In Merida

A little lazy and tired to go into great detail.

I was supposed to have a ~7 hour layover in caracas; which ended up being more like 11 hours. I befriended a couple nice ladies which was really fortunate. After our flight time came and went; they announced something (which I couldn't understand) and half the people got up and moved to another gate.

We were at gate 6; I had been there for hours. The ladies insisted we were on the same flight and that we should stay. However, I went to look at the sign, and it said our flight had been moved to gate 9. I walked to gate 9, and saw those people there, and on the sign it said my flight number. I asked the agent there (read: showed the agent my ticket and gesticulated) and she told me I was leaving from Gate 6.

Still not quite satisfied, I walked to gate 6; and did the same thing, and the guy there said I was leaving from gate 6. I tried to ask him why the signs were wrong and he told me my flight would be there in two hours.

But in the end, I arrived in El Vigia; 4-5 hours behind schedule and no one was there to meet me as I had been told. Not a big deal since I had only just realized I was told that in the first place; so easy come easy go I guess.

I didn't take any of the initial onslaught of cabs trying still to see if someone would come up to me saying they Marlene or Mercedes; but in the end that didn't happen. I got back in what I perceived to be the line for the cab; and a young guy (a kid, really) asked if I needed a cab. I said yes; and showed him the address. He said ok; I asked 'cuantos dolares' and swear I heard venticinco; and since I had been told the cab would be 25-30USD all seemed to be going smoothly.

I had 90 bolivares or so in my pocket which I knew wouldn'tbe enough to cover the cab so I was relieved that dollars was fine.

So we take an 80km or so can ride; where every cab he comes near was a pissing match. Red lights were barely worth slowing down for; but at least he had the courtesy to honk before going through green lights. The speed limit was definitely only as fast as he could drive and feel relatively safe; tailgating other cars at 110km/h within half a car length; i guess to get them to go faster or something.

We arrived; after asking some people in merida where we were in fact going. Then asking some others. I tried to pay him 30 usd; but he was not happy. He showed me a wad of bolivares. It took a few minutes for Sra. Marlene to answer the door (it being 2am or so) so she was able to help sort things out. I asked him how many bolivares; and he rolled his eyes and said very slowly doscien venticinco. oops. Sra Marlene took my 30 dollars and 90 bolivares, disappeaered for 5 minutes; came back and paid the guy 250 bolivares; and gave me 44 bolivares in change. Close enough!

Marlene was super sweet. She is the manager of the posada; she lives here with her family (whom I have not yet met). She spoke no english but showed me around and gave me a room. I was confused to find breakfast set up for only one; but it turns out I am the only student here! A blessing and a bummer. Nice because it's private instruction; bummer because no one is here.

Students will show up in two weeks I guess.

Took a tour around the city today after my first lesson where we determined I am a total noob. Buses are cheap; 2 bolivares. Things seem reasonably priced (assuming the floating exchange rate rather than government rate) and food is downright cheap.

There is filtered water here but it tastes like it came out of a 300 ft hose. Botteled water from just around the corner is 6 bolivares for a 600ml bottle.

Head is still foggy from lack of sleep and lack of caffeine. I guess coffee will be my next kicked habit. They don't appear to do coffee like we do in the states; cafe is espresso. I haven't had any yet in Merida; but I had some at the airport and it was the best I've had since Vermont.

The weather is perfect; surrounded by beautiful mountains, and so far everyone has been very nice. I hope tomorrow my brain will be less fried and I will learn faster.