DOWN IN MEXICO
Daisy Dawn
Artcover: Kirra Cheers
Copyright: BERLINABLE UG
Berlinable invites you to leave all your fears behind and dive into a world where sex is a tool for self-empowerment.
Our mission is to change the world - one soul at a time.
When people accept their own sexuality, they build a more tolerant society.
Words to inspire, to encourage, to transform.
Open your mind and free your deepest desires.
All rights reserved. It is not permitted to copy, distribute or otherwise publish the content of this eBook without the express permission of the publisher. Subject to changes, typographical errors and spelling errors. The plot and the characters in this book are fictitious. Any resemblance to dead or living people or public figures is not intended and are purely coincidental.
15 hours and 20 minutes, 2 flights, countless gin tonic and here I am, arriving in Mexico City! I’m thrilled and terrified to be traveling on my own here for a full month. After a quick 5-minute wait, I grab my 40 L backpack from the conveyor belt and locate the nearest exit. Outside the building, I light a cigarette while waiting for my Uber.
I can’t believe I’m here! The land of my dreams; the land of tequila, Frida Kahlo, and tacos. Hi, yes, in case you don’t know me, those are my top three passions; alcohol, art, and food.
After almost an hour's ride, I finally made it to my hostel. The entrance looked almost like a design hotel and I had to double-check before I pushed the glass door open. Inside the hostel, a guy is waving his hands, signaling for me to come on in.
"Hey, hey, welcome! It's Daisy, right?" the guy behind the desk offered me a warm greeting.
Wow. He's cute, friendly, and he knows my name.
For sure I'm not in Berlin anymore.
I place my backpack on the floor and smile, "Yes! Hi! I hope it's not too late to check-in?"
The hostel receptionist offers a kind smile, "actually, you're right on time."
He extends his hand and introduces himself. His name is José.
He then turns to a guy to his left, “hey man, so this is her. This is the girl. You’ve got to move your stuff.”
Focusing his gaze at the computer screen, José continues, “I can put you in, let me check- room number 8?”
I quickly notice the presence of the other guy next to José. Oh, great, another cute guy. Checkered shirt, well-trimmed beard, nose piercing.
“Shit. All right. I’m on it,” mutters the beautiful man as he leaves us and climbs up the stairs.
Fabulous, he’s got an Aussie accent. Fuck me.
“Who was that?” I can’t seem to hide my thirsty ass.
“That? Oh, that was Ben.”
José filled me in that they were, in fact, waiting if I would show up. Ben would like to extend his stay, but I had booked his bed.
Ha, that's a funny coincidence.
I mean I wouldn't complain about sharing the bed with that gorgeous guy.
Alas, José told me not to worry as Ben is moving to another room. He also offers to change the bedsheets for me, seeing that as at this point I look knackered from my long flight.
Following José’s steps, I finally made it to my room.
He is taking off Ben’s sheet while I sit down, offering him a short introduction of who I am. Where I’m from, what I’m doing, and all that jazz. In exchange, he tells me his story. He used to live in Budapest and recently moved back home to Mexico City.
While listening to him, I can’t help but notice his defined biceps wrestling with the white bed linen.
Get a grip, woman. The first night of your trip and you get so thirsty already.
I thank José for changing the sheets for me.
He tells me not to worry, and that he is happy to help. I had a long flight anyway, so that’s the least he could do to help.
À propos the bed, I tell José that I'm sorry for snatching the other guy’s bunk.
He laughs and says that he'd rather give the bed to me than him anyway.
Is he flirting with me?
Ben has been staying at the hostel for a few days and becomes good mates with José. One thing leads to another, they’re now shooting a short film together. Having found a new project and a new friend, Ben extended his stay in Mexico City.
With my bed now made, José leaves me to get a good rest.
I thank him again and close the door before collapsing into my bed.
***
After 10 hours of sleep, I woke up bright and early and spent my first day here exploring the city on my own. There's something about walking around without a specific destination when visiting new places.
The people here are so warm and friendly. I would love to chat, but I am helpless. My Spanish knowledge is very limited to a few words I learned from Dora the Explorer. Fine, I also may know all the lyrics to Despacito – but this is classified information. Anyway, I'm sure that I won't be having any karaoke challenge here, so it's pretty much useless.
After 5 hours on my feet and many times repeating that I do not speak Español, I began my retreat to the hostel. Who knew that exchanging smiles could be so exhausting? I need an actual verbal communication stat.
A small crowd is gathering at the lounge area. I hesitate for a moment.
Why am I such a socially-awkward baby sometimes?
Yes, I do crave social interaction.
And no, I don't want to look like a fool in front of these strangers.
Fuck sake, who cares what they think-
It only takes a quick scan of the room to see that the hot Aussie guy is in the crowd.
All right then.
I pull the most charming smile and introduce myself to everyone.
Nina and Anna are two flatmates from the Netherlands. Maria and Gabriella are working for the hostel. Then there is Sean, from the States and Jens from Germany. And him, Ben, from Sydney. Not Australia, mind you, Sydney.
I see you. Cocky. But again, you’re hot, so I am going to let that one slide.
As an attempt to be cool and not stare at that gorgeous man, I conversed with the guy next to me. That’s how it works right, ignoring the one you like and speaking with the one you have the least interest in.
This guy, Sean, has no problem answering my questions. In fact, it only took three questions before he turned this conversation into a monologue. He talks non-stop about his volunteering experiences in Vietnam and Ghana. I bet he thinks of himself as some social superhero. Oh, I double-bet you he is one of those humanitarians of Tinder. I wonder if those pics of him with impoverished children get him laid.
Bored to death listening to this narcissist of a man, I try my best to listen, nod, smile, and repeat. Every few minutes I find my eyes wandering to the man across from me. He stares back at me almost immediately. He then