Photo info: Apple iPhone 15 Pro, 6.7649998656528mm, f/1.8, 1/120 sec, ISO64 “Sopa Azteca” Mexico City, 2025
It was back to work for me today, and I have to say, I’m really enjoying this whole workcation idea! Mexico City is only one hour ahead of US Central time, so it’s super easy to stay in sync with my coworkers. It’s been a great way to dip my toes into the digital nomad lifestyle.
For lunch, we kept it simple with eggs, soup, and coffee. Later in the evening, we walked over to a Japanese restaurant for sushi and yakitori, which turned out to be pretty tasty. After dinner, we did a little shopping at the market and then headed back to our Airbnb to watch the Independence Day festivities on TV. We decided to skip the crowds at the Zócalo for el Grito, but it was still fun to watch all the excitement from the comfort of the couch!
Photo info: Apple iPhone 15 Pro, 6.7649998656528mm, f/1.8, 1/120 sec, ISO160 “Café de Olla” Mexico City, 2025Photo info: Apple iPhone 15 Pro, 6.7649998656528mm, f/1.8, 1/60 sec, ISO200 “Sushi Time” Mexico City, 2025Photo info: Apple iPhone 15 Pro, 6.7649998656528mm, f/1.8, 1/60 sec, ISO250 “Yakitori” Mexico City, 2025
Photo info: Apple iPhone 15 Pro, 6.7649998656528mm, f/1.8, 1/160 sec, ISO64 “Molcajete” Mexico City, 2025
Today kicked off with a visit to Mercado Sonora. I had heard it was big, bustling, and perfect for finding inexpensive dishes, and it did not disappoint. We were also hunting for a molcajete to bring home, and ended up scoring a fun pig-shaped one!
After our shopping spree, we had lunch at El Puerto de Don Roque. Shrimp is their specialty, so of course we ordered a couple of plates. The food was fantastic, and since the place was packed with locals, we knew we made the right choice.
We lugged home our heavy haul of plates, bowls, and the pig molcajete, then took a quick rest before our next adventure: a Lucha Libre experience. The evening started in an apartment near the arena, where our host gave us a crash course on the history of Mexican wrestling, the rules, and the etiquette. We even learned a few colorful phrases to shout at the wrestlers, which is actually encouraged! A young wrestler stopped by to answer our questions about his career, and all the while we enjoyed beer, mezcal, and vegetarian tacos.
Then it was time for the main event at Arena México. There were six matches in total, including one with women wrestlers. Each fight was full of energy, drama, and fun. We had such a blast, especially once we got the hang of yelling our new swear phrases at the villains. What a night!
Photo info: Apple iPhone 15 Pro, 6.7649998656528mm, f/1.8, 1/250 sec, ISO64 “Camarones” Mexico City, 2025Photo info: Apple iPhone 15 Pro, 6.7649998656528mm, f/1.8, 1/60 sec, ISO500 “Pre-Match Education” Mexico City, 2025Photo info: Apple iPhone 15 Pro, 6.7649998656528mm, f/1.8, 1/60 sec, ISO400 “Red Fire Dragon” Mexico City, 2025Photo info: Apple iPhone 15 Pro, 6.7649998656528mm, f/1.8, 1/120 sec, ISO125 “Masks Outside the Arena” Mexico City, 2025Photo info: Apple iPhone 15 Pro, 9mm, f/2.8, 1/40 sec, ISO1000 “Lucha Libre” Mexico City, 2025
Photo info: FUJIFILM X-E4, 27mm, f/2.8, 1/500 sec, ISO640 “Peppers for Salsas” Mexico City, 2025
Today was easily one of the highlights of our Mexico City trip. We joined a cooking class called Mastering Mexican Salsas, and it was amazing. Our instructor, Pame, was a fountain of knowledge. She didn’t just show us how to make salsa, she also taught us about the peppers, what makes each one special, and how they connect to Mexican culture and history. It was fascinating, fun, and just the right amount of overwhelming. I kept wishing I could record everything so I could play it back later.
We started off with refreshing agua frescas before heading to the tortilleria to watch how corn tortillas are made. I learned that tortilla prices are regulated by the government to help keep them affordable. From there, we explored Mercado Medellin where Pame gave us a crash course on the fresh produce. We even sampled dried bugs, and to my surprise they were delicious. Crunchy, salty, and definitely a first for me. Would be perfect with beer, tequila, or mezcal.
Back in the cooking studio, it was time to roll up our sleeves and make salsas. We charred peppers on the comal, ground ingredients in the molcajete, blended, chopped, and even squeezed in a little dancing while we cooked. By the end we had created ten different kinds of salsas, which blew my mind. Of course, the best part was tasting them all with tacos until I was absolutely stuffed. Mezcal, beer, and Mexican sweets rounded out the feast perfectly.
This experience is one I’ll carry with me forever. Cooking classes like this make traveling even more special. If you’re ever in Mexico City, I definitely recommend the Mastering Mexican Salsas class at Aura Cocina Mexicana in Roma Norte.
Photo info: Apple iPhone 15 Pro, 6.7649998656528mm, f/1.8, 1/120 sec, ISO50 “Kitchen” Mexico City, 2025Photo info: Apple iPhone 15 Pro, 2.2200000286119mm, f/2.2, 1/100 sec, ISO50 “Agua Fresca” Mexico City, 2025Photo info: Apple iPhone 14 Pro, 6.86mm, f/1.8, 1/120 sec, ISO64 “Tortilla Factory” Mexico City, 2025Photo info: Apple iPhone 14 Pro, 6.86mm, f/1.8, 1/60 sec, ISO160 “Peppers” Mexico City, 2025Photo info: Apple iPhone 14 Pro, 6.86mm, f/1.8, 1/250 sec, ISO80 “Molcajete Time” Mexico City, 2025Photo info: Apple iPhone 15 Pro, 6.7649998656528mm, f/1.8, 1/800 sec, ISO80 “Pepper” Mexico City, 2025Photo info: Apple iPhone 15 Pro, 6.7649998656528mm, f/1.8, 1/120 sec, ISO80 “Salsas” Mexico City, 2025Photo info: FUJIFILM X-E4, 27mm, f/5.6, 1/100 sec, ISO1250 “Salsas” Mexico City, 2025Photo info: Apple iPhone 15 Pro, 2.2200000286119mm, f/2.2, 1/100 sec, ISO80 “Taco with Salsa” Mexico City, 2025Photo info: Apple iPhone 15 Pro, 2.2200000286119mm, f/2.2, 1/100 sec, ISO160 “Mezcal” Mexico City, 2025Photo info: Apple iPhone 14 Pro, 6.86mm, f/1.8, 1/120 sec, ISO100 “Students and Salsas” Mexico City, 2025
Photo info: Apple iPhone 15 Pro, 6.7649998656528mm, f/1.8, 1/120 sec, ISO64 “Casa Estudio Luis Barragán” Mexico City, 2025
Today we took a guided tour of Casa Estudio Luis Barragán, and it was such a treat. Barragán is Mexico’s most famous architect, and stepping into his studio felt like walking into a work of art. Our guide was an architect too, and he had actually known Barragán personally, so his stories gave the whole visit an extra dimension. Everywhere you looked, the colors and shapes had purpose and meaning. I never realized how much thought goes into designing a space like this, and it was absolutely fascinating.
I’m really starting to love guided experiences while traveling. Whether it’s a studio tour or a cooking class, the insights you gain are priceless and add so much depth to the journey.
Photo info: Apple iPhone 15 Pro, 6.7649998656528mm, f/1.8, 1/60 sec, ISO200 “Casa Estudio Luis Barragán” Mexico City, 2025Photo info: Apple iPhone 15 Pro, 6.7649998656528mm, f/1.8, 1/140 sec, ISO50 “Casa Estudio Luis Barragán” Mexico City, 2025Photo info: Apple iPhone 15 Pro, 6.7649998656528mm, f/1.8, 1/8000 sec, ISO80 “Casa Estudio Luis Barragán” Mexico City, 2025Photo info: Apple iPhone 15 Pro, 6.7649998656528mm, f/1.8, 1/850 sec, ISO80 “Casa Estudio Luis Barragán” Mexico City, 2025Photo info: Apple iPhone 15 Pro, 6.7649998656528mm, f/1.8, 1/120 sec, ISO64 “Casa Estudio Luis Barragán” Mexico City, 2025
Photo info: Apple iPhone 15 Pro, 6.7649998656528mm, f/1.8, 1/30 sec, ISO500 “Taco” Mexico City, 2025
Mariko and I had such a blast today at a Mexican Cooking Class. We kicked things off with a trip to the local market, where our instructor showed us how to pick out the best tomatillos, limes, peppers, and all the other fresh ingredients. I loved learning those little tips that make shopping so much easier.
Back in the kitchen, the real fun began. We got our hands messy making corn tortillas from scratch, learned how to use a molcajete the proper way, and whipped up a delicious spread of guacamole, salsa, milpas soup, and chicken enchiladas. Everything tasted amazing, and by the end we were completely stuffed.
To top it off, we even got to sip some craft mezcal. It was the perfect finishing touch to an already awesome class. I’d definitely do it again! The instructor said that a second class would have more advanced techniques and of course different dishes.
Photo info: Apple iPhone 15 Pro, 2.2200000286119mm, f/2.2, 1/40 sec, ISO1250 “Sopa Milpas” Mexico City, 2025Photo info: Apple iPhone 15 Pro, 6.7649998656528mm, f/1.8, 1/40 sec, ISO800 “Chicken Enchiladas” Mexico City, 2025Photo info: Apple iPhone 15 Pro, 6.7649998656528mm, f/1.8, 1/30 sec, ISO800 “Cooking Class” Mexico City, 2025
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