Introductions – México City, 2018

A world within a country

México was never Cancun to me. I don’t know what it was in my head, but maybe some kind of hidden treasure infused with my previous impressions, built by hand and paired with Mezcal and laughter. It’s the complexity and beauty of México that has overwhelmed me – so much so that I have no idea how to introduce it. Instead, I looked through my most recent photos of México and thought they might be better at sharing the spirit of this beautiful land. With 68 indigenous languages, more than a handful of active volcanoes, a very rich history and yes, tacos – México is many, many things.

Below: My go-to for breakfast was Frëims, in Condesa. Their menu was perfect – part modern, part traditional – the chilaquiles had my knees trembling. Can’t say enough about this place. Everything there was as genuine as you’ll get. With the Smiths playing in the background, a dreamscape of a courtyard, get a fresh Jugo and feel the chill.

Condesa, Roma & Churros

I’ve stayed at an Airbnb both trips, first in Condesa and most recently in Roma Norte. Both are peaceful, hip neighborhoods with an eclectic array of cafés, shops, Mezcalerias, restaurants, gardens and places to free your mind. Every corner is filled with a sense of lightness and color, a harmony of nature and concrete colors. Condesa-Roma as its referred to as, is one of the most architecturally remarkable and creative parts of México City. Walking the streets of Condesa and Roma Norte felt therapuetic, like a distant european city where everyone knew what the hell was important in life. There’s even a garden lined sidewalk smack in the middle of the neighborhood streets. Sundays, the streets are closed in the morning to automobiles so bicyclists can pedal in peace.

México is also the keeper of incredible culinary traditions. Of those, the sweet sugary, doughy delight of churro is an obsession of mine. El Moro (above), is a modest but hip churro café that sells drinking chocolate, churros and looks like it came out of a Wes Anderson film with it’s clean white and blue tile design. Who doesn’t want to enjoy a quadruple helping of churros and wash it down with a mug of melted chocolate? See the world of El Moro and Churros >>

Sept. 19, 2017 – Mexico City suffered a devastating 7.1M earthquake. Condesa and Roma were both heavily impacted, taking hundreds of lives, destroying homes, buildings and schools. Five months later, walking the streets of Condesa was haunting. The brave men and women dedicated to their city and people, still press on. There was a silent sadness drifting in the air, paying tribute to the hundreds lost.

You’ve never seen this many parks and gigantic palm trees and people walking 20 dogs at a time until you’ve visited México City. This is Parque México in Condesa.

Volcanos & Airbnb

Ever since I started looking into México, I knew I had to encounter a few volcanos. Popocatépetl is an active Volcano with a really distinct fuji-like shape to it. The thing spews ash plumes all day and looks pretty rad. Then I stumbled upon Airbnb experiences which are honestly, another treasure. I paid less than $100 for an experience titled: Trek a volcano with a photographer. (The posting is no longer on Airbnb, but be sure to check out their website) I wasn’t all too sure what to expect, but I wanted to get out of the city and I wanted adventure.

My experience was monumental and something I will never come close to forgetting. We hiked up Iztaccíhuatl, a dormant volcanic mountain over the span of 7 hours and to an elevation 15,000ft above sea level. Oxygen levels were lower but that didn’t stop families from climbing the volcano, children on their shoulders. For the price I paid, I feel like I hitched a ride on a private National Geographic mission. If you plan on traveling, check out Airbnb experiences.

I suppose my annual solo trip to México began with an idea of adventure. México was a mystery to me. I knew so much about random various pieces of Mexican history & culture but it was all a potpourri gift bag – variables that made no sense to me. And so I went. I had to. What the hell did I know anyways?