Filming in Obregon

Obregon makes me love Texcoco. I know I am already Texcoco's one and only international fan, but Obregon would make any sane person pine for the city.

First: Obregon is JUST LIKE FLORIDA and that is not a complement. Its four lane streets are lined by one story strip mall-like buildings, most of them cheesy bars or fast food joints, and the car of choice is a large, expensive truck.

Second: Food. Yes, I have eaten sushi for the three days in a row, which is great, but there are no tacos al pastor stands or cheap restaurant on every block. I have formed a somewhat unhealthy addiction to this delicious, insalubrious food and am actually quite worried about my fate once I leave Mexico and cannot get my fix. I went for my old standby last night at, as far as I can tell, the only place in the city that serves the tacos indigenous to D.F. and the surrounding area. They were tasty but cost 3 times as much as they should.

Third: It is hot. Too hot. Why people build cities in the middle of the desert I will never know.

Fourth: It is eternally daylight outside of my hotel window, which is located in the prime spot of what can best be described as tangential to a carport that is very well lit. At all hours.

So there are some good parts too.

First: I am getting paid to run around with an eclectic group of scientists and film their classes and lectures and field visits.Second: One of my good friends is here and we have had good fun, meaning we sit around and discuss philosophy, ethics, life, etc.. In a group of four we shall venture to the mountains this weekend. It should be noted, however, that when I asked Matthew about cartels in the area and if the city had seen better days he responded with, "well a cop car was blown up with a bazooka the other day but things are pretty quiet here because all of the narcos are in the mountains, actually where we are going this weekend, baby." I think/hope he is kidding.

Third: I am seeing a new part of Mexico, no matter how crappy Obregon may be. And I am viewing it from the back of pickup trucks (which I think is illegal in the States) and leads the scientists to believe I am insane. I guess I am not old enough to turn down the dusty and hot and uncomfortable bed of the truck for the cushy front seat (which was literally the case. No one even sat in the front because they did not think I was serious about jumping in the back).

Should I include learning? I am unsure for I have heard many of these lectures before but maybe not. Bram had an interesting anecdote about how all of the D.F. surrounding states have sold their water to the city and so no irrigating is allowed in the area unless it is done with black water aka sewage. Yummy.