![]() ![]() Today, after cabbing it into the city, I shuffled from one place to the next for interviews and work. That comfort eludes me when I am whisked away on unfamiliar and quiet roads in the confines of cab, whether registered or not, at the driver's mercy. The assumed companionship of the strangers accompanying me on the ride, the comfort of the many stops along a predetermined route, and the freedom to disembark at will bring a sense of independence and comfort. Honestly - just between us - I prefer traveling in the crowded, stinky subways and on diesel-spewing, jolting buses. By traveling only by registered cab, I'm watching as the real world passes by on the other side of the protected windows. I call them, wait 20 minutes for them to show up at my door, then they drop me off at the entrance to my destination. I have to take only personal, publicly registered (and therefore traceable) fancy cabs. Obediently following the advice of my family and friends, I can't take just any cab. With time constraints, I'm stuck with taking cabs. My host family lives far enough out in the suburbs that getting to the nearest subway station would mean a 30-minute bus ride, then another 20 minutes on the train. This transportation problem shapes my day-to-day life. ![]() While buses and the metro are for the most part safe, many assaults are occurring in "freelance" taxis. They were protesting against corruption and inactivity, demanding that the police do a better job of investigating the kidnappings and petty robberies as well as the many unsolved assaults and murders. Last weekend, in the largest protest the city has seen in decades, hundreds of thousands of people dressed all in white marched silently into the city's Zócolo district. ![]() The crowd wore all white to protest escalating violence The assaults are turning into an epidemic, so much so that many of Mexico's upper and middle class are beginning to flee the country. Mexico City has undergone a massive wave of kidnappings and violent robberies in the last year, many of them against women and children, who used to be off limits. Safety is a major issue in this massive metropolis, particularly for those who appear to be middle and upper class. You might think that having escaped the safety of suburbia, I'd be out on my own, feeling the pulse of the city's 25 million inhabitants. This time is so different: delicious home-cooked Mexican cuisine makes its way under my nose just as magically, the dishes slip from my sight and the next thing I know, someone is driving me away from the quiet of the country-club suburbs toward the business of the city. I've never been abroad before without having to find my own food, transportation and resources. Having familiar people to spend my evenings with and a quiet place to work is a rare gift in the field, but the feeling of dependence that it evokes is disconcerting. However, the comforts of my housing situation are sheltering me from the chaos of the city, which I have intensely mixed feelings about. I am being fed, watered and housed and on top of it all, every day I get a glimpse into the Mexican way of life. My house: I am lucky enough to have a wonderful, warm, welcoming extended family that has opened its doors to me. The reason for that is twofold: first, my living conditions, and second, the state of public security in the city. Whatever you choose to call it, it's big, and I'm not sure when I'll fully have my feet on the ground (if ever). 1250.MEXICO CITY - Here I am in the famed global city, the D.F., México. 0021211243 Agent Address Supplier Stock Number 04 12 12 Ext. 124, Piso 5 Description # Chamarra Mxico, D. ![]() 0021121743 Description Camisa Tipo Polo Invoice # Export 1268 11 12 Tax Id Sub910603 Sb3 India P. 00016 Gvenfw1201 Cp 11560 Mens S Slv Y Neck Henley With Tax Id Shipping Bill # Dtd. 2012 Place Of Delivery Mexico City Dept No. Rfc Sub910603 Sb3 Last Receipt Date Invoice Date # 02. 427947401 Invoice # Export 14 12 13 1 X D20 Gp Description Camisa Tipo Polo Total Qty. 0021160568 Place Of Delivery Mexico City Invoice Date # 23. 00021 Place Of Delivery Mexico City Inv No. G812 Hwven0715 M T Shirt With Logo Emb India Dept No. 2012 Tax Id Sub910603 Sb3 Service Contract Gb11 0128 M Col Palmitas Polanco Place Of Delivery Mexico City Total Qty. ![]()
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