Mach's gut Merida, hello Mexico City

The second most important meal of the day was the second breakfast! I had a conversation with Clemente from Mexico City on Saturday in Merida over a coffee and a croissant. He had to learn German for his philosophy studies, which he spoke fluently, impressive. After all the North Americans and Western Europeans, I was excited to have a conversation with a local. Conversations often failed due to the language barrier, which I had underestimated a bit. English as a foreign language was by no means widespread in Mexico.

With Clemente, we discussed society and politics: 80 years of PRI one-party rule, the transition to the economically liberal PAN, and the currently ruling left movement MORENA. The name of the movement, Movimiento Restitución Nacional, was tactically cleverly chosen. Morena, the Brown, was also the colloquial name of the colored Virgin of Guadalupe, the patron saint of the Indians and Mestizos.

Clemente attributed the problems of the former left-revolutionary PRI to the grandchildren's generation, who mainly received their education at US American universities, where only market liberalization was taught in the 70s / 80s. Highlights of the decline were the peso crisis in the early 80s and joining the North American trade bloc NAFTA.

In the evening, it was time to say goodbye to Merida and Hostel Hostik, reserve a taxi for the next morning, and set my alarm for 4:30 a.m., which was extremely risky in an 8-bed room. I woke up 10 minutes before the alarm went off.

At the airport, I followed the advice not to check in my cargo baggage. I easily brought my backpack and duffel bag into the cabin, saving $30.

Arrival in Mexico City on Sunday afternoon. Business life was on hold in Mexico on Sundays. Therefore, in the afternoon, the city dwellers flocked to the numerous green areas. At first sight, I was very impressed by the city.