Maria, my roommate from Spain (at least while she gives the place a 2-week trial like I did) arrived last night. She's here to do an internship at UNIFEM, has a journalism background, and seems totally great. This morning, after I stepped shoe-deep into unmarked wet concrete near our house, we walked aroud the Bosque de Chapultapec and at mushroom-cheese quesadillas at a stall together before we parted ways: her to see "El Angel" (the Revolution statue) and I, well, to the office to meet Luis to get together the last-minute meeting details. She's meeting me here around 5pm, when I should hopefully be done. (I'd better be...)

As I was walking alone on Paseo de Reforma just now, sun beating down all shiny-like and people around me emitting good energy, one of the peseros slowed down. I mouthed "No gracias" as I was only 5-10 minute walk to where the peseros verge away from where I was going. But about 15 metres ahead, even though it was full of passengers, the bus stopped dead, theoretically to merge lanes, but missing many opportunities to do so. When I sauntered past again, the pesero driver invited me in, somehow insisting and imparting well-intentionedness with his body language, and I had to accept. I guess my weekend attire (simple black tank-top revealing only my arms and my big purple skirt) earned me more than more honks and whistles than usual! It was really sweet. He refused my pesos and just kept smiling at me as I sat up front for the 3-minute ride to the Petroleum statue, obviously desiring/expecting nothing more of me than my brief presence in his bus. It made me feel radiant.

I've had a happy enough morning to try my best not to harp on the fact that I've been forced to come to work on a splendid Saturday, instead of being at the festival in Guanajuato (where I'd hoped to go this weekend) or out exploring the town with Maria or...

I'm moving into Hotel Corinto tomorrow night so I can be around for the participants if they need me. Should be fun, but I anticipate being pretty excited to return home at the end of the week!