leading questions will undoubtedly be; what’s changed and is it for the better?

It was manic in the office just before I left with meetings to finalise the Chavos Ball, ideas for fundraising events being bantered around,  several books under review prior to print, end of year accounts, and tons of other things which I will not bore you with  because I want to chat about the task in hand, Mexico! Thankfully I’ll be there and back before the Olympic madness hits London because I would hate to be flying into Heathrow amidst all that. Although I will be in Mexico City during the elections so I could get caught up in any amount of stuff and nonsense depending on the results.

I was in the city in 2006 during the elections when Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador lost to Felipe Calderon and insisted it was a fix. Mexico City fell into chaos for quite some time whilst he encouraged thousands of people to take to the streets and demonstrate their support for him, demanding a re-count. Thank goodness I was staying on that occasion with my Mexican friends and not in a hotel on the Paseo de la Reforma, as I understand some of the hotels were actually closed due to the chaos.  

Well as we know Lopez Obrador finally conceded defeat but it seems he’s standing again. We wait with baited breath.

So, Manchester  to Mexico City via Heathrow, I’m airborne.

A busy itinerary awaits me.

Keep you posted.

Anna

Laughter

17 June 2012 06:00PM

 

Children, aren’t they just adorable!  I took my little dogs Butler and Gracie for a walk during the weekend showers, this being the third attempt having set off twice and the heavens opened. This time I decided it was tough and we would just have to get wet or shelter under a big tree or something. My little granddaughter was with me and we just so happened to be in a village where I used to live some 24 years ago. Now that makes me sound old doesn’t it?  Anyway, passing through a quiet cul-de-sac with a few pretty detached properties I pointed to one that had a For Sale sign in the garden and told her that I once lived there with her mummy, when she was a little girl. My granddaughter asked me who I sold the house to, not that I had the faintest idea after all those years of course, and then she pointed to the sign, and exclaimed.  ‘Look Nanny! The For Sale sign is still in the garden. Why didn’t they ever take it down?’   Orrrrrrrrhhhhhh. Bless. 

 I just adore her and I am looking forward to our holiday, just the two of us, when I return from my Mexico trip.  It’s off to Spain we go with a bucket and spade and a …..whatever. And why are the air fares so expensive in the school holidays? It’s disgusting!

 I remember the last time that I took her away we had so many magical moments. On one occasion we shared the elevator with a man on his way to the restaurant for an evening meal. By the time we arrived, bearing in mind it was only 3 floors, she had chatted to him, introduced ourselves, and I suppose one might say, orchestrated a date for nanny, because he then proceeded to ask us to join him for dinner, which he happily paid for.  I do see the dangers in chatting to strangers of course, and we did discuss this but I had to laugh.

If you want a date go out with your granddaughter.

If you’re wondering what happened next, I didn’t see him again, though we did have some pleasant conversation and exchange business cards.

I did like it when he said I looked too young to be a grandma and he thought I was her mother.

Men…flattery will get you everywhere. Not really!

 

Chat soon.

Anna

P.S. Go to Mexico in 48 hours so watch this space.