The New Diplomat's Wife: Notes from the Field: Viva Mexico (DF)

Mariachis in Garibaldi Square

So excited to share with you the latest installment of Notes from the Field, brought to you by one of my favorite bloggers, This Gringo Honeymoon. Some of you might remember her as the blogger behind Todo de Lujo, but she did a little updating after her move to Mexico City last year. Always a go-to for the fashionable and stylish - including around the basics of what to wear work, how to accessorize for work, and what to wear during the holidays, she's the first person I turn to when I say "but I have nothing to wear!". Oh yeah, and she arranges flowers.

And for those of you living or visiting Mexico City, she should be the first person you turn to if you're thinking "but I have nothing to do" (or nothing to wear when I do it!).

I've split up her interview and pics into two separate posts so check back tomorrow for Part II.

And for those looking for a little guidance on where to get the goods when it comes to Mexico, check out her handy-dandy shopping guide for San Miguel - report back with your finds!

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Diplo-mat or Diplo-spouse? Diplo-spouse

Current Post: Mexico City, Mexico

Three words to describe your current post:Big, loud and incredibly close

Best thing about your current post:The food! I think I could live here forever and not get sick of tacos. It makes me happy that Mexico City is starting to get its due as a foodie destination. Also the weather. People are always surprised to learn that Mexico City is not nearly as hot as DC. We are at over 7,000 feet above sea level and so it doesn’t get terribly hot and when it starts to the rainy season clears the air and cools things off. And the beaches don’t hurt – we are a hop skip and a jump away from some of the most beautiful beaches in the world.

You have visitors in town for the weekend at current post, what does the weekend look like?If they haven’t been to Mexico City before we definitely spend a day at the pre-Aztec pyramids of Teotihuacan. They are a short drive outside the city and I am so impressed every time I see them, plus the climb to the top is a great workout. We take in a Ballet Folklorico performance or a Lucha Libre one evening, depending on the schedule. If it’s really just a weekend trip our guests usually have to choose between a trip to Frida’s house in Coyoacan or a lazy day on the water in Xochimilco listening to mariachis. And there is so much more – museums, ruins, murals, art, food – one weekend is not enough!

If you’re in current post, you must try:Escamole (ant larvae), chapulines (grasshoppers) and gusanos de maguey (caterpillars from the maguey plant). Why not?! Although, I must admit I don’t always practice what I preach. I think the one thing everyone should definitely try is mezcal. While it is becoming more popular elsewhere, you will never find the variety and quality that we have here.

Most difficult about living in current post:Honestly? It is a really easy post. Traffic is the stuff of legends, but I don’t drive so I’ve escaped that curse. The pollution is real, but for better or worse you get used to it. I think that some people get frustrated by the realities of living in a megacity – there are people everywhere and the noise is unending. There are times when you love it and times when you could use a little break.

Biggest adventure at post?I think my husband would say driving to work every morning. But for me, it was one of our first day trips out of town. We went to a butterfly sanctuary to see the Monarch butterflies in migration. We rode horses up a mountain and were surrounded by millions of Monarchs clinging to every surface. It was the type of thing you see on National Geographic and we had the opportunity to see it up close.

When did you realize you were far from home?This past Sunday.

What’s the most important thing about re-creating your home at post?We chose to bring our own furniture rather than keep the government provided furniture. We also painted and hung our favorite things on the walls. A very wise woman (wink wink) advised me to bring lots of family pictures and it has made a big difference. Even though our apartment pretty much looks like everyone else’s, it feels like our home. More importantly, we’ve kept our same routines. We have coffee in the mornings. We walk the dogs together when we can. We go on a dinner date the night before either one of us travels. It feels like home.

Come back tomorrow for Part II of Interview and pics!