mexico city

March 29

I arrive in Mexico City with my spirits soaring. The Airbnb is really cute albeit the weird nail art

I walk the streets in wonder. Trees towering over Spanish-style buildings and flowers all around

I eat at Santa Habanero alone

I see monsteras thriving in the sub-tropical climate

I am invited to eat my churro at a table of strangers. There is a strong language barrier

March 30

I go on a morning run exploring the beautiful streets of Roma Norte

It is shady and beautiful

But I suffer from the high altitude

Darshini finally arrives and we go to the famous Tacos Onrico

Unfortunately Darshini eats bacon

We visit the Interstellar museum. On our way there, we are kicked off the bus due to an Uber protest. We walk and take in the culture

We are impressed by the museum

Darshini rests on the retro couch

We eat pasta with Mexican flair

We decide normal pasta is better

March 31

I run through Condessa where it is lush and vibrant

I visit the DoorDash office. I observe the Mexican culture but do not speak to anyone

I eat catered Mexican lunch alone

I walk through a neighboring park as I wait for Darshini to meet me from the Qualtrics office

We go to a food market in Coyoacan and eat the famous tostadas with horchata

We go shopping in Coyoacan square and see the famous coyote fountain

We scurry to Gita yoga where they have a projector on the walls. The flow is orated in Spanish

April 1

After I trap Darshini at home, we have the most life-changing bagel sandwiches. Darshini enthusiastically orders two

After work, we get amazing massages and then eat ramen in a very aesthetic restaurant

Mexico City has nailed dining in a way I've never seen before

April 2

Darshini and I have an insane day at the Tolantongo pools. We wake up at 4am to take a 4 hour shuttle to the middle of Mexico. Darshini sleeps one hour which worries me

We frolick around the pools and have a photoshoot

We oogle at mineralized structures

We eat breakfast at the resort

After the pools, we are led to the waterfalls area. It is stunning

We run through the freezing waterfall to enter a tunnel where it is hot and stuffy. It is dark, slippery, and full of people. At points we are chest deep in water. We reached the end of the tunnel on our second try

After the tunnel, we swim in the cave which is filled with fresh, hot spring water. It is light blue and extremely pleasant

We play in the stream and put the mud on our faces

For dinner, we avoid Mexican food and eat at a delicious Indian restaurant

April 3

Since the line at Jenni's quesadilla place is too long, Darshini and I go to get some street food with no line and two reviews on Google

We feel like locals

Me and Darshini go shopping after work

We take pictures

We go to a rooftop bar

We eat the worst guac of our lives

Our waiter takes our pic after convincing us to buy Topo Chicos to cleanse our palate between each sip of our cocktail

We don't realize we were swindled until later

We end up at a bar that reminds of us Still Liquor

April 4

We are back for the bagels

We go shopping in El Bazar Sábado

I love the doors in Mexico City

We visit another expensive rooftop bar

We have a photoshoot with the chips

There is no evidence but after dinner, we sing I Want It That Way by the Backstreet Boys at a karaoke bar frequented by locals. We think about this experience often

April 5