Mexico

Hola, Señoritas y Señores!

Just kidding! It’s Nnenna the Navigator here, and I want to tell you all about my beautiful, beautiful 16-day experience in Mexico. Initially, I came for a wedding, but I decided to extend my stay and take my time exploring the country. I had been to Mexico once before for a long weekend in Mexico City, but this was my first time experiencing it at a slower pace. As I’ve gotten older, I’ve embraced what I like to call slow travel — instead of hopping from country to country in a matter of days, I focus on truly immersing myself in different cities within one country. It allows me to connect more deeply with the culture, food, and people. For this trip, I spent about a week in Mexico City and split the remaining 10 days between Puerto Escondido and Oaxaca.

The Colors, the Culture, and the Tacos!

One of my absolute favorite things about Mexico is the vibrant colors everywhere—from the murals to the markets to the streets themselves. And of course, I have to talk about the food because, well, tacos are life! But I have to be honest: at first, I wasn’t blown away by the food. That all changed when I visited a restaurant with no name. (Yes, you read that right.) This spot was an absolute game-changer. The way it works is simple: you make a reservation in person, and when your time comes, you take a seat and let the experience unfold. Dish after dish comes out, and you don’t know what’s coming next until you tell them to stop! Every single bite was a party in my mouth. They even accommodated my dietary restrictions seamlessly. And the best part? It was shockingly affordable for such an incredible culinary journey.

Facing My Fear: Hot Air Balloon Over Teotihuacán

Now, let me tell you about one of the most breathtaking experiences of my trip: a hot air balloon ride over the pyramids of Teotihuacán. If you know me, you know I have a

complicated relationship with heights. I can go up to the top of a building, but when it comes to scaling that building? That’s a different story. My body panics, I get dizzy, and suddenly, I feel like I might just pass out. So, naturally, I was a little nervous about floating in a basket thousands of feet above the ground. But to my surprise, it was incredible. The ride was smooth, the views of the ancient pyramids were absolutely stunning, and thankfully, no one on board was trying to be cute by shaking the basket! I was able to just be in the moment and take it all in. 10/10 experience—would

absolutely do it again.

A Wedding & A Birthday Surprise

Of course, the reason I originally came to Mexico was for a wedding, and whew, did I turn up with the crew! There’s something so special about celebrating love with friends and family. And funny enough, the wedding happened to fall on my birthday. I had planned to keep it low-key,but my friend had other plans! As she and her husband were giving their speeches, she threw in a birthday shoutout for me, and suddenly, all eyes were on me. Now, if you know me, you know I don’t love being in the spotlight like that. But in that moment, I just felt so much love from everyone around me. It was one of those beautiful reminders that while solo travel is an incredible way to see the world at my own pace, sharing moments with others—old friends and new—is just as important.

Final Thoughts

This trip reaffirmed so many things for me: my love for slow travel, my appreciation for good food, and the importance of human connection. Whether I was wandering the streets of Mexico City alone, floating over pyramids, or dancing at a wedding, I felt so present and full of joy. So, that’s it for now, my fellow adventurers! I’ll be sharing more stories, tips, and experiences from my travels soon. Until then, keep exploring, keep connecting, and keep chasing the magic.

With love and adventure,

Nnenna the Navigator