- In TJ: I ate a hot dog from a street vendor. I love the idea of eating street meat, but its usually intimidating with the crowds and the language barrier and the obvious gringo. I did a little walk by on a taco stand I had heard about, and it was at the intersection that the internet said it would be, 4th and Ninos Heroes. Fight or flight, I chose flight and went on walking but found an empty hot dog and hamburger stand and ordered a hot dog. “Un poco español, si, si.” He was cool, on the phone with someone as I ordered and he prepared. “Con todo?” “Si.” So let’s see what I get, one with everything. He took it from a little warming station that probably wasn’t warm and literally put the dog on the grill for two seconds. No worries. It looked to be wrapped in bacon and he piled on some mayo, tomato, ketchup, and mustard. Forty pesos, so like two or three bucks. It was fine. I could have had six, or a dozen to be honest.
- In TJ: A happy moment happened to me just now. I am at Nelsons on Revolution having some beers before my flight and the wind had been hitting for long enough for me to say “It’s windy!” I felt chilly, and the happiness that having my hoodie in my backpack brought me and the happiness that the thought of putting it on brought me is probably a problem. I don’t know why but if stuff like that makes you so happy, I don’t think you are doing too well. I was born for hoodie weather.
- In OAX: I thought of Jim Harbaugh today. While he was coaching Michigan, he was asked how the team was coming along in fall camp. He responded by saying he wanted the team to be one percent better today than yesterday and tomorrow he wanted them one percent better than today. That is how I am looking at my knowledge of Oaxaca, and so on my second day, I can say with full confidence that the proportions of the buildings and streets is beautiful here. Whatever the measurements are, they got them correct. The buildings are at a pleasant height and the streets are at a cozy but not cramped width. The combination of these two factors, along with the cobblestone roads, create a very nice, even magical, atmosphere in town.
- In OAX: Knowing Spanish in Mexico is important, but that is not the only language being taught here. There are many indigenous languages used in the state of Oaxaca and the one I am most fluent in is of the folksy white person from northern United States. I dropped an “Ope” on someone today. These locals must hear it often with so many white people around. To the Oaxaqueños, I would explain “Ope” as “Sorry for inconveniencing you in any way, I’m going to change that and get out of the way as soon as I can, and we’ll both be on our way, thanks.”
- In OAX: Saw a guy walking down the street today wearing flip-flops and dragging his feet. I thought “That is the most ‘I stay in hostels’ guy I’ve ever seen.” He was short, pretty thin but a little chunky and he knew it. Mostly clean shaven, says things like “I need to shave” as he rubs his face, but he loves my beard. “Dude, I wish I could grow one like yours!” What did he do last night? “Dude, I went out walking and found this little bar and got shitfaced, they loved me there.” Plans for today? “I’m thinking about renting a car and going up into the mountains for a few days actually.” My response to that would be “Nice, dude!”
Dog Bites and Bee Stings
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Dog Bites and Bee Stings 
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