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.
April 14, 2018 @ 23:49
I spent nine lovely days in CDMX. Enjoy the various colonias!
April 15, 2018 @ 21:53
I am! What a great city!
April 15, 2018 @ 07:12
Great photos! Anxiously waiting to read and look at another post!
April 15, 2018 @ 21:53
Glad you’re reading!
April 15, 2018 @ 07:30
Awesome photos Tim. Can’t wait to hear more. xox Betsy
April 16, 2018 @ 00:10
Thanks, Betsy.
April 15, 2018 @ 07:44
You never fail me with you photos or words.
April 16, 2018 @ 00:10
Thank you, Paula.
April 15, 2018 @ 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!
April 16, 2018 @ 00:11
Glad to have you along! What would you like me to eat for you?
April 15, 2018 @ 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
April 16, 2018 @ 00:12
I think we’re all too busy at school lately. Glad you’re following along!
April 15, 2018 @ 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.
April 16, 2018 @ 00:14
I think I was there today on the bike. Still looks great!
April 15, 2018 @ 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.
April 16, 2018 @ 00:15
Yes, join me next time! No photos of me yet, but I’m sure I’ll work one in.
April 15, 2018 @ 11:11
Following you on another amazing trip!
April 16, 2018 @ 00:15
Glad to hear it, Sharon!
April 15, 2018 @ 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
April 16, 2018 @ 00:16
Hi Linda, glad you were able to read my post. Say hello to Conrad and everyone. Warm weather is coming soon.
April 15, 2018 @ 22:42
Amo tus fotos. Que tengas unas buenas vacaciones.
April 16, 2018 @ 00:18
Gracias, Noreen. Me estoy divirtiendo mucho!
April 16, 2018 @ 21:55
Have a wonderful time! Thanks for sharing!
April 17, 2018 @ 22:20
Thanks for reading!
April 20, 2018 @ 22:52
Enjoy my traveler friend!
April 21, 2018 @ 21:34
Thanks!