Day 1
I departed NZ from Auckland airport at 6:25am, and after twelve and a half hours flying we landed in Mexico City.
The air was warm, but getting colder as night fell.
The airport was crowded; I mean really crowded! The place was packed! I was amazed at how so many people could fit in such a small place at one time!
I managed to find my way to the entrance of the airport, where I flagged down a cab, and gave the man the directions to the backpackers I was staying at.
After half an hour driving, we arrived at a small cottage, set in a secluded part of the city, where I was welcomed by a slightly stressed looking lady, and her husband.
After a dinner of spicy vegetables and chicken, I fell into bed, tired out from the long trip.

Day 2
The sound of traffic woke me early in the morning. The street which I had thought secluded the night before was now full of cars, buses and cabs.
After having breakfast, I said goodbye to my hosts, and went out to explore the city.
I visited Alameda Central, Cathedral Metropolitana, Temple Mayor and the Zocalo square.
I then had lunch at small restaurant, before catching the bus to Tampico.
I arrived at around 3:00pm to a hot, busy city, and caught a taxi to the Coyote Flaco Backpackers, where I was greeted by a young, friendly lady.
After meeting all the staff, I went for a swim at the Miramar Beach, then visited the Huasteca Culture Museum, where I saw some amazing statues and paintings.
I then bought a delicious dinner of chicken tortillas, before retiring back to the hostile.

Day 3
After having a breakfast of huevos rancheros - eggs with chillies, tomatoes and peppers in burritos, I spent the morning wandering around the Historic Center tasting shrimp empanadas, and scrumptious chilpan tamales from the street stands found all along the downtown area.
I then went shopping at the shopping mall ‘Plaza Tres Arcos’, where I bought some souvenirs.
After having lunch I went back to Miramar Beach to go snorkelling, then caught the bus to Real de Catorce.
By the time I arrived at the hotel, ‘Ogarrio’, it was nearing 6:00pm, so I went out for dinner at a small restaurant, then turned in for the night.

Day 4
Wow, Real de Catorce is different then all the other places I’ve been in Mexico.
It used to be an old mining town, and is a lot less populated than Tampico and Mexico City.
After breakfast I went on a tour of the Santa Ana Mine,
which was very interesting, then had a lunch of tacos and spicy beans.
I then wandered around the town, talking to locals.
I had no idea that so many of them could speak English!
After being shown around some of the local’s houses, I reluctantly left to catch the bus to Chihuahua.
I fell asleep on the way there, this was the longest bus trip so far, and was very tired when I arrived in Chihuahua.
Night was falling by the time I got to the backpackers, so I had a quick dinner, then went to bed.

Day 5
It was a hot day today.
The traffic flashed by, as I walked around sipping coffee. Every now and then I stopped to marvel at the huge buildings standing either side of me.
I visited the ‘Temple of San Francisco’, the ‘Federal Palace’ of Chihuahua and the ‘Central park’, which was once one of the worst slums in the city, but is now the largest city park.
After having lunch I swam at the Chihuahua Natural Pools, then caught the bus all the way back to Mexico City.
When I arrived at the airport, I took a final glance at Mexico, then boarded the plane home.
By Clara Mapley.