He walked down to the cafe and ordered a large breakfast of pancakes and eggs and of course strong black coffee. He looked around at people at the other tables and found an attractive young woman sitting alone with coffee and toast. Confidently, he walked up to her table and introduced himself. "I'm new in the neighborhood," he said. "Can you tell me the location of the closest market? After all I don't want to take all my meals at this cafe!" He laughed, and she laughed with him, as he knew she would. She invited him to sit at her table and introduced herself.
"I am Belinda Hernandez," she said.
"Glad to meet you Belinda; I am Miguel." She told him that she was fortunate to live and work in this neighborhood. "Apartments are expensive, as you must know, but it is so worth it! Everything is within a few blocks. A Superama is just a block away. I have to walk past it. I will show you when we finish here, if you would like!“
"That would be great," he said. Then consciously he decided to divert the conversation from himself. He asked her where she worked and about her education. Finally he asked about the nightlife in this area of the city. He apparently had been right about the club a block up from his apartment in the opposite direction from the cafe. Belinda told him that it was a great place for him to meet people around his age. She smiled as she said that, and he winked at her in return.
By this time they had finished their breakfast and coffee. She protested, but allowed him to pay the bill. They got up and they walked to the Superama around the next corner. She slipped a small card into his hand as they parted at the entrance to the market. "Give me a call if you'd like. Perhaps I can help you become more acquainted with this part of the city."
"Thank you," he responded.
He looked after her and smiled as she walked away. She was a very nice looking girl, with long jet black hair that swayed with her as she moved. He definitely noticed her body and the way she swaggered as she walked. Things had gone so well. He knew that he could have his way with her if and when he wanted, and he now had an insight into this area of the city.
His thoughts changed their track, as he walked through the doors of the grocery. What a large place this was - far bigger than any grocery at home! There was a whole line of empty carts by the door, and he took one so that he could began to shop. Since he had plenty of time, he decided to go aisle after aisle. It was bright and cheerful in the Superama and things were laid out in a very organized manner. Suddenly he recalled as a boy shopping with his mother at the outdoor markets where different vendors sat next to one another while harping their wares. He remembered the colorful spices in large barrels and the fruit and vegetables under the awnings to keep them fresh. He realized that he had never shopped for himself before. At home it was his mother who had that responsibility, and at the camp food was prepared by the staff and served to the students as they moved in a long line. When they were on a camping trip or on a specific mission, they had to learn to cook for themselves. But the meals were just the basics - usually some kind of preserved meat and beans. Now for the first time he could buy and prepare whatever he wanted to eat! As he traveled through each aisle, he picked items off the shelves and placed them in his cart. He bought fresh eggs, and milk. He bought fruit and vegetables - some fresh and some in cans. He bought beef and chicken, so he could eat like a native of Mexico. He was surprised at so many shelves of bread. There were so many choices, and they were all ready to eat. His mother would have to buy flour and bake the bread each day for his father. As he completed the last aisle he noted that his cart was over half full. He saw the people lining up in the front of the store to pay for their purchases. He stopped to observe them taking the items out of the cart and placing them on a moving belt that deposited them in front of the cashier. Finally when he understood the process he stood in line. By the time he had gotten to the front of the line, he understood how the cash register calculated the money that was due. The cashier told him the amount and he paid in cash. The items were placed in plastic bags and the bags were placed back in the cart. He wheeled the cart through the huge doors that automatically opened for him. This was all such an amazing experience for him! He had taken his time in the market and when he finally came out the sun was higher in the sky and it looked like a beautiful day. He took a deep breath and started to cough! The air was disgusting; he wasn't used to pollutants in the air. Ugh! He walked back to the apartment carrying the heavy bags of groceries. He had to stop several times and put the bags on the sidewalk in order to catch his breath. When he reached his apartment building, he had to walk up the stairs with all the groceries in order to get to his apartment. When everything was put away, he made a short list of essentials that he still needed to purchase. Finally he took a leisurely shower before hooking up his laptop computer to the internet. He checked for email from home, and then did some research on the small private school where he was supposed to have been educated. Both his father and Roberto had given him the name of the current headmaster, who had only been in the employ of the school since the beginning of the semester. The school counselor and the administrator in charge of the school records had been paid handsomely for entering the attendance and school grades and activities of a student named Miguel Elian into the school database.
Now Miguel needed to verify that everything had been completed as designed. He also needed to get his applications started for the universities in America. He planned on calling for an appointment with the headmaster, but first he reviewed the email from his father that contained the school records that were created for him. He must feel comfortable discussing his classes and activities with the headmaster. He checked the address of the school and its proximity to his apartment. It really wasn't too far. He could take a taxi, but he would prefer to walk. He printed out a Google Map to carry with him. That done, he decided that he might as well get started today, as he picked up the telephone to call the school. He was surprised that he was able to schedule an appointment with the headmaster for the following day. That was good; he really didn't want to waste time - he wanted to move onward with his plans for his future. Time here in Mexico City would be fun he thought, but very temporary until he could begin his new life in the United States.
He wanted to be fresh for his appointment at the school tomorrow, so he decided not to party this evening. He would relax for the rest of the day, cook a nice dinner, and get a good night of sleep. He was still tired from his long journey, so he fell into a deep sleep that lasted until the sun brightened the room through the shades as it rose in the sky. He sat up in bed feeling refreshed and ready for the day, turned on the coffee maker, and jumped into the shower.
He sat at the small table sipping his coffee and looking at the opened laptop. He was refreshing his memory on the details of his years at the school. He wanted to remember names of teachers, students, and classes. He wanted to be able to visualize the campus, classrooms, and offices. He still had 2 1/2 hours until his appointment, so he leisurely ate a slice of toast that he had smothered with butter and jam. Once he felt sufficiently prepared he pushed the chair away from the table and wiped the table clean from any crumbs that might have fallen. Then he washed the small plate, coffee cup, and knife and fastidiously placed them back in the cabinet. He picked up his keys and his laptop on his way out the door, locking the door behind him.
It shouldn’t take him more than about thirty minutes to get to the school, but he carefully had allowed forty five minutes in case any unforeseen situation might occur. It was a beautiful day and he enjoyed watching people on the streets as he negotiated his planned route to the school.
He arrived at the address of the school. A black wrought iron fence surrounded the grounds. He wondered if that fence was to keep people out or to keep students in! He called the administration office on the touch pad at the gate. He gave his name, and the voice coming through the speaker asked him to wait a moment. Confidently he stood staring at the touch pad. Shortly he heard a buzz and the gate creaked as it slowly opened. He walked through and mentally seeing his notes, he knew the exact path to the headmaster’s office. He had arrived at a comfortable twenty five minutes early, so he walked slowly and noticed the environs. He watched the students walking and sometimes running between their classes. He noticed the trees, the buildings, and the worn through window shades on most of the windows. He did not like the feelings that he was beginning to sense just by being in this alternate universe. He shuttered slightly as he opened the door of the administration building, and again as he entered the headmaster’s office. He didn’t want