Día Nueve: el último día– January 1, 2026

Ok.. so, based on the fact that yesterday sort of never happened–in that we were in bed in the hotel room and missed New Years celebrations and my birthday, I think I can officially say that I did not add a year and am the same age as in 2025. We were able to have a very very light breakfast (pancakes) at the hotel and then figured we were strong enough to venture out for a while. We went to a neighborhood further from the center (taxied there and then walked back)–Xochimilko. Again a wonderful neighborhood with lots of murals and little cafes (but we didn’t dare eat anything. We managed to walk back although at the moment I’m not sure how we did that. We also ventured upon a weaver in his rather cramped studio in Xochimilko.

We did manage to watch nearly all of the Mamdani inauguration… and are inspired, excited, and hopeful that he can accomplish even part of his agenda. And let’s hope what is starting in NY can spread nationwide to counter the current D.C. agenda.

We stopped at a pharmacy to see if we could get any medication and were given some anti-nausea medicine, remembering that once in Switzerland Mike had stomach issues and the medication they gave him worked well. But this is Mexico, not Switzerland. Still, we took the pills but not sure they are doing anything. By the time we walked back, we were feeling pretty miserable again and after resting a while, we realized we should cancel our dinner plans and see if the hotel could make us some simple chicken soup. They brought it to the room, but it was quite salty so we really didn’t eat it. Hopefully we can eat breakfast in the morning before we head to the airport.. And keeping our fingers crossed that the flights don’t make things worse.

By the way, thanks for all the birthday wishes… and the compliments on the photography in these travel notes. Oaxaca is a visual feast. It’s a photographer’s delight.

i’m turning in now—due to dysentery circumstances,,,,,,,,

Hopefully we arrive home tomorrow evening and can normalize.