What a Year This Month Has Been

Over the summer, I got it in my head that it’d be nice to do another “working abroad” trip during February. Rather than doing the other side of the world, with all the timezone challenges that brings, I decided on Mexico City: one of my favorite cities in the world, and conveniently in the same timezone (this time of the year anyways).

Of course, at the time I planned this trip, I didn’t know my state would be the target of a campaign of mass violence at the hands of the federal government. January was a month of horrors and protest, chaos and community. I was pretty sure I’d end up canceling the trip, but ultimately decided that I can continue to contribute from here, and if things get worse, I’m less than four hours away. So, I’m writing this from Mexico City.

I’ve rented an Airbnb in the Roma neighborhood – right on the border between Roma Norte and Roma Sur. It’s a delightful place with lots of light and great wifi, which mostly satisfies Maslow’s hierarchy.

I got here Sunday afternoon, and got to the Airbnb early. My host was still cleaning (with the help of her very cute dog) so I took a walk around the nearby Ramón López Velarde park. There was a farmers market just wrapping up, and everyone was out enjoying the park. Mexico City is, by some magnitude, the best dog city I’ve ever been to. This park has numerous dog play areas, along with dedicated jogging tracks and some awesome natural play areas for kids. I got some birria tacos at a food stall, then hit the grocery story before circling back to the apartment. In the evening, I hit up El Tizoncito, the place that claims to have invented the Al Pastor taco.

My plans for this trip are a lot like my time in Vietnam – I want to have a normal routine, living like a (privileged) local. Since I’m in Central time, I’ll be doing more Zoom calls and synchronous work than last year, but I’m still trying to block time for some of the more focused work I have trouble getting to during my busy work weeks.

Yesterday, I visited the nearest bouldering gym, which was packed and full of energy. This morning, I went to Orangetheory, the fitness cult I’m part of back in Minnesota. My Spanish is still pretty weak, but I’m getting more comfortable. Following along the fitness class was mostly ok, though the combination of altitude and smog means my lungs are struggling a bit.

I’m not going to blog about each and every taco and coffee shop, but over the month I’ll write some posts capturing some of the highlight activities. For now, enjoy some pictures … mostly of tacos.