Mexico City: TOUR D’HORIZON

barriga llena, corazón contento

By Christina Nguyen

October 1^st, 2018

Month 12

Mexico City a cosmopolitan city filled with culture. This was my second time here, and my final home for Remote Year. The metropolis of contrast reveals the capital's history of pre-Hispanic splendor, and modern contemporary edge. Nestled in every part of the city are old school cantinas, intriguing museums, and ancient canals brimming with experiences. With so much going on it was impossible to cover it all even on my second visit. Here is the run down on month twelve...

Experiences

The Fun Stuff

Living with my homies Vince & Curtis in Parque Mexico.
Commuting on bikes via the Ecobici bikeshare system.
Having my boyfriend, and family come visit for Labor Day Weekend.
Training at an F45 gym all month long.
Throwing down 283 tacos with the Mangata tribe.
Going behind the scenes of a La Lucha Libre show.
Learning how to cook four types of tacos from scratch.
Listening to the thunder roar almost everyday.
Taking a side trip to Bacalar located on the Yucatán Peninsula.
Glamping with the entire Mangata family with special appearances from a few honorary drop outs at the Final Farewell at Las Estacas in Morelos.
Building anticipation and excitement for coming home!
Crying all the time because of the emotions that come with an end of an era.

The Not As Fun Stuff

Montezuma's Revenge came for just about everyone.
Missing out on a lot of things (like hot air balloons over the pyramids) because of said revenge... damn you Montezuma!
Feeling earthquakes on a regular basis.

Stories

If you've been following my stories for the last year it's fairly obvious that being a digital nomad has its perks. It's enabled me to live this lifestyle, and take in new experiences in a modern way. However, one of the things that I have grown tired of is how I am ALWAYS connected to technology ALL.THE.TIME. Prior to Remote Year, I was never really a person who was glued to my phone, and I would often shut down my computer when the work day ended, but that just hasn't been the case this year. My laptop, and my phone are my lifelines. I'm on a computer all day for work, and I'm often on it at night working on personal projects. I check my phone first thing in the morning, and right before bed to always say good morning, and good night to my boyfriend. Throughout the day I am usually trying to keep up with the group texts with RY friends to figure out what's on the agenda for the day/week, or I'm talking to friends from afar to stay in touch.

With our final five-week month approaching, and last opportunity to take a side trip I thought really hard about how I wanted to spend my time before the next chapter begins. It was an easy decision. I wanted to leave the laptop at home, turn off the phone, and fully disconnect in order to reconnect. I was in desperate need for a recharge so I booked a solo trip to the Yucatán peninsula to a remote area called Bacalar. Just a few weeks before I was due to leave a few of my gal pals decided to hop on, and also unplug.

We stayed in a bungalow in the jungle offering a quiet space to relax, and listen to the sounds of nature. We were surrounded by the Lagoon of Seven Colors with a tropical vibe which helped us lose track of time, appreciate the simple things, and be fully in the moment. I came back from the trip feeling completely rejuvenated, and with even more energy to tackle everything ahead of me. The most memorable experience of the trip was participating in a Temazcal Ceremony. What is that you ask? Well...let me try to explain.

As the sun was about to set I stripped down to the bare essentials to get ready for our ceremony. There was a blessing at the entrance of a hut with burning sage. The shaman pointed to a door where I proceeded to crawl on my knees through a tiny opening. Everything went pitch black as the door to the small adobe dome was pushed closed from the outside. The hiss of water hitting hot stones in the center pit began to strike my ears. Slowly I felt the steam rising on my skin, and filling my lungs. My senses began to heighten as the eucalyptus burned intensely. In that moment I felt two things: invigorated, and a sense of panic. Welcome to Temazcal-- a Mesoamerican sweat lodge.

This ritual has deep roots representing the center of the earth-- the place between the heavens, and the underworld. My eyes couldn't make out a single thing, and the hot air was rising quickly. I closed my eyes, and started to shift into a meditative waking trance. After a long moment of silence the shaman started to play the drums, and chanted loudly. She sang in Spanish, and while I couldn't make out all the words I could tell that she was speaking to the gods. She was giving thanks, making offerings, and asking for blessings. Deep vibrations from the drums, and melodic lyrics were pulsating through the thick air, and bouncing in every direction of the circular dome. More water was hurled onto the hot stones, the heat continued rising, and sweat was streaming from head to toe. I could feel my pores opening. My heart rate was rising. My lungs were being cleansed. The energy was continuously building. A spiritual purification was taking place.

Periodically, I questioned how much more could I endure, but stopping just wasn't an option. It becomes a test of your strength, and mental fortitude. The experience is powerful, and elicited strong emotions that at times brought me to tears. Eventually, I decided to lie on the ground where the heat is less intense, and began to focus on what I was there to let go of, and leave behind in this small womb-like hut. Moments of past, present, and future flashed brightly before my eyes through the darkness. I told myself that I am ready for a rebirth, and finally, (about 90 minutes later) the door opens. The sunlight, and cool air rushed in. The shaman splashed cold water on us while we gasped for fresh air. I crawled out of the dome feeling like a new person physically, mentally, and spiritually. This ceremony wasn't about pushing through a glorified sauna. It was about opening up to receive spiritual medicine. We moved past the point of resistance so we could heal past wounds, bring up the things that we have suppressed, and gallantly setting it free into the universe. The Temazcal Ceremony was about bravely stepping out of safety, moving forward into growth, and releasing the fear far beyond your reach.

Connections

I spent the first few weeks of Mexico City sick, and bed ridden. I missed out on a lot of activities, and did far less exploring compared to the other cities I've lived in. But it just didn't matter to me this month. My year has been packed with so many incredible places, countless experiences, but none of it would have been as special had it not been for the people I had to share it with. It really starts to set in when you realize that your days are dwindling, and you're about to have to say "see you later" to the fifty people that you have spent every single day for the last 365 days traveling, working, and living with.

You see everyone at their best, but also at their most vulnerable which breeds real connection. It's been difficult for me to articulate what this group has meant to me. I really haven't processed it entirely, or maybe I just haven't had enough time for the hindsight to set in on how big of an impact that this crew has made on what was one of the most formative years of my life. I do know how uniquely special this feeling is though. I crossed paths with a Remote Year Citizen from an early RY group in Lisbon. He made a video called "To My Family" that beautifully summed up the emotions that I am currently feeling towards this experience because this year wasn't just about traveling. It was about so much more than words could ever describe. Check out the first 4 minutes here.

Ultimately this group has taught me that you might not be able to control your environment, but attitude is a choice you make everyday about the way you show up. So this month's connection shout out goes to each, and every person who wrote their chapter in this crazy book called Remote Year Mangata. You made the choice to show up in Croatia, and every single day until our final days in Mexico. Thank you for showing up, and owning the unknown with me. I will forever be grateful for the contribution you've made on my journey.

Owning the Unknown

To be honest Mexico City itself was the last priority this month. Having been here already I immediately felt a sense of comfort, and familiarity that helped me establish routines which allowed me to focus on cherishing my last month with my friends, and get ready to hit the ground running when I hit state side. Lush parks, friendly locals, and modern comforts made Mexico City feel like a home I belonged to. Remote Year reminded me that I belonged everywhere, and nowhere at the same time.

“You are only free when you realize you belong no place—you belong every place—no place at all. The price is high. The reward is great.” - Brene Brown