Nights out in Córdoba.

Unlike in Germany, in Mexico I spend most of my nights back home in Casa Hogar. Usually I stay in the office to read, watch movies or listen to music. As a friend said "Habits won't change, even thousands of kilometers away from home.", I am not willing to be stuck on a desk for two months. Some of my first impressions of the Mexican nightlife.

The anticipation of my first beer after days of abstinence.

(Orizaba/ México/ 18.03.2012)

I had to travel to Mexico to see my first movie in 3D. Together with Juan José and his family. After the movie we went back to Oscar's granny to enjoy some of the best tacos of the city.

(Córdoba, Veracruz/ México/ 22.03.2012)

Street impression of Córdoba. With Tacos Pastor in the background. Reminds me of Kebab back home.

(Córdoba, Veracruz/ México/ 24.03.2012)

Cristobal seemed to be pretty drunk after one of these.

(Córdoba, Veracruz/ México/ 24.03.2012)

 Church on Saturday evening.

(Córdoba, Veracruz/ México/ 24.03.2012)

 Jarochos dancing.

(Córdoba, Veracruz/ México/ 24.03.2012)

Tacos with Gretel, Gema and Miguel. Two for one, sounded great to me. In the end it was ten of them. Tacos Pastor in my face!

(Córdoba, Veracruz/ México/ 28.03.2012)

Mexican prison.

Robbery and murder, these are the things I was afraid of when I travelled to Mexico. I was told about the high crime rate in this country. Therefore I was always paying attention on the streets at night. To be in a safe place to drink, I decided to stay in the office to enjoy one beer after a long working day. In the end no good idea.

I was accused of an offense. Eight police men, armed, entered my office and called the director of the house. Nobody talked to me, I was absolutely confused. I have realized the situation after handcuffs were put on. Afterwards I was led away to the police station. Fortunately I was put in the cell with two teenagers who were there because of a little grafitti. The other option seemed to be way more frightened to me.

After a few hours on the cold prison floor I was released and grabbed a taxi back home. Know I know the rules, and why some gents do not like the police. But worst of all, I could not even finish my beer.


UPDATE:

My committed crime was: Drinking ONE beer in a public institution.

Piñata.

Piñatas are part of almost every birthday party in México. Up to now I have never seen a piñata live and was really excited about it. I think, I have seen some on the television. This might explain my constant fear of getting hit in the nuts during the celebration. The piñata was filled with candies and little snacks. Afterwards the birthday child received a yummy cake.

It might not appear on this picture, but Lizbeth was very excited about her birthday. She kept telling about the following Saturday for the whole week.

(Córdoba, Veracruz/ México/ 24.03.2012)

Seven cones, each of them represents one mortal sin.

(Córdoba, Veracruz/ México/ 24.03.2012)

"Dale, dale, dale!", hitting the piñata seemed to be easier for me than I have thought. In my imagination a piñata should be hit with covered eyes, but instead it was lifted up and down by Cristobal. Nevertheless difficult for the little ones.

(Córdoba, Veracruz/ México/ 24.03.2012)

Everyone got a shot on the piñata. Marie Isabel nailed it!

(Córdoba, Veracruz/ México/ 24.03.2012)

"I want candy!", or in this case: "Fight for candy!" Reminds my of Carnival in my childhood.

(Córdoba, Veracruz/ México/ 24.03.2012)

Although he had caught many candies, Uriel was kind of disappointed about his gain. He was only topped by the twins. For my part, I received some sweets without any effort. The children offered some of theirs.

(Córdoba, Veracruz/ México/ 24.03.2012)

Monopatín.

I remember the joy skateboarding gave me as a kid, and still gives me nowadays. On most of my journeys I bring my skateboard along with me. In the spirit of "skate and destroy" it is always a pleasure to explore new spots. This little piece of wood offered me many opportunities and widened my horizon. In this case I am glad to share one tiny moment of bliss with the children of the house. For some of the children it was the very first time in their life on a skateboard. After short hesitation, curiosity and the impulse to have a good look on the new toy won.

The first anxious step.

(Córdoba, Veracruz/ México/ 18.03.2012)

 Eric seems to be quite experienced in riding a skateboard.

(Córdoba, Veracruz/ México/ 18.03.2012)

 Every day Pablo asks, if he can grab my board and skate for a while.

(Córdoba, Veracruz/ México/ 18.03.2012)

Battle at The Berrics.

(Córdoba, Veracruz/ México/ 18.03.2012)

 Ángel looking for the right stance for his Tre-Flips.

(Córdoba, Veracruz/ México/ 18.03.2012)

Venetian gondolas. Or the Córdoban interpretation by Maribel. Funny though!

(Córdoba, Veracruz/ México/ 18.03.2012)

Casa Hogar de Córdoba.

My first weekend in Casa Hogar was a great experience. I spent a lot of time together with the children of the house. We were playing football, basketball and talked a lot. Sometimes it is hard for me to understand them properly. The pronunciation is different than those of adults. But slowly I get used to it. The kids get along with me very well. They even gave me a nickname. "Chino". No, not a Chinese but "Curly".

Besides the social work with the children, I am going to work in the office of Casa Hogar. I will try to raise funds and donations for the house by connecting with national and international organizations and local companies. Since I am going to work on my own in the office, the procedure is unknown. In the first two weeks I will have to explore the needs of the house and the local offerings.

I am going to upload some impressions of my time in Casa Hogar in the following weeks. A little insight into the children's world and life in an orphanage. For the next two months this will be my workplace and my home.

(Córdoba, Veracurz/ México/ 16.03.2012)

Carnicería.

It is obvious that Méxicans are real meat lovers. The following pictures were taken on a market in Fortín de las Flores, a tiny town next to Córdoba . Juan José wanted to show me a real Carnicería. In the meantime, while our meat was prepared, I lost quite a few Pesos on gambling.   

After asking for permission to take some photos, the butchers really enjoyed to pose in front of the camera. 

(Fortín/ México/ 18.03.2012)

 Cheap prices for a great pile of fresh flesh.

(Fortín/ México/ 18.03.2012)

 Rocky used his naked fists to maltreat cow halves. Idiot! A young and well posing butcher with his sharp knife.

(Fortín/ México/ 18.03.2012)

 Juan José preparing the meat for his tacos.

(Córdoba, Veracruz/ México/ 18.03.2012)

Bienvenido a Córdoba, Veracruz.

Plane or bus? Despite of far too narrow seats I really like travelling with busses. If you don't choose to take a five hours nap you can experience a glancing view at the landscape. On my way from Mexico-City to Córdoba, Veracruz I chose to travel by ADO. Moreover the bus is quite cheaper than a flight.

Citlaltépetl, 5.636 meters above sea-level and therefore higher than every mountain of the Alps. Thank God, I have seen 500 Days of Summer one week before. Otherwise I could not have snatched my eyes away from the TV screen.

(Orizaba/ México/ 15.03.2012)

 A warm welcome by the Local Committee in Veracruz.

(Córdoba, Veracruz/ México/ 15.03.2012)

 Thanks to Juan José and his family for the hospitality they have offered me that night! I think I will teach him some Ollies from gratitude.

(Córdoba, Veracruz/ México/ 15.03.2012)

 No somos Mariachis, somos Jarochos! Seems to be equal? Well, ask a fellow Verocruzian.

(Córdoba, Veracruz/ México/ 15.03.2012)

 Joined the band, got into a fight, started a solo-career. Sounds familiar?

(Córdoba, Veracruz/ México/ 15.03.2012)

 Private BBQ with Tacos, Empanadas and a lot of spicy Salsas. Everyone warned me about the hottest Salsa. Sometimes I am a curious little boy.

(Córdoba, Veracruz/ México/ 15.03.2012)

 La abuela was very concerned about me trying her food. On this picture I have to choose between chicken and pork for my Empanadas. I have decided in favor for pork.

(Córdoba, Veracruz/ México/ 15.03.2012)

Bienvenido a México.

Finally arrived in México. After some issues with my visa, a 24 hours trip and a broken notebook cable I spent the first day in Mexico-City. It is an absolutely awesome and inconceivable big city. Too big to explore it on one day. The following pictures were taken in the historical center of México-City.

Today I am going to travel to Córdoba, Veracruz, the place of my internship at Casa Hogar de Córdoba. Really looking forward to meet some great people over there! I will try to upload the video I have edited which introduces myself to the children in the orphanage. 

Enjoy my first impressions of México! 

Morning view out of my hotel room.

(Ciudad de México/ México/ 14.03.2012)

 Met plenty of these little buddies all over the city.

(Ciudad de México/ México/ 14.03.2012)

 I just came out of the metro and was stunned by this great building, Palacio de Bellas Artes.

(Ciudad de México/ México/ 14.03.2012)

 Asked him to join a match, but he did not reply.

(Ciudad de México/ México/ 14.03.2012)

 Worshipping of holy images seems to be big in México. You can find altars like this all over the city.

(Ciudad de México/ México/ 14.03.2012)

 Looks crooked to me.

(Ciudad de México/ México/ 14.03.2012)

 Seen plenty of these old Volkswagen in the streets. Unfortunately I did not need a taxi.

(Ciudad de México/ México/ 14.03.2012)

 The city seemed to me like a huge market place. You can find whole boroughs filled with the same things. Cloths, toys, electronics and even toilets.

(Ciudad de México/ México/ 14.03.2012)

 Quesadillas were my first breakfast in México.

(Ciudad de México/ México/ 14.03.2012)

 Gargoyles in form of guns? Never seen that before. Once again the colonial architecture impressed me.

(Ciudad de México/ México/ 14.03.2012)

 The Cathedral of México-City with probably the biggest flag I have ever seen, in front of it.

(Ciudad de México/ México/ 14.03.2012)

 Watched the game Real Madrid against ZSKA Moscow in a restaurant. And even in México you can see some Mesut Özil fans.

(Ciudad de México/ México/ 14.03.2012)

 Huarachas, Quesadillas and one nice Corona. I think I will gain a lot of weight in the following two months.

(Ciudad de México/ México/ 14.03.2012)

 Modern street art combined with colonial architecture. A great combination!

(Ciudad de México/ México/ 14.03.2012)