Emma is one of our globally marauding clan collectively referred to as STA Explorers. As she is studying in Mexico, she’s going by the name, Studying in Mexico – and what has she been studying recently? Men in spandex and beer on a boat.

Her Mexican adventures blog treats us first to the delights of Xochimilico. Translated, Xochimilico means ‘place of the flower fields’. It was a place that Emma perused on a colourful boat, floating along the cities canal system with a beer in hand.

As for the men in spandex, yup, we’re talking wrestling again. This time though it is the real deal. The Mexican form of the sport - Lucha Libre. Emma succinctly explains:

“It’s basically just like WWF but with cooler masks and outfits!”

To find out about the securing of back stage passes, what Mole is and why it’s so good, duck through this highlighted text.

We all know that old truism about loving the journey, not the destination. Which is fine if you’re catching a flight from a big airport with international staff, or coasting along on your private yacht. But if you have a small budget, and a thirst to experience life like a local, you’re often reliant on foreign public transport, which can be scary, confusing and inconvenient.

Not so, Mexico. STA Explorer Emma is on a university exchange there for a year, so she’s eager to explore her new home cheaply and easily, and:

one thing I’ve found about Mexico, all journeys by buses are just so cheap! I travel to Uni each day on the bus for $3.50 ($ that’s Mexican Pesos) so about 15p!!! And the Bus from DF (Mexico City) to Cuernavaca was around $35 for a 1.5 hours bus journey!! Fantastic…. Definitely make use of them!

Her latest posts describe visits to the legendry Aztec site Teotihuacan and the historic silver industry in Taxco. Head over to her blog for more insider tips on the country and if you’ve got any questions about living, working and playing, the Mexican way.

Once you get over the fact that you’ll now have that classic Sons and Lovers tune in your head for the rest of the day, I suggest you have a peak at our new STA Explorer’s blog. Em is a 20 year old student from Northumbria University in Newcastle who is on an exchange programme for a year in Mexico City, which should be invaluable for her International Business with Spanish course. She chose to take her placement there:

because its just completely different to the UK, with so much interesting and exciting cultural and historical aspects

and she’s already got thoroughly stuck into exploring all of the above. She’s tried local snacks such as las papas and gorditos in the capital Toluca, while wandering the Cosmovitral; she also blogged about her horse trek to the quaint market town Ixtapan de la Sal, taken some amazing photos of the Grutas de las Estrellas cave, and recommended a great restaurant in Valle de Bravos. And of course there’s her latest post about the legendary Acapulco, where she’s been hitting the local bars and clubs and watching the crazy cliff divers.

As Em is there for a year, she’ll be a great one to follow as she discovers what it’s like to live and play in Mexico in depth. Head on over to ask any questions about her experiences with STA Travel, Mexico or indeed drinking cocktails by the yard!