I was recently in Latin America—Mexico and Nicaragua, to be specific. My first stop was in Mexico City for business meetings. To my shock (and pleasure), there were two Starbucks right next to my hotel, literally about one minute away from each other. Being a coffee lover and a big fan of a caramel macchiato, I almost started skipping across the street to partake in my favorite coffee drink and pastries. One evening I slowed my pace and decided to try something different and wandered into a little café that was almost empty. It was not a big chain or well known internationally, and I must admit the coffee and pastries were not as tasty as my Starbucks treats, but there was one big plus provided—there was camaraderie.
Here the staff was interested in me, a complete stranger. They wanted to know where I was from and to trade stories. The server and manager even waited expectantly as I took my first sip of cappuccino and bit into my piece of pie. They were waiting for affirmation that I made the right choice by stopping into their “unknown” establishment. This little “hole in the wall” place made me feel more like an acquaintance than just another traveler stopping in for their java fix. That was a treat more unexpected than a splendidly made caramel macchiato.
Later during the week, I was still a little bummed from a disappointing and expensive meal at a touristy restaurant located by the Pyramids in Teotihuacan, Mexico. I decided to stop into a mall back in Mexico City and ran smack into one of the common American chain restaurants. Though I knew the food at this restaurant would probably be good, not too pricey, and would not disappoint my palate, I told my local companion I wanted to go somewhere I would not be able to go to at home, some place known to the locals. That led us to the restaurant El Pendulo and one of the most scrumptious appetizers and smoothest mango shakes I have ever tasted. This was more than just a restaurant; it was an experience. It was a hang out spot that included a book shop, music store, and a cozy café all-in-one, and most importantly, not a tourist trap. It will be on my list to stop into the next time I am in Mexico City.
