I arrived at 6:30 am on my flight from New York and passed through immigration and customs in five minutes. Although I hadn’t slept on the flight, I was ready for a cup of Mexican coffee and to start exploring Mexico City.
Elderly women behind bakery counters or walking through parks greet me with a “Buenos días” and a smile. Strangers offer assistance in finding my way around. Nobody has tried to sell me a tour, a taxi ride, or followed me for blocks and blocks to get me to purchase a cheap trinket (a frequent occurrence during previous travels). Not one person approached me at the airport offering to take me into the city for the right price.
One woman did ask me for money as we passed each other on an otherwise deserted sidewalk. She spoke very rapidly, something about being robbed in a taxi and needing to get a bus back to her village. I caved in for two reasons. One, I was so pleased that I understood most of her rapid-fire Spanish, so that put me in a good mood. Two, she had a young boy with her. Neither of them looked poor, and I thought she just might be telling the truth . . . .
My Couchsurfing host, Guillermo, has never left Mexico but hopes to someday. He is an Uber driver and frequently hosts couchsurfers from around the world. We have compared our stories and agree that we’ve met some amazing people by opening up our homes to strangers.
Guillermo’s apartment is in Narvarte, a quiet neighborhood in Mexico City, far from the tourist spots but still on the Metro line. I’ve walked around this afternoon and have grown to love this neighborhood. There is a taco stand, coffee shop, and bakery on every block. There are also several gelato places, beautiful parks, clean and smooth sidewalks (another rarity in previous travels), and fresh air. The weather here is perfect.
The air smells of delicious roasting meat of all types, tempting me to break my vegetarian diet.
My goal is to write a post every day while I’m here and push myself to take more pictures. Tomorrow I’m renting a bike to explore other neighborhoods. Hasta mañana.
Dee
April 14, 2018 at 23:49
I spent nine lovely days in CDMX. Enjoy the various colonias!
Tim Flanagan
April 15, 2018 at 21:53
I am! What a great city!
Anne cylkowski
April 15, 2018 at 07:12
Great photos! Anxiously waiting to read and look at another post!
Tim Flanagan
April 15, 2018 at 21:53
Glad you’re reading!
Betsy Flanagan
April 15, 2018 at 07:30
Awesome photos Tim. Can’t wait to hear more. xox Betsy
Tim Flanagan
April 16, 2018 at 00:10
Thanks, Betsy.
Paula
April 15, 2018 at 07:44
You never fail me with you photos or words.
Tim Flanagan
April 16, 2018 at 00:10
Thank you, Paula.
Lori Liguori
April 15, 2018 at 08:11
Oh Tim!!! Thank you for taking me on another adventure this week……..and I thought I was just staying in Westerly for vacation!!! Looking forward to reading all about it! Enjoy!
Tim Flanagan
April 16, 2018 at 00:11
Glad to have you along! What would you like me to eat for you?
Elaine Temel
April 15, 2018 at 08:22
This is amazing! How did I not know you were traveling this break! We are so isolated down in the team 5 wing! LOL! Have an amazing trip! I just LOVE good coffee when traveling. You had my mouth watering. Would be cool to do a compare & contrast with your pictures from Mexico City vs. Cuba vs. ???? Enjoy. Have fun. Stay safe!
Elaine
Tim Flanagan
April 16, 2018 at 00:12
I think we’re all too busy at school lately. Glad you’re following along!
Kathy...aka..the sister
April 15, 2018 at 08:31
Great post & photos. Hope you like the new camera. Take lots of photos of the Plaza de la Constitución, our friend Fortino Escalante worked on the rehabilitation of it in the late 1980’s.
Tim Flanagan
April 16, 2018 at 00:14
I think I was there today on the bike. Still looks great!
Deidre
April 15, 2018 at 09:58
WOW! I want to get on a plane and join you, especially with cold temps and wind gusts in Pawcatuck today. Love reading your blogs as they always “take me away”!
The coffee sounds wonderful! I didn’t know you were a vegetarian, but sounds like you have lots of options! Enjoy your travels and don’t forget to get a photo of you in your next blog.
Tim Flanagan
April 16, 2018 at 00:15
Yes, join me next time! No photos of me yet, but I’m sure I’ll work one in.
Sharon
April 15, 2018 at 11:11
Following you on another amazing trip!
Tim Flanagan
April 16, 2018 at 00:15
Glad to hear it, Sharon!
LInda Wight
April 15, 2018 at 11:31
HI Tim, love seeing your posts. I’m sure you’re pictures are lovely. I damaged my iPad and, unfortunately, the colors are psychedelic- I told my grandson that he would love the colors. The iPad is useable, so I can still read your blog and enjoy your adventure. The people, weather and culture sound lovely. It has been a long winter with bouts of warmer weather teasing us.. Today is not one of them, but we had a baptism at mass today and that with your blog has warmed my day. We await your next post. Enjoy, explore! Much love, Linda and Conrad
Tim Flanagan
April 16, 2018 at 00:16
Hi Linda, glad you were able to read my post. Say hello to Conrad and everyone. Warm weather is coming soon.
Noreen Elliott
April 15, 2018 at 22:42
Amo tus fotos. Que tengas unas buenas vacaciones.
Tim Flanagan
April 16, 2018 at 00:18
Gracias, Noreen. Me estoy divirtiendo mucho!
Julie
April 16, 2018 at 21:55
Have a wonderful time! Thanks for sharing!
Tim Flanagan
April 17, 2018 at 22:20
Thanks for reading!
Vicky Ann Deledda
April 20, 2018 at 22:52
Enjoy my traveler friend!
Tim Flanagan
April 21, 2018 at 21:34
Thanks!