I have been in Mexico City for a month and 9 days and i have learned so much about myself. I have learned how to be on my own, how to take the metro system, buses on my own, how to blend in on the street, i feel accepted by my own people and even when they hear my Northern accent they figure i'm from Monterey or Baja California never American. No one asks me where i am from or asks me to identify my culture, i am here what i have always been, Mexican. Life here is very fast pace, people don't wait around, it would seem to an outsider that they are impatient but they are just programed to be on the go, because here if you lag around you will either get hit by a car, or by people. Something or someone will always remind you to keep going. Its the city that never sleeps, the New York of Mexico and it will make you fall in love and break your heart. Regardless, i love this city and i love its people and the culture of our native ancestors that has been tried to be buried by the white Spaniards, but has remained strong till this day.
During my month here i have acquired two internships in order to properly write my thesis on the sex and trafficking industries. I am working with The Coalition against Trafficking women and girls in Latin America and the Caribbean
which works against corrupt governments and law enforcement to rescue women and children from prostitution and other forms of exploitation. Maestra Teresa Ulloa is the director and my hero, she was the pioneer in bringing traffickers to court in Mexico, and works really hard to make sure that they are prosecuted but its hard when money talks. I am also working in casa Xochiquetzal which is a shelter for elderly sex workers whom were previously homeless. They live in nice housing on the wrong side of town, TEPITO. Which is one of the most dangerous places in Mexico City. The women here are so amazing they have lived lives that they don't wish on anyone, although they are damaged psychologically, physically and mentally they are still strong and survive each day with the burden of being rejected by mainstream society and their families. Its a hard life but they did not choose it, they were forced into it.
At an informal meeting
