Happy Friday! It’s the last Friday of September! This post is being written early as my mom is coming to visit this weekend, and I will be offline to explore the city.
What’s on my mind: Where to go (live?) in 2022
Back to stressing about the future (similar to a few weeks ago). It’s only late September, but I am constantly thinking about where to go/live for the few months of 2022.
It sounds like March-ish to May-ish will be spent in (Western) Europe (yay!). But that still leaves me with a question of where to spend the first 2-3 months of the year.
The obvious choice is to come back to Mexico. We know what to expect and there’s no covid testing/insurance requirements. If we came back here, would we repeat a city like Mexico City or Playa del Carmen, or would we go somewhere new? Oaxaca would be a top choice, but–as usual–I can’t find any nice Airbnbs in budget. Outside of Oaxaca, I’d probably prefer to return to somewhere from this trip and/or PV.
If not Mexico, Peru, Colombia, and Brazil are open. All have similar COVID requirements IIRC. While I have been to Colombia, I think it’d be a pretty fresh/new experience. I have not been to Peru or Brazil and would very much like to. However, they are both quite a bit further (and likely more expensive) to get to.
If news comes out that Argentina is reopening (and requirements aren’t insane), I think it (including at least Buenos Aires) would be a no-brainer and the top choice. While it does seem like COVID cases are dropping across all of the above countries, Argentina has been ultra conservative in considering reopening.
What’s in my tummy: homemade ricotta
I’d like to think of myself as somewhat adventurous, but, boy, do I enjoy going places I know I like.
Cicatriz (quickly) became one of our Mexico City staples on our first stint this past June. We went for lunch and ended up trying some of their cocktails. This led to us going back for dinner (different menu) and cocktails (same menu) later on in the trip. Lunch, dinner, and drinks were all fantastic.
Because we are staying so close to Cicatriz this stint (intentional), I thought we should give their brunch a shot (since they are a cafe, afterall). The coffee and brunch dishes were phenomenal. I had previously had their ricotta appetizer for dinner, but their ricotta toast (with marmalade) for brunch may have even been better.
I can’t wait to go back for lunch and/or dinner (and drinks of course) over the coming weeks.
What I’m watching: nothing
Our current Airbnb doesn’t have a smart TV, which is a bit of a blessing and a curse.
While we love to watch Netflix with lunch and/or dinner, it has been nice to unplug (a bit). We are listening to music more and just talking instead of turning off and tuning in.
Prior to coming back to Mexico City, the last thing I remember watching was Schumacher. I only watched half and I may have been drinking, so I don’t remember a ton. I’ll plan to finish it maybe during our flight to Playa del Carmen.
Verdict: likely should watch if you’re into F1 or enjoy racing movies like Rush or Ford vs. Ferrari
What I’m reading: Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
I’m currently ¾ of the way through listening to Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. I wasn’t sure if I’d continue my Harry Potter journey past the first three books, but here I am. I’m realizing that the books I wasn’t as keen on originally are more enjoyable this time through. And while I love the Prisoner of Azkaban, it may have been a bit spoiled by such high expectations.
After this, I will be reading and listening to Thursday Murder Club.
Verdict: must re-read/listen for HP fans, duh
Before hopping back on the Harry Potter train, I had planned to listen to String Theory: David Foster Wallace on Tennis, but the library loan didn’t come through in time. With Death on the Nile set to premiere as a movie soonish I thought I’d give this a re-read and first time listen. I loved the book the first read through and knew that the narrator is acclaimed for doing Poirot’s voice/accent (also narrated Poirot Investigates, Book #3).
Verdict: must listen/read for Poirot and/or mystery fans
What’s up this weekend?
This weekend my mom will be visiting us in Mexico City! Can’t recall the last time we traveled together. We’ve been talking about having my mom visit us somewhere for what seems like years, so I am excited to finally have her visit.
While the weather is very much up in the air, I am glad she will be visiting us somewhere I am so comfortable and familiar with. We plan to spend her time here visiting Teotihuacan (the pyramids) and touring around the neighborhoods that piqued her interest (Polanco, Condesa, and Centro).
I expect to eat and walk a lot and to film many of our tours and meals.
Coming soon…
With my mom coming this weekend and friends visiting shortly thereafter, I have been extremely busy writing and editing.
Later today (Wednesday, Sep. 22), Everything You Need to Know: Portugal D7 Visa will be going live here on intristang.com
Next week, I will be doing something similar covering Netherland’s DAFT visa. I plan to write 3-5 articles on different visas available to folks who might want to move to Europe.
On the video front, tonight our trip to Cerveceria Hercules in Queretaro (the best brewery in all of Mexico IMO) will be going live.
My most recent video, a neighborhood tour of Condesa and Roma, can be seen below:
Have a great weekend and see you next week!