Nov 5 - 6 Birthday abroad & altitude sickness

November 6

Another reason why travel is not all glam: Altitude sickness. It's 5:38 am, morning after my birthday, and I've still not slept. 34 hours of nausea from the altitude change from my move from one week in lower-level Oaxaca to Mexico City has about done me in.
My birthday was nice but... I was certainly ill. (It's the price one pays!) At least I held the brownie and coconut ice cream down!

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There are 90,000 police officers in Mexico City. That's a ratio of police:citizens of about 1:100 within the city boundaries, one of the highest ratios in the world.
The police presence was impressively strengthened about two years ago, and crime has dramatically fallen since.


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November 5

*sigh*
first birthday out of the country and away from friends.
i love you, people.
(and i'm with my dear friend Pablo in Mexico, so i'm not completely alone!)
I spent most of my birthday with intense altitude sickness. I stayed indoors as much as possible other than lunch with friends, and had some pretty lame sushi for dinner. Overall, the day sucked, but my friends sure rocked.
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You guys overwhelmed me with posts on facebook. I'm not sure how many - maybe 75? Needless to say, I certainly did not feel forgotten. Thank you thank you thank you. I love you.
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I took a shot of homemade Mezcal for a friend yesterday... in a party... in a cemetary. One of the best
parties I've been to in my life. More later. (Dia de los Muertos)

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A birthday wish:  "I wish you loads of ice cream!  - Sten
P.S. By ice cream I mean something sweet and enjoyable that takes your attention and makes you feel useful and at the same time relaxed and happy."
Oh, Sten, you are wonderful.

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Quote:
"Geography has little to do with the difference you make. What matters is that you are making the best use of your life by loving the people in it. This is the difference that endures."
Absolutely true to my life experience.

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If a story of someone's life is written, then it is also co-written by the lives of the friends it intersects. I'm delighted to be a part of your story and I'm delighted that you are a part of mine. And I'm delighted that our stories continue.
(adapted from dear friend Jordan's words left in my journal)

Thank you for your love and wonderful birthday wishes. It is indeed overwhelming.
Love from Mexico City -