The other day my husband was commenting about our trip to Temecula at work.  A guy, who was overhearing the conversation from afar, approached him during break time.

“How can you afford to go to those places with the low salaries we make in here?” the guy asked with a puzzled face.

My husband explained how we didn’t spend a lot of money on our two day mini vacation.  I am sure the guy didn’t buy the explanation and conclude we have other ways to make this possible.  I don’t blame him.  For some reason, a lot of people think short getaways and exciting activities are proportionally related to large sums of money.

Some time ago, I used to have a good job in the aerospace industry.  During those times, we had the fortune to spend quite a bit of money traveling, doing weekend trips and eating out.  More than a year ago, I lost my job and started living on less than a third of my salary.  My husband was also unemployed for some time.  You may think we have stopped our usual exploration and discovery trips.  However, that is not the case.  We have had to scale down but our desire to go out and enjoy life is still there.  Therefore, we have found ways to do what we like.  The point is that there are thing to do, places to visit and restaurant to try for every budget and situation.

Believe me, I have been on both sides of the coin.  I know my economic situation and make realistic decisions of what I can afford and what not.  I knew I was not going to be able to fly in a hot air balloon or visit a modern spa in Temecula. On the other hand, I knew cheese, olive oil and balsamic vinegar tasting were within my budget.  I didn’t spend a lot having breakfast at a local joint, chatting with residents and browsing antique stores.  I managed to have a great time, have new experiences while staying away from debt.

Sure, I know I am not going to be able go on a trip like that every weekend so I supplement my desire of adventure with local activities.  I go to the beach, explore farmer’s markets, walk in the park and eat fish tacos on Tuesdays (when they are on offer).  There is also time to visit friends and to get out of my list places I have never visited (I keep finding more of those).  I can say I go out at least two times a week. 

Since I know where my heart is, I make sure I take the correct decisions on where to spend my money.  I am not interested in certain services (cable, newspapers, Netflix), expensive gadgets (humongous flat TVs, changing cell phones every 6 months), gas chugging automobiles or high end brand clothing.  With time, I am making an effort to invest on experiences and things I truly enjoy.  I don’t want to be the caterpillar that never gets out of the cocoon because I am tied to possessions.

I would say this again, I have been able to enjoy the good things of life during good times but also during rough times.  There is no reason to be trapped in a bubble or in the rat race.  Get informed and creative.  There is something out there for you. 

Do you think it is possible to enjoy life even during hard times?

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Desolation reigns during the rainy Monday morning. Few people walk on Front Street and businesses are empty even though it is almost midday.

After wandering aimlessly, we found the center of action by an act of chance.  The long waiting time, high piles of pancakes and servers running around ratify the Swing Inn Café as the place to have a hearty (and lively) breakfast.  It is like the entire town moved here.

Wooden chairs and tables, weary booths, pie and meatloaf offerings are a staple in here.  Every time a party enters a round of kisses and hi fives is exchanged with the servers and one or another friend spotted on a corner.

 The café not only personifies the town’s atmosphere but the style too.  A group composed of various adults and children wears jeans, boots and shirts imprinted with horses and mules.  Once they leave, a tall fellow wearing a big hat takes the place.  There is no a lot of space for the food because the hat takes almost the entire space over the table.

 Temecula resembles the old, wild west towns Hollywood presents in its movies.  Cowboys walk throughout Old Town streets and Indians own a huge casino located nearby.  The fight between the parties has been over for quite some time but the 1800s atmosphere remains.  The little details continue to transport visitors to the pioneer days.

 The Temecula natives were called Luiseños by the Spaniards (after the San Luis Rey de Francia Mission).  The Europeans started to arrive to the area in the late 1700s, the Indians claims they have been living on the land for the last 10,000 years.  Temecula is one of the few towns in California that conserves its original name.  The name can be interpreted as “the place of the sun,” “the sun that shines through the mist,” or “where the sun breaks through the mist.” Later, the Indians lost their land when Mexico implanted the ‘ranchos’ system.

 The foundation of the ‘modern’ town goes back to 1859, the year when a postal office was established in the area.  In 1882, the United States government established an Indian Reservation some 8 miles from downtown.  The town gained fame as a grain and cattle shipping point during the late 1800s.

 What we call today “Old Town Temecula”, is a collection of historic 1890s buildings, antique stores, hotels, specialty food stores, boutiques, gift and collectible stores, and antique dealers.  It is also the home of events such as cars shows and western days. The area is gaining reputation because of its nearby wine country.

 I didn’t think Temecula was going to win me over in such an amazing and strange (still dream about the mashed potatoes I ate at the Pechanga casino) way.  I only scratched the surface (the weather didn’t cooperate).  There are many more things to discover in the area and I am looking forward to my next visit. 

Get a feeling of the town with the next photos.

Have you visited Temecula?

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 I have driven this stretch of Fairfax Avenue many times.  The colorful markets, the lunch menus written in foreign characters and the combination of onion / garlic aromas have always caught my attention.  I am not sure why I haven’t stop here before considering it is relatively close to my house.

Little Ethiopia started to gain fame in the early 1990s. The area is filled with Ethiopian businesses and restaurants, as well as a significant concentration of residents of Ethiopian and Eritrean ancestry.

The businesses are spread along only a block.  However, there are enough reasons to visit more than one time.  I don’t think you are going to be able to sample all the gastronomic offerings during one lunch or dinner!

The day of getting a taste of Little Ethiopia arrived.  I am glad it did since various ingredients and cooking techniques took me back to Puerto Rico (unbelievable to see how much African influence there is in the island).

We decided to have lunch at Rosalind’s, a restaurant that serves Ethiopian, Ghanaian and Nigerian food.  The low light, straw accents and multi-toned murals added character to the quiet place.  I have read about Ethiopian food but have never tried it before.  My husband decided for the fried rainbow trout as soon as he saw it on the menu.  I ordered with the help of our delightful server. 

 For the appetizer, we ordered the Ghanaian yam balls.  These were very different from what I was expecting (we have various yam concoctions in Puerto Rico but nothing like this).  The word yam can refer to many tuberous roots and I couldn’t determine which one I tasted.  Further research pointed to the white yam (what we call “batata blanca”).  I should have known because of the sweet taste but the color fooled me.  The yams are mixed with butter, corn flour, garlic powder, milk and breadcrumbs.  These give the balls a caramel color and soft texture.

The yam balls came with pili pili sauce for dipping.  This sauce is made with African bird’s eye chilies and it is also known as piri piri or peri peri.  The combination of crushed chilies, onions, garlic, lemon juice, oregano, tarragon pickled in olive oil was to die for.  The end result is very spicy but tolerable since we are not talking about mouth burning peppers.  The sauce paired very well with the yam balls and with the rest of the food.

I ordered the awaze tibs which consist of beef marinated with awaze sauce cooked with tomatoes, onions and chilies.  I was surprised when the server brought a huge plate covered with enjera bread and a big mound of the tibs in the center.  The plate looked like a work of art since the meat was surrounded by green (collard greens sautéed with onions, peppers and garlic salt), red (red lentils cooked with herbed garlic and ginger) and yellow (or cabbage cooked with potatoes and carrots) mounds.

I received another plate full of enjera bread pieces folded like soft bath towels.  To eat, you are supposed to grab the food with pieces of the bread (no cutlery should be involved).  I felt an explosion of flavor every time I brought to my mouth the different dishes surrounded by the acid, sometimes bitter,  bread.

My husband ordered the fish tibs.  This is Ethiopian style whole fried rainbow trout.  I am not sure how to describe this dish.  Let’s just say this fish ruined the concept we had about fried fish in other restaurants (even the fried fish we love so much from a Chinese restaurant close to home).  The fish was tender, juicy and flavorful.  Even though this was a fried dish, there are very few oil residues.  The magic of the dish is the crispy skin that even separates from the fish and has a pork cracklings texture.  It was so delicious!

I am really excited about this experience and couldn’t wait to share. I can wait to sample more dishes and learn about African food.  I hope there are enough descriptions in here to make you want to visit Little Ethiopia in Los Angeles or an Ethiopian restaurant near you.  I believe this area will become a favorite since now on.

Have you tried Ethiopian food?

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This post is part of a weekly feature called Discovery of the Week. By discovery, I mean a place, a custom or dish that is not widely known. See, I love to read travel magazines, websites and books. Very often, I find beautiful and interesting gems that not a lot of people seem to know about. That is why I thought about introducing this feature because I am sure it will expose a lot of astonishing places. Additionally, I enjoy learning about the many amazing places in the world. I believe my readers also enjoy this activity.

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Discovery of the Week: Beaches around Lagos

Where it is located: Region of Algarve, in southern Portugal

What it is: Incredible turquoise water beaches surrounded by karst cliffs.

We have all seen pictures of the gorgeous beaches of the Algarve region.  The area can be described as a fantasy of rusty cliffs, capricious rock formations, stunning natural arches and water in stunning shades of blue and green. With a coast full of seemingly endless options, it may be difficult to choose a base.  Fear not my friends, Lagos has some of the best beaches in the region (and they are close to one another which allow fashionable beach hopping).

The town of Lagos is one of the main hubs of the area because of its well planned tourist infrastructure.  Visitors boast about the close to town beaches, delicious food and elegant restaurants.  However, if you want to be wowed by beauty, visit some of the more “inaccessible” beaches in the area.  You will need to go up and down hundreds of steps but the rewards are worthwhile.

Here are my favorite beaches around town:

Praia da Dona Ana (Dona Ana Beach)

Embraced by cliffs, which offer shelter from any sea breezes and the magnificent rock formations offer a fabulous sight from the beach.

Praia do Camilo (Camilo Beach)

The view over the beach from the top is breathtaking and if you can make it down all the steps you will not be disappointed! Picturesque cliffs embrace the little beach and the rock formations are magnificent. It is a wonderfully sheltered bay for swimming and is an ideal choice of beach for a breezy day.

Ponta da Piedade (Mercy Point)

People gather on the cliffs to watch the sun set behind Sagres – it really is a sight not to miss and all this before exploring the amazing caves underneath the cliffs on one of the many boat trips.

 Did you know about these beaches?

Photo Credits: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9

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Yesterday, I was looking for a specific book in one of my closets. 

While moving folders, books and magazines, I distinguished curvy characters thru a plastic bag. Could it be?

For years, I have been looking for a set of postcards I bought in Thailand.  I have stopped buying trivial, not useful souvenirs during my travels.  Postcards are the exception.  They are cheap, easy to carry and provide the opportunity to transport you to the place where they were bought.  I usually stick them somewhere around the house or office.

Now, this wasn’t a ‘regular’ postcard set.  They are more a splash of pictures, sketches and words, something artists call a collage.  The unstructured flow of Thai scenes and symbols caught my heart since the moment I saw them at a 7 Eleven stand (yes, those exist in Thailand).  I bought a bunch of them with the purposes of creating a project once at home.

The bad news is that I couldn’t remember where I place the postcards once I arrived.  I figured they were somewhere in the garage but, with my allergy problems, I am not the happiest person looking thru dusty, smelly boxes.

To my surprise, the postcards have been in front of me all this time.  When I saw them, I felt the same emotion I felt the first time I saw them.  Well, a different emotion since I was able to have a vivid daydreaming about Thailand, a country so close to my heart.

I had to share these postcards with you.  I am sure you are going to love them.

Here they are. Enjoy!

What postcard brought you specific memories of Thailand?

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Few destinations can boast luxury and idyllic beauty quite like Spain’s iconic ‘White Coast’ – better known as the Costa Blanca. Situated just a short flight from Alicante, this stunning stretch of coastline features 200km of sandy beaches, buckets of stunning scenery and all the best bits of Spanish culture. 

The popular coastline also boasts an excellent range of resorts and accommodation options to choose from. So if you’ve got the Costa Blanca at the top of your travel list, here’s our pick of the very best resorts to visit:

La Torre Golf Resort

There’s more to this resort than its sporting namesake, but golfing fans will certainly be in for a treat. Alongside the world-class golfing facilities, the resort is located only a stone’s throw from some of the best beaches in the region. There are three main beach areas, each with their own character and list of activities. When guests aren’t making the most of the delicious local tapas, sangria and amazing seafood, they are enjoying horse riding, lawn bowls, water sports and go-karting.

Villajoyosa

Located in a coastal town, just 32km from Alicante, there are plenty of fantastic properties available for holidaymakers looking to visit this resort. Alongside the usual sun-kissed beaches that you’d expect in any other part of the Costa Blanca, Villajoyosa is also well-known for its historical and cultural appeal.

If you’re looking for interesting sites to visit, then popular tourist attractions include the resort’s Gothic Catholic church, finished with a Baroque style altar piece. Elsewhere, the natural beauty of the area is elevated by the presence of the river Amadòrio and more than three kilometres of beaches. With the town’s literal translation meaning ‘joyful village’, this is certainly a great place to spend your holiday.

La Manga Club

Named a best family friendly European resort, La Manga Club is the ideal place for holidaymakers looking for fun in the sun with the kids. Whether you want to watch your stresses melt away on the putting green or have them worked away with gentle massages from a spa, this resort is up to the task.

 There are a total of three golf courses available, with the on-site spa offering more than 50 treatments. An indoor pool measuring 25m is ideal for those looking for a quick dip outside of the sea and there are even steam rooms, saunas and jacuzzis to help you make the most of your relaxation afterwards.

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Looks like bad weather is following me wherever I go (remember my Palm Springs odyssey).  I just returned from Temecula but, this time, rain didn’t deter me from having a fantastic culinary adventure.

This area may have some high end restaurants, presided by very talented chefs but, in this post, I would like to refer to the specialty food stores located in Old Town.  Why? Because they are located in a compact area and they offer the opportunity to sample unique products. Plus, what I think is more amazing, you can have great food at very affordable prices.

Here are the places I tried:

Temecula Valley Cheese Company  

From all the places I researched in Temecula, this is the one I wanted to visit the most.  The opportunity of trying new cheeses kept me floating thru the sidewalk. 

To be honest, I wasn’t impressed at first.  The shop is a dimly lit, open space with few but elegant pieces of furniture positioned in certain areas.  The variety of cheeses in the fridge looked small to me but it got difficult to decide what to choose for my cheese plate.

I ended up ordering a Mahon (from Menorca, Spain) and Idiazabal (from Basque Country, Spain) cheese plate.  I got really excited when I was delivered a basket of French, crusty bread and a big plate with the cheeses, apples, strawberries, almonds, figs drizzled with honey and the smallest, sweetest raisins I have ever tried.  A small plate of green olives was included too.

Everything was top notch and I could have eaten more but we visited after lunch.  In addition, I asked for a sample of Sage Derby since its green color caught my attention.  I just loved how different this cheese is.

Details: You can order two, three and four cheese plates.  When I visited, there were cheese from Spain, France, England, Italy, Greece and other countries.  There were a lot of varieties I have never seen in supermarkets.  There is an option to add meat to your plates.  And of course, you can buy a small or big quantity of your favorite cheese.

Price: $12 for a two cheese plate

Temecula Olive Oil Co.

The attendants in this store have to be the nicest people in town.  From the moment you enter the store, a group of very sweet ladies direct you to the tasting room.  You don’t have to go if you don’t want but I can’t imagine somebody turning over the opportunity of a free tasting.  I know it sounds weird, olive oil tasting, but you will get surprised at the flavors that get mixed.

The lady that was pouring the samples started by offering us ‘shots’ of extra virgin olive oil.  Then, she poured some blood orange and basil infused oils.  It was time to mix the oils with balsamic vinegars.   I don’t remember the exact mixes but I remember the garlic, chili, vanilla, pomegranate and honey flavors.  I wasn’t expecting something so good.  Believe me, you have to try this even though you will end with greasy lips.

Details:  All the oils in the store are made with Californian olives.  They also sell balsamic vinegars, sauces, spreads, pasta and other products such as sea salts and soaps.

Price: Tasting is free.  A bottle of olive oil is around $18 and one of balsamic vinegar is about $16.  However, you are not obligated to buy.

Old Town Sweet Shop

As soon as I entered this store, my mouth started to water.  Close to the front door, there is a large variety of taffy, gummies, licorice, chocolate, rock candy and jelly beans.  In the back, they have hand-made fudge, chocolate covered strawberries, caramel covered apples and chocolate truffles.  The smell is heavenly. 

Details: It is not possible to describe everything that is inside this store.  They have over 300 candies and hand scooped ice cream.  I bet you can find your childhood favorite here.

Price: Variable.  Depends on how much you buy.

Old Town Rootbeer Company

There are fewer things that gross me more than root beer (or cream soda or Dr. Pepper).  Because I am a good wife (wink, wink), I told my root beer lover husband about this store in Old Town.  The attendant told me the place has every type of soda you can imagine of.  My husband tried two varieties and he said they were delicious.  He ended up buying some to go.

Even though I didn’t try anything in here, I ended up having a good laugh. Some of the beverage’s labels were described as dog slime, toxic waste, apple pie, bubble gum and jalapeno.  The labels were equally original and disturbing (one had Osama Bin Laden face, go figure). 

Details: Like I said, all sort of flavors you have never seen before. They also have root beer floats.

Price: $2 to $3 dollars for individual bottles.

Other stores to try:

Del Rios Cupcakes and Supplies

Old Town Spice Merchants

The Chili Gourmet

Jerky House

Also check out Old Town Temecula Farmer’s Market for delicious specialties from the area.

What would you like to try in Old Town Temecula?

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With the ski season over and done with for another year, now is a perfect time to book your next stint on the slopes, with plenty of online opportunities for great savings. Whether you choose to ski Italy or head over the Atlantic to the Canadian Rockies, skiing is an awesome way to let off some steam and feel the buzz of an adrenaline fuelled break.

While experienced skiers will already have an element of fitness, beginners may not have. Don’t let this dishearten you though – you can prepare yourself, and your body, in no time. You don’t even have to fork out for a gym membership if you don’t want to either – it’s not for everyone and it’s not the only solution.

Check out some of these fab ways to improve your fitness in time for the winter season.

Walking is an awesome way to exercise, strengthening and warming up the leg muscles in time for some ski action. Whether you’re an avid walker anyway, or you’re in charge of walking the dog, take the opportunity of the good weather this summer that shall hopefully happen and get outside! Take the dog for a jog through the woodland or spend a little more time outdoors hiking and enjoying the fresh air.

If you decide to take a nice walk in the countryside, don’t opt for the easy routes. Choose steeper paths to work out your muscles a little more!

Playing with the kids outside is a fab way to enjoy some fun exercise. Enjoy a kickabout in the park or a game of rounders if there’s a few of you, or dust off the cobwebs on your bike and go for a family bike ride.

Avoid using the car if you can help it. It may be more convenient but it’s nowhere near as good for your fitness. Plus, you’ll be helping the environment too!

Skiing with Neilson holidays opens up a whole host of possibilities for skiers of all proficiencies. Head online for some fantastic deals – as it’s the end of season this year, you may be able to bag a bargain!

Photo Credit: Couchevel Tourism 

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This post is part of a weekly feature called Discovery of the Week. By discovery, I mean a place, a custom or dish that is not widely known. See, I love to read travel magazines, websites and books. Very often, I find beautiful and interesting gems that not a lot of people seem to know about. That is why I thought about introducing this feature because I am sure it will expose a lot of astonishing places. Additionally, I enjoy learning about the many amazing places in the world. I believe my readers also enjoy this activity.

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Discovery of the Week: Nahanni National Park Preserve

Where it is located: Northwest Territories, Canada

What it is: A natural area consisting of hot springs, alpine tundra, mountain ranges, canyons, forests and limestone caves.  The centerpiece of the park is the South Nahanni River. Four noteworthy canyons called First, Second, Third and Fourth Canyon, line this spectacular whitewater river. The South Nahanni is a rare example of an antecedent river. The mountains rose slowly enough, and the river was powerful enough that the river maintained its course over its history, meaning it has the same path today as it did before the mountains rose. As the river was meandering, the canyons it carved also meander.

The most visited sight in the park is the Virginia Falls.  In here, the river plunges 90 m (295 ft) in a thunderous plume. In the centre of the falls is a dramatic spire of resistant rock, called Mason’s Rock after Bill Mason, the famous Canadian canoeist, author, and filmmaker.

Unfortunately, this is not an area of easy access.  The only practical way to arrive to the park is by floatplane or helicopter.  As a result, it is estimated that only 800 to 1000 people visit every year.  On top of that, only certain areas are designated for day use.  All visitors must register with park officials before entering boundaries.  Therefore, for most of us, the only way to get a glimpse of Nahanni’s beauty is thru photos.

Did you know about Nahanni National Park?

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Quite a long piece today.  I have been writing several stories to submit to a writing course I am taking.  Hope you enjoy.

After a long day of sightseeing, it was time to transfer to the airport.  From a shaded plaza, in front of the Cibeles Fountain located in the Roma colony, my husband proceeded to hail a cab.

A few minutes later, a taxi driver slowly directed his vehicle toward us.  A group, consisting of three men in business attire, ran towards the taxi in an effort to ‘steal’ the cab from my husband.  Several instructions were shouted to the driver at the same time.

The driver dismissed the other party while directing his attention to my husband.  One of the other guys, in a spurt of angriness, told the driver, “Who do you think you are, #*%*@?”

“What did you say?” asked him the driver.  The man proceeded to insult him with harsher words this time. 

The next series of event are not clear in my mind.  The taxi driver got out the car and one of the guys jumped over him.  All I could hear was my husband shouting, “Run!”

While we were hurrying to the other side of the plaza, a man approached us, “Do you need taxi service?” After agreeing on a price to the airport, my husband jumped in the front seat.  I took the back seat behind the driver.

Distressed by what just happened my thoughts began to organize, “Wait, what are the colors of this car? I think this is an all wine car. Oh no, we just got into a pirate taxi.”

Plaza at Colonia Roma

Facing Reality

Mexico City, with a population of 21 million, is served by thousands of taxis.  Even though I have my reservations with this transportation medium, the ones in Mexico are cheap, fast and convenient.  Many friends who live in the city have assured me there should not be any problem as long as I stick to the registered taxis (painted in wine and gold colors).  For every registered taxi in the city, there may be 3 guys transporting people in their particular cars.  “Those unlicensed, impossible to track services, are the ones you should avoid,” have said my friends countless times.

It is not a secret. I have been in this situation before (in other countries).  Call it naivety, distraction or stupidity.  That is why I couldn’t understand why my paranoiac state was causing sweaty palms and shaky legs.  Taxi drivers have always been my go to source of encyclopedic information, current trends, latest music happenings and adrenaline induced adventure.  The description of their vehicles (registered, licensed, speedy, gypsy, hack) has never been related to the satisfaction derived from riding with them. 

Traffic Jam

Riding to the Airport

The day of the altercation, after seeing two 50 years old hitting each other, the last thing I was going to do was to notice the color of the car which was taking me out of the conflict zone.  Seconds after boarding, my eyes were scanning all areas in an evidence gathering mode.  My husband connected with the driver right away.  They were laughing out loud like childhood pals.

The inside of the car was immaculate, no rough surfaces or sticky carpets.  The windows went up and down in a zilch.  There was even a vanilla aroma.  The driver itself was a middle age, well dressed man.  His accent revealed he was not from the D.F.  I didn’t hear one ‘chale guey’ during the entire conversation.  His smooth, light skin denounced how he has used his “entrepreneurial” skills to survive in a rough city.

My reconnaissance efforts didn’t yield any suspicious activity.  It was time to embrace the situation and get the best out of it.  At least, I was riding to the airport in style.

“The people in this city are crazy,” I heard the driver say with added emphasis. “I have to deal with rude and drunk people. I have been accused of robbery by clients.  Some people don’t want to pay.  This morning one lady couldn’t hold herself and peed over one of the seats. She cried of shame but common man,” he said while hitting the steering wheel.  I was begging that lady didn’t seat in the same spot I was.

Modern Buildings in Paseo Reforma

Getting Deeper

Even though I have got to know Mexico City well, I couldn’t determine where we were.  The shadiness of the buildings couldn’t distract me from the huge amount of cars trying to squeeze throughout the skinny lanes. I was expecting to see flying vehicles since they were already on the road, the emergency lane and the green areas.  The stressful scene didn’t seem to provoke a hint of bitterness in the driver.  He continues telling his stories, jokes and observation in a cheerful way.

After a phone call full of romantic terms, the driver started to talk about his family.  “My daughter is visiting from the States.  I surprised her with a trip to Huatulco.  Once she returned, she found a brochure and got fixated with Hidalgo.  I had to take her to the Prismas Basalticos and to Tula.  I spent a big chunk of cash on her but that is why I work.”

Finally, we got out of the fastidious jam and started to gain velocity over an elevated expressway.  At that point, we were in full conversation, shooting questions and answers to each other.  It felt like in a road trip throughout the nook and crannies of the biggest city in Mexico. 

The camaraderie didn’t take my sigh from the erratic things this guy was doing.  No hands on the steering wheel.  Talking on the phone on the sharpest curves.  Kissing a goat’s foot hanging from the rear mirror (his lucky charm).  Maybe all taxi drivers have a hint of madness.  Not by selection but because their jobs have shaped them like that.

Sea of people coming towards the Zocalo

The Goodbye

“Hey, buddy.  We are about to arrive.  Can you pay me now?  I don’t want to get in trouble with the police officers patrolling the airport,” the driver said pleading for our comprehension.  At this point, we didn’t have to pretend anything.  We really felt like a friend was taking us to the airport.

Seconds before parting ways, when waiting for a spot to park in front of the terminal, the driver took out a business card from his wallet.  “Guys, make sure to call me up if you come back to the D.F.  I can help you with anything you need.” he said looking straight to our eyes.  “If you want to do the touristic circuit, I can take you to the Pyramids, Morelos, Hidalgo, Puebla and even Acapulco.”  We thanked him for everything, shook hands and waited till he was out of sight.

Once inside the terminal, my husband started to laugh.  “The nickname of the taxi driver is ‘Gato Seco.’ I saw it in his card.”

I started to chuckle not only because of the nickname but because of all that happened in the previous hour and a half. “Did you notice his taxi was unlicensed?” I said while trying to compose myself.

“Oh yes.  But I didn’t care.  Every time we come to this city, we get the most unique taxi drivers,” said my husband and I couldn’t agree more with him.

I have always said people are the ultimate reason why I travel.  The events of that day could not have confirmed more my way of thinking.  All the wonderful sights in Mexico City such as the Independence Angel, the Museum of Anthropology, the Chapultepec Castle, the world famous UNAM Campus, Coyoacan and the Zocalo, will have to forgive me.  I prefer the humanized city of street vendors, shoe shiners, artists and pirate taxi drivers.  From now on, it would be difficult to think about Mexico City without remembering Gato Seco’s stories.

Who has given a human face to a city you have visited?

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