Tequila, hmm, it's Like Beer

No, no it’s not. And if any Mexican ever tells you that it is, he is trying to take advantage of you. But again, let’s start at the beginning, shall we?

“Level.” As a few of you may know, Absolut Vodka has put out a new type of vodka called “Level.” Morgane, la Francesa, works for a marketing and advertising company who just happen to represent Absolut. Thus, they suggested to Absolut that they throw the most plush and high-class event that they could.

So, they rented a huge mansion in the middle of Parque Chapultepec over looking a lake. They lit the whole white building in smooth blue lights. It could be seen, glowing, from anywhere in the park. The invitation defined the dress code as “Formal Riguroso,” which for those of you who don’t speak Spanish means Formal Rigorous. I didn’t think they were serious. But they were. Everyone was dressed to the nines. The bartenders, waiters, staff, and the fifteen piece band were dressed in tuxedos.

I had heard there would be free food and drink, so I fasted all day in anticipation. I think this is appropriate to say here, I have now experienced high society Mexico. And I like it. I don’t know if I can go back to my ghetto life-style. I also found where all of the younger versions of Selma Hyack have been hanging out, with rich men.

Of course, nothing was served except for Absolut Level. Needless to say, a fiesta that began at 8pm and lasted until 3am in which only liquor was served was…bumping.

José Clemente Orozco. Is the man. After a night on the high-class side of town, my mind and my soul needed some stimulation and culture. So, Leonardo and I went to the Museo Moderno. To Mexicans, Moderno does not mean Modern Art, it simply means 20th century art. Leonardo and I philosophized about life, God, art, the origin of its influence, along with a very analytical critique of our housemates. We saw some of the most amazing art, all Mexican and Latin American, that I have ever seen. A lot of it was a crash course through AP Art History from high school. Two artists that stuck out were José Clemente Orozco and José David Alfaro Siqueíros.

SEC Championship. After my culture, I was ready to watch the much awaited football game between Georgia and LSU. As all of you know, LSU was ranked 3rd and UGA was 13th. The winner of this competition got an automatic berth to the Nokia Sugar Bowl. This is on-the-edge of your seat entertainment people. I was unable to convince any of my European roommates or Mexican friends to spend three hours watching college football, so I went stag. “Yuppies Sports Bar,” I am not kidding that is really the name, is the only place in town that plays college football. And it is a sports fan heaven in Mexico. I ate my tacos, drank my beer, and watched USC trounce UCLA as I waited for the game to begin. Two New Orleans-ers rolled in just in time for the first touchdown. They were about 50 and staunch LSU fans. Excellent. We talked, argued, and enjoyed the game. There was no sound because the rest of the TVs in the bar were playing the Monterrey soccer game. It took the Monterrey fans a few touchdowns to figure out that I was not cheering at inopportune moments in the soccer match, but rather I was watching college football on a small TV with no sound. They were accepting. And we won. Go dawgs!

Hookah Lounge. If you want to see the hip and trendy side of Mexico, go here. Selma Hyacks were running around everywhere. The gorgeous waitresses happily bring trays and trays of tequila shots. In Mexico, all the tequila comes with two sangritas which are two other shot glasses, one filled with sour lime juice and the other with bloody marry mix. The ritual for taking tequila shots is not what you think it is. In the States you sprinkle a little bit of salt on your hand, lick the salt, take the shot, and then squeeze a lime in your mouth. Here, they look at you disgusted as if you just passed some terrible McDonald’s type gas. I learned their method quickly and after a few rounds, I was the king of the ritual. It’s good to be the king. The DJ spins and dances, Spanish makes more sense, and you have an urge to dance.

Tonight Leonardo prepared a delicious Italian lasagna for our weekly house dinner. It was the best Italian food I have had here, obviously. The Mexicans don’t really how to do anything without tacos.

Work. Oy. I have to be at work at 7:30am from now on. Super sweet. Should be a long week.

So that’s a wrap. I can’t believe it is already December, in part because it feels like spring. You are all very missed and I look forward to catching up when I am back in the States. One love.