Mexico City: Lost My Drumsticks (and Maybe My Mind)
okay, so mexico city. it’s…a lot. i’m liam, by the way, touring drummer. currently between gigs, mostly just trying to find a decent taco and not lose all my gear. i landed with a vague plan - find a venue, maybe jam with some locals, definitely eat everything.
first off, the humidity. it’s like walking into a warm, wet hug that doesn’t want to let go. the weather report said seventeen point six six degrees, feels like seventeen point oh two, which honestly doesn’t even begin to cover it. it’s the kind of air that makes your cymbals stick together. pressure’s at one oh one nine, which i guess is good? i don’t know, i’m a drummer, not a meteorologist. i just know my kit feels heavier than usual.
spent yesterday wandering around *condesa, trying to get my bearings. it’s pretty, all leafy and art deco, but also…intense. everyone’s moving at a million miles an hour. i swear, i almost got run over by a guy on a scooter while admiring a mural. speaking of which, the street art here is insane. seriously, some of the best i’ve seen. i’m thinking of doing a whole series of sketches inspired by it.
someone told me that the best churros aren’t actually in the tourist areas. you gotta find the little hole-in-the-wall places, the ones where the abuela is making them fresh. apparently, that’s where the magic happens.
my airbnb is…interesting. the walls are thin, and my neighbor seems to be practicing the tuba at all hours. it’s not bad, just…enthusiastic. if you get restless, puebla and toluca are easily reachable for a day trip. i overheard someone at a cafe complaining about the traffic on the periférico, saying it’s a “concrete river of despair.” dramatic, but probably accurate.
gear situation is…precarious. i somehow managed to leave my favorite pair of drumsticks at a bar in roma norte last night. i’m pretty sure i was showing off my “impressive” salsa dancing skills (they’re not impressive) when it happened. i’ve checked lost and founds, no luck. i’m starting to suspect a rogue mariachi band is responsible.
*Pro-tip: learn a few basic spanish phrases. “donde esta el baño?” and “otra cerveza, por favor” will get you surprisingly far.
*Essential gear: earplugs (seriously, the city is LOUD), a portable charger (you’ll be using your phone a lot for maps and translation), and a good pair of walking shoes (you’ll be doing a lot of walking).
*Don’t forget: sunscreen! even on cloudy days, the sun is strong.
I heard that the mercado de la ciudadela is a great place to find souvenirs, but be prepared to haggle. someone else warned me about pickpockets in the metro*, so keep your valuables close. i’ve been relying on the ecobici system for getting around, which is pretty cool, but you have to be brave. the traffic is…assertive.
found a little jazz club near my place last night. the music was amazing, the tequila was strong, and i almost didn’t lose my passport. progress, i guess. i’m checking out TripAdvisor for some hidden gems today. also, this Yelp page has some good taco recommendations. and if you're looking for local events, this Time Out Mexico City site is pretty useful. i’m starting to think i might actually like it here, even without my drumsticks. maybe i’ll just learn to play the tuba.
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