I debated on what to title my post this evening. I thought about calling it Noisy Night II as it has been a noisy night. However, it really wouldn’t have been a follow up to Noisy Night which was about the Giant’s winning the World Series last year.

It has been a noisy night, but I will get to that.

Instead, I decided that I would take inspiration from the Long Journey post I wrote in March at the start of my last trip to Mexico City.

The day started out with a trip by car to the West Dublin/Pleasanton BART station where I boarded a train to the airport. I did have to change trains, but the trip was uneventful.

The BART train drops you just a couple 100 meters from the International check-in counters and I headed that way and got in line. Then I remembered that United treats flights to Mexico as domestic flights and I had to make the longer trek to the domestic terminal. Luckily, I noticed it just a few minutes after getting in line 🙂

The flight was only about four hours, and I had an empty seat beside me. I started to watch the movie, but fell asleep near the end. I was able to get a pretty nice nap.

In my post last week, Back Below the Border, I mentioned that I wanted a couple things to go better on this trip. One of them has already happened. I only spent about 20-25 minutes in immigration instead of 80 minutes.

Even with less time spent in immigration it was still almost 12 hours from the time I left home to the time I checked into the hotel.

I have a nice room at a Holiday Inn. Clifford is in place at the end of the bed and I am about ready for a good night of sleep.

But first, I had to have some dinner.

Tonight is a busy, noisy night in Mexico City and most of the restaurants closed early. My colleague recommended that I just eat at the hotel restaurant and then get a good night of sleep.

I had the flank steak tacos for dinner tonight. They were very good, especially with a little hot sauce, beans and guacamole. I may even have them again during my stay if I have a free night at the hotel.

This has been two Sundays in a row when I have had good tacos. Last Sunday I had some good tacos at Ernie’s Taqueria.

So why is it so noisy in Mexico City tonight?

Tomorrow is Mexican Independence Day and on the night before there is a big celebration where the President of Mexico gives the Grito or Cry of Independence to kick off the holiday. Then there are fireworks all over the place. Luckily they have pretty much quit for the night as people are resting up for the big celebration tomorrow.

More about Mexican Independence Day tomorrow.

Steven