Melatonin and Conquistadora

Otherwise Titled: Wildly inappropriate discussions to have in international airports.

Corey: The men keep asking me if I'm "with the girls".

Shannon: They're essentially asking you for permission to hit on us.

Russel: YES. They are all mine. 200,000 Pesos....

Shannon: I am VERY expensive. Also, 70% cut.

Corey: Us?

Shannon: Me. Mar the pretty faces and it's YOUR loss.


Sarah: I HATE sleeping on planes.

Corey: I have melatonin!

Shannon: Can we get in on that?

Corey: But of course.

Shannon: I love how willing you are to just give me drugs.



Corey: I couldn't find any Spanish kids books, though! That would be a help.

Shannon: Watch the original Dora. It was "Esploradora", like Sesame Street for Spanish kids.

Corey: Esploradora? Did she also wipe out indigenous tribes?

Shannon: No, no, that was Conquistadora, who also brought much wealth to mainland Europe. And would also be HILARIOUS.


(Because obviously prostitution and colonialism are AWESOME conversation starters.)

Ok, onto actual observations. The first flight I have ever been on where the pilots, attendants, and signage was in an entirely different language, and english translations came choppy and second. It was both new and a very real reminder that I was in an entirely foreign place. While I've been to the U.K, the "differentness" was lower level entirely. While I was aware in an abstract sort of way that English is not the default, it was still a bizarre experience seeing and hearing the change.
But also interesting! It was the first little nudge out of my comfort zone, and within a few hours I was comfortably ordering cafe con leche, por favore, and feeling thrilled when the cashier looked genuinely pleased with my "gracias". 

When Sarah successfully bought herself a pack of cigarettes, I went out to get a glimpse of outside while we waited for our shuttle, and the world felt different. Though the morning was cool, the air was heavy and damp, and the garden outside the airport was filled with almost black moist soil and unfamiliar, dark green lush plants. While airports all look the same, I suddenly felt like I was in a different part of the world.

The day began exhausted in an airport at 6:30am, and ended after drinks and sushi on a sunny patio two stories up with a backdrop of smog and mountains. I have a subway card, learned where my school was, and bought things- already.

Also, we made a little friend...