Moments

Dear travel diary,

even though pictures and reports often suggest a package holiday, things don't always go smoothly. In hostel circles, guests often exchange information about travel opportunities. Tips and topics such as the strange visa issuance - sometimes seven days or, in my case, six months - were meant to break the ice. Usually, the conversation then turned to the unpleasant sides of traveling: food poisonings, tourist traps, or even assaults. Most of these reports tended to be exaggerated. In the past few weeks, I have been spared from all of this.

That was about to change last Thursday. In the evening, I liked to stroll through the streets one more time, on this day through the well-described, safe, and genteel amusement and nightlife district of Mexico City.

Suddenly, a police car stopped and two security guards got out to interrogate me about my information and how long I was traveling. I was nervous because there were unflattering stories about the Mexican police. What followed was the request for a drug search. The policemen inspected my bags, they were particularly interested in my wallet. They exchanged words in Spanish.

In the end, what I had feared came true. Referring to the mask requirement, the officer informed me that he had to take me into custody for 24 hours for contempt. Something similar had happened to other hostel guests, resulting in a considerable amount of money being extorted from them.

In my situation, I was perplexed at first, then I muttered out loud: 'Bullshit', turned around, and kept walking. When they called after me: 'Sir?!', I explained, as I moved further away, that I don't understand the language. Unbelievable, the police!! As the car followed me, I waited at a restaurant in the midst of the guests and ordered a taxi.

Well, dear diary, I don't want to conceal the dark sides of traveling, but I also don't want to exaggerate or downplay them.

Despite this unpleasant encounter, the positive aspects clearly outweighed in the past few days. On Friday, I met Andy again, with whom I had traveled together over New Year's. On Saturday, there was a reunion with Oscar, whom I also knew from Puerto Vallarta, in a trendy club. Even though the party was not to my taste at all: mostly temporary American expatriates, incredibly overpriced drinks, and the beer was sold out. We were forced to stick to tequila and mezcal. The semi-dark sides of traveling.

Afterwards, we moved to another bar with the colorful crew. The innkeeper presented an electric shocker as a supposedly fun party game. Everyone held hands and the tension was increased. A tingling sensation coursed through our bodies. Cramping and the alcohol-induced, pubescent joy of outdoing each other provided entertainment. I was one of the last ones to hold on.

I hope these two travel anecdotes help to paint a multi-faceted picture of my encounters with Mexico.

See you soon, with many holiday greetings,

A.