OCOLA

So I took the recommendation of the Culinary Backstreets page and walked over to the chicken place near Insurgentes. True to work, it was really a slightly improved metal shed (they had finished walls and a tiled bar in front of the kitchen).

I grabbed a spot at the bar since I'd come alone, and ordered a plate of green salsa chicken enchaladas. It always makes me so happy when I see food being made in front of me, and then when you think, oh man, I hope that's for me, and then it turns out to be what they set down in front of you.

Slightly different than what I was expecting, but I guess I really havn't had the enchaladas in Mexico City before. They start by making their own tortillas. Big points. Then they put cheese in them and heat them and that goes on the bottom. Then a generous layer of slow roasted chicken that's been stewing all day in a pot the size of a small bathtub. Then then chile verde sauce, tons of crema, more cheese, and more salsa verde. Really killer. Hard roll served on the side because you need something to sop up the rest of the crema/salsa verde after the enchaladas are gone.

$42 pesos. Amazing. Ten minutes walk from my office and I have to cross a major street, but definately at least a once a week place. Looks like everyone there was eating the soup anyway, which I still need to try. And the enchaladas mole.

Anyway. Five o clock rolls around so M and I go grab frozen yogurt at the place a few doors down from the office since its 2x1. My tooth is not happy about the cold.

I had a cavity that fell out in Boston at the end of my stay. Before I left, I went to the dentist who told me that it was stable but to get the cavity refilled. I never got around to it in St. Louis because I was really busy but mainly because I've never been to the dentist in St. Louis I have no insurance, and its hard to drop a grand to fix a cavity that isn't really bothering me.

Last week, that tooth decided to go North Korea on me and really started to hurt, so I got a dentist's number from my roommate K, who she uses and likes. Im going to call them tomorrow to set up an appointment. Even though they're probably more expensive, I'm thinking its still going to be much cheaper than the US. But I need to schedule a consultation first for an estimate, see how I feel about the place, etc. Really hope this doesn't become a root canal. I don't know why I'm so stupid about teeth.

Quote of the month: procrastination and indulgence are creditors who charge interest.

Met up with my roommate and her teacher friends for Tacos in a nearby colonia. Also 2 for 1, but for tacos al pastor. Tortillas, marinated pork, pineapple chunks, onions, cilantro, lime juice, mmmm.

K and her friend and I went out to Roma for a drink afterwards. Condesa and Roma late night are really beautiful along the bar streets. It's a fantastic night world I've written about before, with tiny, electic bars spilling onto the sidewalk since all the bars are open air since the weather here is so beautiful all the time, the canopy of trees hidden in darkness, lights strung everywhere.

We stopped into a bar in Roma, Ilicit, I think the name was. There was a fake rhino head on the wall. Chill place. The music wasn't too loud and good people watching opportunities. We each bought a hefty shot of Don Julio tequila blanco, which was smooth and almost slightly sweet. It's a premium tequila, for which we paid 100 pesos. I winced when I heard the price- its only about $7.75, but that's still two lunches and a breakfast for me (remember my plate of enchaladas was 42 pesos).  The good thing is that its sipping tequila, so you can actually nurse it for awhile, and its strong.

We just had one and called it a night. I really wish that I was getting paid double what I'm making now and that Saori were here. There's just so much nightlife and cool restaurants and museums and nearby cities. Unfortunately, I think that maybe my boss, the #3 in the office, is probably only making doubly my salary. Apparently the office in general is pretty cheap. We get good perks, but lousy pay, even for Mexican architecture offices. It's probably because we're a rising star office.

I heard from a friend of mine in NYC, Chuck. He also works really long hours, and he really is not having much fun at the office and aparently he's got a lot of horror stories about his boss despite working there for less than two months, but he's still able to go out to eat at good restaurants (in New York City!!!) and STILL save half his paycheck. I haven't had a month where I've broken even yet.

Mexico's been amazing, but I'm frustrated at times by the thought that I could be in the east coast, starving with miserable weather, but hanging out with a third of my graduating class.

At this point of my life, I need an Opportunity Cost of Living Adjustment. I need to maximize what I've got going here and remember why I came.