The Mija Chronicles

Mexican food and culture, on both sides of the border

On a clear day, it’s a whole other city

by

The view today outside my office window, looking west

Mexico City lies in a basin, surrounded by mountains. Usually you can’t see them because they’re wrapped in smog, but every now and then, cool breezes sweep through and unmask everything.

It’s rare for this to happen without rain. (Think the equivalent of warm spring days in Boston, or a humidity-free summer day in New York.) For the past two days, though, Crayton and I have woken up to find the mountains peeking out over the rooftops, like these ghostly creatures that have suddenly developed an interest in studying our chaos and traffic.

It’s almost spooky. Where did these aliens come from?

Their other-worldliness makes me think of a line I read in The Conquest of Mexico, about how seemingly normal events used to freak out the Mexica. A rabbit running into a house wasn’t just a rabbit running into a house — it meant something, it was a sign, it had to be studied.

I hope the mountains’ arriving amid an otherwise hot, dusty and sweaty June means it’s going to rain soon. So far we’ve only gotten sprinkles. It’s almost July. Rainy season, where are you?

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  3. Those of us sweltering in Phoenix are also anticipating the monsoon rains that sweep up from the south, if it rains on you it won’t be long before it rains on us; come on rain!

    • Hi AZ: I’ll be sending rain vibes to you Phoenicians. It rained here yesterday for a short while, but nothing heavy. The clouds look ominous today. So far nothing.

  4. Delightful is the word! Seeing your photo made me think of the numerous times I’ve visited El DF, staying in hotels and B&Bs and I never had a view of the city and the mountains. How nice your view!