Day 0:  “Oh, the misery” – Packing & Run Errands Day

Neighborhood:  Home, Rancho Mirage, California, USA.

Today’s mission: one last solid workout at the gym. Time to push those legs — I’ll need them to climb the pyramids. Who knew there were pyramids in México? And they’re not even Aztec; they were built by the Teotihuacán civilization, long before the Aztecs ever arrived.

After the gym, it’s off to the bank for some cash, then the day’s real challenge: fitting 15 kg of gear into a single carry-on for each of us. No checked bags this time. The goal is to travel light and stay mobile. No tuxedos and ball gowns this trip…bummer.

Chris has been warned: no extra toothpaste tubes. I’m limited to just two pairs of shoes (pray for me). And of course, Jerry — the organized one — will have no trouble sticking to the limit. Cue the eye roll.

Now, if I can just figure out how many shirts can be rolled, stuffed, and squeezed into that little suitcase, we’ll be ready. Wish us luck — our trek to the Tijuana airport and on to Ciudad de México starts at O-dark-thirty (that’s 5:30 a.m. for you civilians).

“A donde fueres, haz lo que vieres.”

“Wherever you go, do as you see done.”

A perfect reminder before setting foot in México City — travel light, stay open, and embrace the rhythm of the place.