A Little Elsewhere: Mexico City
Updated: Oct 9
Under Canopied Walkways
Sometimes, I don’t need a vacation.
I just need a break from my own life.
A few days where nobody needs anything from me. Where I can be irresponsible and ignore my phone, and let someone else makes dinner.
That’s how Mexico City happened. It’s close enough.
So, off I went!
I packed all I needed for warm days, beautiful people, good food, and, naturally, a little impromptu fashion show.
Here’s how I squeezed a little luxury, a lot of walking, and just enough mischief into one weekend.
I checked in at Casa Cleo boutique by Viadora.
Tucked into Condesa, Casa Cleo felt less like checking into a hotel and more like being invited into someone’s very stylish home.
It is a converted house, which gave the whole place an intimate, residential feel.
And yes, I immediately started wondering if I could live there.
I could.
Then it was time to eat.
Mexico fed me well and I ate beautifully!
Bold flavors. Fresh ingredients. Beautiful presentation. The kind of meals mom makes on special occasions, the ones that require the good China.
And then there was Guzina Oaxaca.
We'll talk about that later.
Breakfast at Maque cafe
Breakfast at Mendl
Dinner at Husset
Food menu CHIHUAHUA cocktail GRILLED TUNA main course
Dinner at Guzina Oaxaca
The highlight was the fresh guacamole prepared table-side by our waiter.
The main course, however, missed the mark. The texture was somewhere between undercooked and mushy, and unfortunately, I couldn’t get past it.
The guacamole gets a yes. That dish gets a respectful no.
Dinner at Blanco Colima
The people were warm, genuinely kind, and incredibly inviting. Even walking through the local markets felt easy and unbothered.
The street vendors were so chill.
No hounding, no pressure. Just warm smiles, beautiful handcrafted pieces, and the kind of relaxed energy that somehow made me shop more.
Don't tell my carry-on. She’s already a little thick!
Here are the places that made the weekend.
Chapultepec Castle
Frida Kahlo Museum
Luche Libre
Then I wandered.
La Condesa neighborhood is high on shade equity.
Coming from Chicago, where concrete sometimes seems to have a personal vendetta against us, those tree-canopied walkways felt like luxury.
It’s incredibly clean, walkable, and wrapped in greenery from every angle. Think: an urban jungle vibe, minus the wild animals or trees out to ruin you.
Just calm, curated nature and the kind of peaceful energy that makes you want to wander aimlessly (like I did).
Getting anywhere was always longer than anticipated. Because every few blocks, another building made me stop.
Romantic balconies.
Ornate ironwork.
European-inspired facades.
Mexico City was showing off.
I’m here for it.
I walked almost everywhere.
No rushing for Ubers.
No trying to squeeze seventeen attractions into twelve hours.
No waking up before the sun because some travel blog told us we’d “miss the magic.”
I strolled.
Ate.
Lingered.
Rested.
That was the soft-life I needed.
I didn’t do everything in Mexico City.
And that’s exactly why the weekend worked.
Sometimes luxury is three days without an itinerary and a satisfied belly.
And then, just like that, it’s Monday.
Back to busy.
Back to responsible.
Back to “let’s circle back”.
But somehow, lighter.
Even Sandra’s voice wasn’t as grating.
So, tell me: what does your perfect quick escape look like?
Better yet, what city is close enough for you to hop on a plane, forgot you have bills for three days, and come back refreshed?
Tell me in the comments. Share with me where you go when need to exhale.
And if you have a favorite escape, leave it here.
I may just pack a bag and follow your lead.
Until the next getaway,
Emi
© 2026 | Emi Lalanne. All Rights Reserved.
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