Mexico – Day 0: Home → CDG → MEX

So, today was finally the day we had been working towards for so long. Honestly, the last few weeks were probably extra stressful because we were both trying to wrap up our work responsibilities in time for the holiday and hand everything over cleanly.

But now the moment had come. We got a lift to the airport, and then everything went as smoothly as it possibly could, right up until we were in Paris.

There they kept us waiting in salami slices, another 40 minutes, and another 40 minutes, until we finally took off almost three hours late and landed two hours late.

I can't recommend an A350 for nearly 12 hours, by the way. We did have bulkhead seats with legroom, and our seat neighbour was a very petite woman, but the seats themselves were just a little too narrow for my taste. (Or I have gained weight.)

Luckily the flight home goes via Toronto on a bigger aircraft.

Anyway, as I said: we arrived.

The exit from baggage claim was confusing at first. We walked to the wrong one and got sent back. We had to return to where our baggage belt was.

They had probably already tipped off the inspectors. In any case, we had to open our suitcases.

I didn't get it at all and assumed this was about explosives. When she looked quizzically at the drone, I explained that it was a drone. She wanted to know what it cost. I guessed at 200 dollars.

Only later did I realise this was actually customs and she was looking for valuables. But they weren't wearing proper uniforms either, just high-vis vests.

Well, that held us up another five minutes. After that: cash from the ATM, water bought.

The driver from the hotel, or rather the apartment, had patiently waited the whole two hours for us. My partner had organised all of that brilliantly over WhatsApp.

And in the taxi I let loose my first few chunks of Spanish. Although I have to admit that 260 days of Duolingo didn't help all that much. I don't think I can even do all the numbers up to ten.

Then we were at the apartment.

There, with a lot of effort and Apple's translation app, we finally got the codes for the apartment and for the complex.

On one side a loud bar with music (though by now without guests), on the other a street that will probably get loud tomorrow. The apartment itself is great, though. We have two beds, so we can switch. 😉

Back home you have already had breakfast; here it is nearly 1 in the morning.

Now one more shower, and then we will see how the jet lag hits us and our plans for tomorrow.