I began my trip to Mexico in Tepoztlán in a concrete treehouse overlooking the property's pool. I was welcomed there by the owner, her dog, and sibling-parrots in Spanish, foreshadowing the language I would be verbally and cognitively stumbling through for the next two-weeks. I wandered the small town mostly on foot and was able to observe its carnival – dancing, drinking, costumes, celebration. After, I was driven to Mexico City where I stayed in Santa María la Ribera and spent the next ten days museum and gallery hopping, trying restaurants, and meeting new friends.