Ciudad de Mexico

We arrived in the airport on time and caught an Uber easily. It was A gorgeous Saturday. We had booked a hotel from Expedia named Hotel Villa Condesa between the Condesa and Roma Norte sections of Mexico. City. The Uber ride was about 40 minutes and less than 20 USD. So easy. The driver dropped us off and then we looked around the tree lined street. We were at the correct address but no hotel sign. Then magically the blue gate opened and we were greeted by a nice man. The interior gardens were beautiful. He escorted us to the front desk. Easy to check in and he took us to our room.

The hotel has 16 rooms, with a tiny restaurant. Our room had a little terrace attached to the room.

We needed a small bite to eat so we ventured outside the hotel. The streets are cobblestone and broken concrete and a variety of other materials. One must be vigil while walking or a broken ankle is inevitable. We discussed our usual travel rules….no box hotels, no chain restaurants and try different food. Just a few blocks away we found a very authentic looking place. Menu of the day but not everything was available.

We ordered a beer and I had Chile Relleno con Queso and Natalie had the beefsteak. Neither were edible!

We walked a bit down one of the streets with shops and restaurants. So many dogs! We walked by an Irish pub, then a second one but we kept going until we saw Gin Gin. We had both had heard of it. I had a mezcal and berry martini and Natalie had an Old Fashion. It was a perfect place to people watch. The couple behind us seemed to be on a first date and the he mentioned Madison Wisconsin. I asked him if he was from Wisconsin and he said his brother worked at Epic, a large medical software company. We actually were in front of him two days later at the airport. He ignored us.

We just walked around, wandering around the streets. People just walk g around with dogs and babies. We found ourselves at the origination of Tacos al Pastor. So we sat down and tried one.

We were hoping that these tacos would be amazing, but alas….

I am a really picky eater and always trying to find great food. I would rather spend money on food than accommodations. We walked a bit more until we passed the Irish Pub again. So we made the mandatory stop as had been decided years ago in Shanghai with my friend, Megan. She is very Irish. I found out recently that I am 10 % on my Dads side. Now, every foreign country I go to, I try to find an Irish pub. This one was called Wallace.

We ordered Manhattans and they were served to us perfectly!

We walked back to our hotel. Stopped at a local OXXO for a cheap bottle of wine. Our nice hotel opened it and brought us nice glasses. I am so lucky that my beautiful daughter enjoys traveling with me! My son does too! I feel sorry for the families that don’t. I certainly have had crazy travel trips with my Mom too.

We decided to watch a little mini series called, Alias,Grace. Just six episodes over the next nights, then Le Miz. Reading, “West with Giraffes” about two giraffes traveling from NYC in 1938 to the San Diego Zoo. A great read. Also, “Winston Churchill, the early years” and “Taste My life through Food.” By Stanley Tucci.