Exactly 32 years ago today (Sept. 19, 1985), Mexico was hit by a huge, destructive earthquake. Today, in a long series of global natural disasters, another big earthquake has reverberated through the city. Lives have been lost, buildings destroyed, and the dust has not yet settled.
Mexico is a sprawling metropolis with something for everyone. It’s the best place to get lost or to find yourself. It has spectacular architecture, unparalleled cuisine, and the richest of histories, but the best thing about Mexico City is her people. They are cultured, welcoming, energetic, and warm.
The time I lived in Mexico City was the best of my life, and I formed relationships that have endured two decades of separation. When I think about the city, the first thing that comes to mind is not her delicious tacos, the mezcal, the uniqueness of the music, the architecture or art, or the wild dance clubs. It’s my family and family of friends. They are incomparable and irreplaceable. They are indomitable.
I am grateful now more than ever for social media, and for those I love “marked as safe.” I pray tonight for the people of Mexico and for those facing unprecedented weather systems in the Caribbean, and I ask for peace for those who have faced losses in the devastation.
If a picture is worth a thousand words, I could go on forever, but here I share only a few of the photos. They express the beauty of Ciudad de México, though they fall very short in capturing the nuances and rich complexity of one of the most fascinating cities on earth. Most of my stories of Mexico City are beautiful, happy, joyful ones, best saved for another occasion. Tonight, I send love.
These are some of my favorite people on the planet and in Mexico:
