Sally O’Connor is traveling to Mexico for the Pan Am Games to partake in the many duties that come with being an FEI Steward. She has graciously agreed to keep us updated of her travels and all the goings on in Mexico. Thanks to Sally for writing and as always, thank you for reading.
Getting there is half the fun they say, well maybe it is, but it can also be more fun than you bargain for.
To start with, the Mexican who booked my flight to Gualdalajara got my name mixed up and used my middle name Ann as my last name, which threw the computers into a frenzy when I arrived at the airport to check in. Once that got sorted out with American Airlines I was on my way. We flew from Dulles to Dallas and then transferred to a very small plane for the next leg. We sat on the runway while they decided we had too much weight and off loaded a passenger. We then sat while they relocated his luggage, checked of course, so that we could get underway. With help of a tail wind we arrived in Guadalajara only half an hour late.
I had no idea if anyone would meet me on an official basis and was overjoyed to find a nice girl with a large sign saying ‘Officilas Pan American.’ She routed me through the diplomatic line and I got through passport and customs with no trouble but then when it came to getting transport to the hotel, it was decided that I should have picked up an official transport card way back before I came through customs. A uniformed man said “Give me your passport and I will go back through and get it for you.” I had qualms about handing over my passport the moment I arrived in Mexico but thought what the hell. He disappeared for twenty minutes and I was beginning to wonder what I had done when finally he reappeared, transport card and passport in hand. I shared a taxi to the hotel with an official on archery. I could give a complete rundown on that sport after a lengthy taxi ride with that official, but I’ll spare you all.
All the officials are housed in a huge high rise hotel in the middle of town, I am on the 14th floor. The elevators make your ears pop on the way up. I am to share a room with a yet-to-appear person who I have never heard of.
Busses were waiting at the curb to trasport people to the opening ceremonies but I gave that a pass.
So I am here in Mexico and have no idea of what and when we get started or how we get out to the Club Hippica. More shall be revealed I suppose. I have yet to see anyone from equestriain sport but have chatted with archers, swimmers, runners and shot putters.
Maybe tomorrow I might get to know what we are doing here!
Sally
