Mexico City...Day 1

hola from Mexico! We arrived here safely after a short delay in flight from Houston to Mexico City. As we approached from the air, we were astounded by the hazy cloud of thick yellow smog that covers the teeming city streets below. 0
We were hustled through the airport, assigned a taxi, and taken relatively quickly to the Centro Historico, where our lovely and colorful Hostel Moneda lies sandwiched between a beautiful cultural museum and the breathtaking cathedral. We checked in - well, Jake checked in while I remained quiet and attentive - and plunked our bags down in a small and humid room on the third floor. After each showering in blissfully warm water, we suited up and prepared for a stroll around the district. About 100 yds from our hostel is an excavated site that was apparently once considered to be the center of the universe by the Aztecs. As grandiose as it may sound, the site resembles nothing more than a heap of ancient stone and newly sprouted grass surrounded on all sides by a crowded market. Talk about merging the old with the new. We walked for about an hour, trying to orient ourselves a little, saying polite 'no thank yous' to the many merchants that line the sidewalks selling everything from flip flops to tostadas. We arrived back at the hostel about thirty minutes ago and made our way up to the rooftop bar and restaurant. Dinner was complimentary, and Jake and I are finally settling down a little with the help of a few insanely cheap Negro Modelos. More to come tomorrow... I'm still reeling from the fact that, for the next fifteen days, I won't have to set any sort of alarm. Vacaciones...que bueno! Love to you all back in the states.. and to Mr. and Mrs. Hafkin - Jake just yelled across the terrace to 'tell his parents he says hello!' .....and a hello from me as well!
Hasta luego, amigos!