Dia Ocho: December 31, 2025… As the year comes to an end. Oaxaca, Mexico

The party that was not to be; our day in our hotel room.

If I have the time correct, as I write this travel note, Zohran Mamdani is being sworn in as mayor of New york City! What an exciting moment for my home town. This official swearing in is at the old City Hall Subway Staton ans is a small event. The choice of this location is interesting. It is the city’s first subway station, dating back to 1904, It’s architecturally stunning. Though the station is still active as a turnaround, it was officially decommissioned in 1945. Only New York Transit Museum members (like me) can sign up for tours which occur about twice a month. (The problem is that they don’t announce the datee until about 4 weeks prior and I can never get it to work…. some day). As I understand it, Letitia James will do the honors. That’s exciting. I’m a big fan of hers (ever since she was brave enough to buck all other elected officials and fight against the Atlantic Yards project.) The public swearing in at City Hall will happen tomorrow and it will be Bernie Sanders and AOC who will do those public honors. They are each expected to speak, along with Mamdani. Wish I could be there.

Instead, Mike and I are both holed up in the hotel room with some kind of stomach bug….probably something from last night’s dinner (which was great, but…..) Stayed in bed until about noon and then showered and got dressed, but was too weak and too sick to even go downstairs. We’ve had the hotel delivery herbal tea every few hours and dry toast. I can oly eat about 1/4 of one slice. Mike was able to eat a whole slice. We had reservations at a really nice restaurant –Criollo–to celebrate a new year and also my birthday, but instead I’m focused on water and toast.

In between sleeping and “eating” we have been watching a strange comedic tv program called “Mr. Bean” which takes place in London. There is very little dialogue as it is mostly mime.

In the background we can hear the loud music from the New Year’s Eve party on the hotel’s roof.

Mr. Bean wa debuted in 1990 and ran for 5 years. It’s based on a character developed by Richard Atkinson while he was at Oxford. All the episodes focus on Mr. Bean who is like a child in a man’s body. In each episode, he attempts to solve a probem and causes lots of disruption in the process. Since I can’t find any BBC or other English news, Mr. Bean has to fill the void. I actually think it’s fairly hilarious. But now I’m headed back to sleep and hoping tomorrow will be a better day.

Wishing you all a very Happy New Year and hope that the 2026 elections bring better news and better outcomes.

Fern

PS At midnight we could hear thunderous fireworks coming from a variety of locations, I think — including the hotel courtyard and probably near Santo Domingo Church.