It’s been a while since my last update and few patrons have been asking. Here I am, stuck in an airport hotel (well, due to my profound stupidity of missing my flights).
This is a well needed vacation after months of working on cloud security. While I like my team, nevertheless I wasn’t ready to work that hard.
Day 1
My coworker picked me up from my apartment sent me my way to South
some gruesome hours landed in Dallas
I actually didn’t realize how massive DFW airport can be. The skytrain takes like a solid half an hour to loop around.
I was surprised to see how this tiny airport has so many United/AA/Delta planes parked there.
After immigration, it was way past midnight and a quick Uber ride (about 40min for $20ish) to my hostal. The reception went to back and the owner left the key in a hidden place outside the hostal
Though, for some reasons he put me in a female dorm that night (I suspect it was because the male dorms were full since it was Saturday night)
My body definitely struggled to shut down due to being in a new environment and the heat.
Day 2
As soon as I got up, I was greeted by Roman, who’s volunteering at the hostal, in Chinese asking if I speak Mandarin. Turns out that he’d studied in Taiwan for 3 years after having studied in the USA. He grew up bilingual (English & Spanish) in Northern Mexico as well. We quickly bonded as a result. He’s doing his soul searching bouncing around cities to cities – not so different than what I am doing
With any ups there bounds to have some downs. As always, it’s always with the Brits. I asked this old retiree if he’s from the USA since it’s logic to expect someone White to be from and I had previously only greeted him in Spanish. He just went on and on “educating” me about why I shouldn’t assume he’s from the USA. I don’t get why people stay in hostals when a simple “no, actually I am British” would do. Later on, he even whined about why I couldn’t tell from accent and how Americans always assume he’s from Australia. I am sorry, old Brit, your irrelevance probably doesn’t help. Besides, you think everyone should speak English to you while traveling in Latin America for years is just nuts.
I decided to take a stroll around the city while waiting for Roman to finish up his work.
Cloudless day means it was also warm. I stopped at a local bar for a drink and managed to know a local from Queretaro where he also took his family 4 kids and wife on a world trip. Nevertheless, he just kept buying me drinks and even checked on me a few days later. Let me just say that this city just is full of surprises
After Roman finished work, he took me out for lunch at his favorite local spot
After a short afternoon break, I wanted to see an Art museum
Of course, all museums in the city are also free.
A few hours after the celebration ended with fireworks
The other guys from the hostal wanted to go out. I was ready for bed at this point and partially was that I wanted to do a hike the following day.
Day 3
hopped on a local bus to see the Peña de Bernal
In about an hour, I got the foot of the rock.
It’s actually way shorter than I thought (about 1km one way.)
I had a quick nap on the bus, the traffic was bad. So took quite a while to get back to the hostel. I wanted to cook some Chinese, but the market was already closed at 5pm
We decided to venture out to the city supermarket
Unfortunately, I didn’t have any pictures of the food. I did some stir fry and a soup. It was lovely with everyone tasting. I suggested to Roman that he could open a stir fry stand in town. He cleaned up the kitchen and packed the left over, a good husband material for sure. I did ask him about how many marriage proposals he’d received when he’s in Taiwan.
Day 4
Meander day.
Went to a city garden
Museum time
There are some exotic images and entire exhibit dedicated to LGBT rights and gender role. Let’s just say, latinos are hung.
Day 5
Woke up early enough to say goodbye to Roman. I think hostal life is to force 3-4hr sleep time and somehow still managed to function fine. I guess less is more. I definitely feel more accomplished whilst staying in dorms.
I tried this BlaBlaCar thingy, which didn’t really work in my favor. Buses are just also way more comfortable.
For some reasons, my hotel doesn’t serve alcohol. I had to get some hydrations for lunch before my afternoon walking tour
Obviously, pictures are great on camera thus why influx of tourists. The city itself is quite small and a bit boring if not lack of substance (I mean, that’s just about everything Americans have touched?)
Sunset time
Followed my walking tour guide’s suggestion I went to this legendary restaurant
It was a great night and I slept for like 12hr straight.
Day 6
Another great morning for some strolling around town
Turns out the botanical garden was the highlight of the city. I think it was just the first time I did a guided tour through the desert environment
The guide who’s British (well, there are also good Brits) moved to the city 17 years ago after working in the Vancouver as a gardener for a few decades. He’s happy just to do what he loves the most (obviously he’d not accept our tips).
Went back town for lunch
Later I went to the local high end supermarket. I didn’t take any pictures but it was fun to be able to do dine and wine taste while shopping. The Mexicans definitely figured out something we couldn’t
Day 7
Last day in town. To be honest, I was really to leave but somehow I booked the night because it was Friday and didn’t want to be forced to find another accommodation
Found a Tiktok stop by accident and obviously bumped into a group of Seattle visitors
beer time
On my way back to the hotel I managed to find the only “local” restaurant in town
More sunsets
Expenses
| Week 55 | Currency: | MXN | 20.177359 | |||
| Day | Food&Drink | Lodging | Transportation | Other (tickets/tours etc) | Day total | Country |
| 1 | $0.00 | $13.92 | $245.61 | $0.00 | $259.52 | Mexico |
| 2 | $34.61 | $13.92 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $48.53 | Mexico |
| 3 | $56.34 | $13.38 | $15.23 | $2.18 | $87.14 | Mexico |
| 4 | $39.58 | $13.38 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $52.96 | Mexico |
| 5 | $63.70 | $35.17 | $14.43 | $28.37 | $141.67 | Mexico |
| 6 | $58.87 | $35.17 | $0.00 | $14.60 | $108.64 | Mexico |
| 7 | $46.21 | $35.17 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $81.38 | Mexico |
| $299.32 | $160.09 | $275.27 | $45.15 | |||
| Total | Grand Total: | $779.84 |
Missing flights and ending up in an airport hotel can be frustrating, but it sounds like you made the best of it and turned it into a well-deserved vacation.
Landing in Querétaro with so many United/AA/Delta planes does sound surprising.
That is great about your bonding adventures with Roman.
And, funny and sad how British people always have the most annoying discussions with you. I always look forward to hear what silliness you will run into on each trip with someone British!
All of your photos of adventures and food and drink look lovely!
Many Americans love to say all food out of the US is amazing regardless of how bland. I laughed when I read your comment there.
Fox, ¡eres un chingón!
chinga tu madre! jk, last thing i’ve learned in mexico