has anyone been to Mexico City

[gypcasino]

I'm going later this month on vacation I'm kind of nervous, not that I'll be killed and beheaded, just that I don't speak fluent Spanish. i was wondering how prevalent English speaking is there.

[JonnyLungs]

I spent a few days in Mexico City. Can't really say much about the English thing as I speak Spanish. Flying in, they did speak English at customs which was helpful when they ran out of customs declarations forms on the airplane that were in English and I incorrectly filled mine out saying that I was carrying over $10,000 cash into the country. Depends on what you are doing I suppose, whether they will speak English or not. Touristy stuff you'll be OK.

Worst traffic and dirtiest air I've ever seen in my life was in Mexico City. And I've been to LA. It wouldn't stop me from going back though. I preferred the city of Cuernavaca which is south of Mexico City. That's where all the people from Mexico City go to get away.

[1992casey]

It's been years since I've been there, but Mexico City was a lot of fun the two times I went. JonnyLungs is right about the air pollution. Somewhere I heard that being there is like smoking two packs of cigarettes a day. The really odd thing is that it lifts at night and on Sundays because most of the cars are off the road.

 

I don't think Mexico City is susceptible to daily rain this time of year, but you'll definitely want to check out what to expect weather-wise before you go. In the summer, it pours daily in the late afternoon. It's amazing how hard it is to purchase an umbrella when you really need one. http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/smile.gif

 

I don't recall any issues when communicating with people. My Spanish isn't very good, but if someone's English is as good as my Spanish, we seem to do fine. Pocket translators are pretty inexpensive these days, and if you have a smartphone or an iPod Touch, I'd guess that there are decent translation apps available. The worst thing is talking on the phone because you can't get by with pointing at things.

 

As far as safety goes, if you check stats, I think you'll find that Mexico City is safer than major US cities. As in any large city anywhere, however, you'll want to safeguard yourself from pickpockets.

[jerichoholicninja]

I was there for a class trip in high school so there was a Mexican guide with us but I don't think there was anywhere we went where English wasn't prominent.

[Viva La Grinch]

 

 

This is all the Spanish that you need to know when you go to Mexico City...........

[1992casey]

I understand every word of the "One Semester of Spanish Spanish Love Song." http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/smile.gif

Hello, Miss.

What's your name?

My name is Mike. My name is Mike.

Where is the bathroom?

Happy Birthday!

What time is it? What time is it?

 

I like the library.

I live in the red house.

I have two bicycles.

Thank you very much and you're welcome.

How old are you?

One moment, please.

[in English] It's the one semester of Spanish Spanish Love Song.

 

My mother is pretty.

My cat is very white.

Pardon me. Pardon me.

One, two, three, and four.

Five, six, seven, and eight.

Nine, ten.

[combination of English and incorrect Spanish]: I don't remember how to say eleven.

Antonio Banderas.

Large nachos and [in English] cinnamon twists.

[in English] It's the one semester of Spanish Spanish Love Song.

[in French] Good-bye.

As jerichoholicninja says, I think you'll find a fair amount of people who speak a reasonable level of English. But it's probably not as predominant as you'd find in the resort cities. As you go along, you'll probably find that you remember things you talk about all the time, e.g. la llave (the key), agua purificada (purified water), etc.

 

As a quick hint, "Quisiera" (I would like) is a lot more polite than "Quiero" (I want). That's really easy to start using. Also, if your Spanish is convincing enough, people do notice when you use the familiar (tu vs. su, tú vs. usted). You should use su or usted most of the time. If you're having a beer with someone, use tu or tú.

 

Don't worry too much, though. Even if your Spanish is a mess, people are happy to see you make the effort to try to use it.

[gypcasino]

Thanks everyone. I'm been in Mexico City since Sunday. Now posting on BF.net naturally. So far so good.

And yes, this- Even if your Spanish is a mess, people are happy to see you make the effort to try to use it. http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/smile.gif