Mexico City, Mexico

passport stamps, airplanes, sleep deprivation and latin america through a window seat.
- Mexico City, Mexico

the bags under my eyes are dangling like earlobes. sleeplessness is catching up. a dude traveling with us fell asleep standing up. Mexico City surprised me with it's manicured landscape and sophistication. why should it not be so? some of the city parks are a kin to chicago. As the sky scrapers fill the skyline of Manhattan, houses paint the hills of mexico city. They are everywhere, covering every stretch of available landscape.

the work day was challenging today. i was my own translator - a job that i'm unqualified for. it was hard to keep a clear head. Cappuccino's and corn tortitias topped with sautéed carne and fried cotija cheese help. the local culture offers adrenaline. caffeine gives speed. we are always on a time crunch. everything is a rush - even communication. We Americans are electric currents in a country that responds to a different charge. it's a real challenge to stay respectful. that's my regret today, as i'm struggling to communicate in my own language on a few winks of sleep, not mention theirs. I came to a great realization. None of my tone and non-verbals are going to speed up the reality that i cannot fluently speak spanish and negotiate transactions with smoothly. crap attitude gains reverse traction. you almost have to give in to the form and let your body sink into the cushion around you. you have smile and be grateful for the privilege to do business with God's greatest creation on a foreign land. i'm hopeful that negations can take place in niceties. especially after amazing tacos and beer.