Mexico City

Mexico has been good. On the 2nd night, I was walking home from a bar and a cop car passed me, I know the score, then it pulled back to ask me a few questions. I was nervous while talking to the officer in the passenger seat. They asked me if I had weapons or drugs. I answered no. Then they searched me…shook me down. They didn’t detect my THC vape pen in my front pocket. I few days later I walked out my hotel with a beer in my hand was immediately pulled over by two over-excited cops who threatened to haul me into the police station to pay a fine for drinking in public. I pleaded my case and was able to walk away with my beer after paying them about 15 dollars. This has happened many times over the years in Mexico so I’m an old pro. Lol.

Social Anxiety

I haven’t been very social but been busy walking around town, talking to the merchants, and the girls who work at the front desks or hostesses. I want to talk to strangers but it’s so unnatural. I get stage-fright. Everyday, like I did in Brazil, I wake up promising myself that I will talk to strangers. Always saying tomorrow’s the day. At times optimism will allow you to not leave your comfort zone.

Talking To Strangers
I was at a cafe today and I was determined to initiate a conversation with a stranger. There was a girl reading a book at a table nearby. I struck up a conversation with her. Turns out she was reading a book in English, written by the guy who wrote Fight Club. We talked a lot and traded Instagrams. I told her perhaps I’ll invite her out if I do anything. I crossed a hurdle!

Stolen Number
I discovered an incorrect charge on my debit card. Somebody got my number and bought something for 400 dollars. I quickly called my bank in order for them to wipe off the charge but they have to cancel my debit card. How am I going to get cold hard cash in Mexico? Well, at least I have my credit card.

Editing All Day
While here I’ve been busy edited construction videos for a company, Mortonstones, back in Miami…more specifically, Fort Lauderdale.

Also, I’ve been editing a mockumentary that me and my friend Oppie created called The Roadents. Add to this I’ve been studying and using the software After Effects. It’s a powerful editing program for special effects. It’s complicated and tedious but so damn good that any editor worth his weight in beans has to learn it.

Cacao
I went to a Cacao ceremony hosted by a Mexican friend, Maru, who from Mexico City. Cacao is chocolate without the sugar and milk. 15 of us sat on the floor in a circle singing songs and each taking turns telling the group what we are thankful for. We drank it from bowls made from coconut shells. It was enjoyable, and a welcome change from my normal daily routine. Cacao is not a drug, as far as I know, but it does give you a slight hangover the next day. Maru invited me to a two-day Ayahuasca ceremony the following weekend. I wanted to attend but I had too much editing to do. I’ve taken Ayahuasca two times before, in Brazil and Miami, and I recommend it. It allows you to get out of your mind and see yourself, and the world, from a different point of view.

Vlog
I’m going to start a simple Vlog. Just me looking into the camera and talking in Spanish. Not to reach an audience but to get in the habit of making that style of filmmaking and to practice Spanish and practice speaking in front of the camera. And to put down on record what I’m doing and how I’m behaving in the present.

Death of My Mom

Soon after arriving in Mexico City I found out my Mother had died. My Mom wasn’t doing very well. Her death was not a surprise for any of us. She was on her deathbed. The day before I flew to Mexico, I, my brother, and my Aunt had been with her in Tucson. We spent the day with her talking about memories we shared in the past. She laid in bed listening to us while doing nothing more than blinking. My brother whispered to her that it was alright if she passed on. And she did.