This essay has legitimately made me smile every time I’ve read and reread it. I’m excited you decided to explore it and that you leaned into it. You did a beautiful job capturing the surrealness—the magic and absurdity of it all is one of my favorite cultural aspects.
Really wishing there was video of the electric shocks moment. I want cantaritos and the toques guy experience followed by more cantaritos ASAP.
Makes me really happy that that is what makes you feel. Can't thank you enough for your help and comments, you gave it another layer and colors. Glad you also enjoy the magic and absurdity, it's in your blood!
Hahaha and you'll be the one on the video when you come and have electrified cantaritos with me :)
💙 Also hahahaha 😂 I look forward to that day! “Electrified Cantaritos” is a short film waiting to be made. You gotta hurry up and make your first one so we can make one together.
I feel utterly transported into the magic. This sentence "The highest concentration of magic per square meter of reality." should be licensed by you to the bureau of tourism. I'm on the verge of booking a flight to come see this for myself!
Ok! I don't think I told you that I've finally decided to learn a language other than English in my later years, and have chosen Spanish. My son is learning it in school and I've decided to try to learn with him. We'll have to come for a Spanish immersion trip once we've learned how to say, "Can you tell me where the bathroom is?"
Qué gran noticia!! I'm very pleased you chose Spanish, and will love to practice with you any time, both online and especially in real life with you and your son, among tacos and mezcal ;)
Oh my, Oscar!! What a beautifully magical piece! I’m in love with Mexico City and want to visit it and you and your wife.
Your lovely essay reminded me of the stories I love the most: the ones where there are two interweaving, co-existing worlds: the “real world” plus the “imaginary, magical world.” This is a key element in Studio Ghibli movies such as Spirited Away and My Neighbor Totoro.
You have so many exquisite phrases that remind us that there is more to what we can see, hear, touch, and taste: There is another world…if we’re willing to be open to experiencing it…And, when we do, life is richer and we begin to view life with the curious wonder of children who feel the joy that life has to offer.
Through this well-crafted, gorgeous essay, I got a glimpse of what your future videos will be like. I can’t wait to see how you capture life with a video camera.
Wow Jenny, I'm flattered by such kind words. Very pleased you liked it and that it resonated.
Great addition bringing Studio Ghibli's movies to the mix. They're indeed magically surreal and fit perfectly with this kind of thinking and worldview. I recently watched Princess Mononoke and just blows my mind how they accomplish such magical, nuanced worlds.
Because you're so right! Loved this you said: "And, when we do, life is richer and we begin to view life with the curious wonder of children who feel the joy that life has to offer." Very easy to forget, and when we don't, a whole new world opens. Well said.
And we would love to have you here, hope you do visit us someday!
My dear friend, you have renewed my interest in cultivating the magical, childlike parts of my mind. I will start watch Princess Mononoke and more Studio Ghibli movies. They certainly have a differently untapped quality in other films and animated productions.
I loveeeeeed seeing you during the writing session on Friday!!!! Yes, it will be wonderful to meet you in person someday. It will be a wonderful day. :) :) :)
I'm so happy to read that Jenny, and will love to see what you get out of that renewed and important interest, also from that deeper dive into Studio Ghibli, I'll love to hear your new insights!
Likewise, it was great seeing you on Friday!! And very much looking forward to that day when we meet in person! It will indeed be wonderful :))
"The highest concentration of magic per square meter of reality." I loved this line, and this piece! I will definitely be visiting in the near future ;). Thanks for capturing the surrealism, the magic so well. Through your words, it felt like I was there with you in part.
I love this piece so much Oscar. It's so amazing to see Mexico City through your eyes and you do a great job with what feels like a hard tasks, capturing the surrealism of a city. It does feel that way, and reading this piece makes me want to visit again and pay more attention to all the conflicting but coexisting details. Amazing essay!
I'll be waiting for you and will happily show you around to see under which surreal circumstances we find ourselves into ;) Thank you so much Michelle, your kind words mean a lot!
Lovely tribute to a fascinating city. I'm shocked, shocked I tell you, that I've avoided the toques so far. Next time: modelos, mezcal, and car batteries! ;)
What a fantastic piece of writing, Oscar. You had me glued to the screen from start to finish, with a beautiful rhythm and colorful prose. And peace. I told you this already: your pieces give me peace and clarity of thought. “The highest concentration of magic per square meter of reality” -- this is so magical itself. Thank you for sharing this!
I'm very glad clarity and peace are the feelings you get Silvio, really appreciate you saying that and highlighting that line. Thank you so much for your always encouraging and kind words!
Wow, Oscar! This piece is fantastic. As I read it, I could hear you saying the words, which made me smile. I felt as if I watching a movie, and I could sense the magic leaping off the page.
This essay has legitimately made me smile every time I’ve read and reread it. I’m excited you decided to explore it and that you leaned into it. You did a beautiful job capturing the surrealness—the magic and absurdity of it all is one of my favorite cultural aspects.
Really wishing there was video of the electric shocks moment. I want cantaritos and the toques guy experience followed by more cantaritos ASAP.
Makes me really happy that that is what makes you feel. Can't thank you enough for your help and comments, you gave it another layer and colors. Glad you also enjoy the magic and absurdity, it's in your blood!
Hahaha and you'll be the one on the video when you come and have electrified cantaritos with me :)
💙 Also hahahaha 😂 I look forward to that day! “Electrified Cantaritos” is a short film waiting to be made. You gotta hurry up and make your first one so we can make one together.
You're right, definitely saving that one for a title 😂 And I'll be waiting! You'll be the lead actress
Oscar, I know I’m late to the party but I came across this piece through Sandra and absolutely loved it.
The way you capture the vibrancy and surrealism and lived experience of Mexico City is just so good.
Really enjoyed this :) thank you for sharing
Such a heartwarming comment Tommy, thank you! Very grateful you took the time to read it and comment.
If you're ever in Mexico City don't hesitate to tell me and I'll happily give you a surreal tour!
I feel utterly transported into the magic. This sentence "The highest concentration of magic per square meter of reality." should be licensed by you to the bureau of tourism. I'm on the verge of booking a flight to come see this for myself!
🤣🤣 That licensing would be amazing. Thank you so much for your kinds words Rick. And please DO book a flight and come, I promise you a great tour!
Ok! I don't think I told you that I've finally decided to learn a language other than English in my later years, and have chosen Spanish. My son is learning it in school and I've decided to try to learn with him. We'll have to come for a Spanish immersion trip once we've learned how to say, "Can you tell me where the bathroom is?"
Qué gran noticia!! I'm very pleased you chose Spanish, and will love to practice with you any time, both online and especially in real life with you and your son, among tacos and mezcal ;)
Yay! Gonna take you up on that.
Oh my, Oscar!! What a beautifully magical piece! I’m in love with Mexico City and want to visit it and you and your wife.
Your lovely essay reminded me of the stories I love the most: the ones where there are two interweaving, co-existing worlds: the “real world” plus the “imaginary, magical world.” This is a key element in Studio Ghibli movies such as Spirited Away and My Neighbor Totoro.
You have so many exquisite phrases that remind us that there is more to what we can see, hear, touch, and taste: There is another world…if we’re willing to be open to experiencing it…And, when we do, life is richer and we begin to view life with the curious wonder of children who feel the joy that life has to offer.
Through this well-crafted, gorgeous essay, I got a glimpse of what your future videos will be like. I can’t wait to see how you capture life with a video camera.
Wow Jenny, I'm flattered by such kind words. Very pleased you liked it and that it resonated.
Great addition bringing Studio Ghibli's movies to the mix. They're indeed magically surreal and fit perfectly with this kind of thinking and worldview. I recently watched Princess Mononoke and just blows my mind how they accomplish such magical, nuanced worlds.
Because you're so right! Loved this you said: "And, when we do, life is richer and we begin to view life with the curious wonder of children who feel the joy that life has to offer." Very easy to forget, and when we don't, a whole new world opens. Well said.
And we would love to have you here, hope you do visit us someday!
My dear friend, you have renewed my interest in cultivating the magical, childlike parts of my mind. I will start watch Princess Mononoke and more Studio Ghibli movies. They certainly have a differently untapped quality in other films and animated productions.
I loveeeeeed seeing you during the writing session on Friday!!!! Yes, it will be wonderful to meet you in person someday. It will be a wonderful day. :) :) :)
I'm so happy to read that Jenny, and will love to see what you get out of that renewed and important interest, also from that deeper dive into Studio Ghibli, I'll love to hear your new insights!
Likewise, it was great seeing you on Friday!! And very much looking forward to that day when we meet in person! It will indeed be wonderful :))
"The highest concentration of magic per square meter of reality." I loved this line, and this piece! I will definitely be visiting in the near future ;). Thanks for capturing the surrealism, the magic so well. Through your words, it felt like I was there with you in part.
I'll be waiting for you Phil! Thank you for stopping by, very glad to have elicited those feelings, hope you get to experience them first-hand soon :)
I love this piece so much Oscar. It's so amazing to see Mexico City through your eyes and you do a great job with what feels like a hard tasks, capturing the surrealism of a city. It does feel that way, and reading this piece makes me want to visit again and pay more attention to all the conflicting but coexisting details. Amazing essay!
I'll be waiting for you and will happily show you around to see under which surreal circumstances we find ourselves into ;) Thank you so much Michelle, your kind words mean a lot!
Lovely tribute to a fascinating city. I'm shocked, shocked I tell you, that I've avoided the toques so far. Next time: modelos, mezcal, and car batteries! ;)
We'll remedy that soon then! Sounds like a plan. Thank you so much Wes, un abrazo
What a fantastic piece of writing, Oscar. You had me glued to the screen from start to finish, with a beautiful rhythm and colorful prose. And peace. I told you this already: your pieces give me peace and clarity of thought. “The highest concentration of magic per square meter of reality” -- this is so magical itself. Thank you for sharing this!
I'm very glad clarity and peace are the feelings you get Silvio, really appreciate you saying that and highlighting that line. Thank you so much for your always encouraging and kind words!
Wow, Oscar! This piece is fantastic. As I read it, I could hear you saying the words, which made me smile. I felt as if I watching a movie, and I could sense the magic leaping off the page.
Such high praise dear Rachael, thank you so much for these kind words, now you're the one that made me smile!