Day 30 - Mexico City

by Stewart Bell (Australia)

A leap into the unknown Mexico

The scene: A small movie producers' office in Hollywood. The decor is old and worn, and wallpaper is peeling from the walls. A window is open and a hot wind occasionally blows the thin curtain inside the room. A man is sat at a desk. His name is Stan and he is a movie producer. Soon, a second man joins him, sitting opposite him. His name is Laurie. He is a writer. They begin to talk. Laurie: I have an idea for a movie! Stan (looking up from his desk): Great! It's been a while, Laurie. I was beginning to worry. You wanna coffee? Laurie: No, I had one at Starbucks on the way. Stan (pressing the intercom): Candy, get me a coffee, will ya. Now Laurie, tell me all about it. Laurie: Well, it's set in Mexico City.... Stan (interrupting): Mexico City! Mexico City? Seriously, who sets a movie in Mexico City? Laurie: Have you ever been? Stan: Well, no. It's far too dangerous. Aren't there drug wars there? And what about that pig flu? Laurie: No, no, you've got it all wrong. Mexico City is massively underrated. It's an amazing place. Stan: Sure, but for a movie? Laurie: Yeh! Sure! It's got more history than it knows what to do with. The place is an amazing historical city. It's completely unique, like no other city. And the people are some of the most friendly you'll ever meet in a city of 20 million plus. As far as dangerous goes, sure if you go walking into the wrong area of town at 3 am you're in trouble. Other than that, it's no more dangerous than any other big city, I tells ya! As for drugs wars, I've never heard such a bunch of hot air... Stan: Really? But the newspapers... Laurie: Forget the papers. Drug Wars have been blown out of all proportion, and Mexico City is the right place to shoot this film. If you can handle a little pollution, it's got everything a film crew will need. Great food, superb locations and the best bit Laurie? It's cheap! Laurie: That I like, Stan! So what's the film about? Stan: Well, it's about people, really. It's about a moment in life when the chemistry between a group of strangers is simply perfect, and something unique comes along for one brilliant minute. It burns brightly and then, just as quickly as it came, it's gone. Laurie: Break it down for me Stan. Stan: It's about a group of travellers who come together at a hostel in... Laurie: ...Mexico City... Stan: ...right, and for four brilliant days, everything just clicks. Laurie: Clicks? Stan: Yeh, you know. The mix of people is right. The setting is right. Everything just works and what results is... Laurie: A Hollywood blockbuster! Stan: Maybe, Laurie. This film is not just about wandering around one of the biggest cities in the world, taking in the sites. It's not just about seeing the Zocalo or learning the history of a city that is over 500 years old. It's not just about partying into the wee hours of the morning or enjoying a beer on a rooftop overlooking the Cathedral. It's also about great conversation, and living for the moment with a group of people that have never met before – and may never again - but in the here and now, manage to strike up a vibe between themselves. Laurie: Who are we talking about here? Stan: I'm glad you asked. Let me tell you about the characters. Laurie: Great! Good characters sell! Stan: And these are real people, Laurie! First, we have Gerry. Laurie: Gerry? Laurie is interrupted by a man (unknown) who says... Man: 700 words or less? Stop being that person. Travel writing isn't about word count. It's about expressing the experience, giving people a sense of the experience so real, they can see it, smell it, feel it, taste it and see themselves in the experience. That isn't a 700 word or less thing. It's up to you, but this is a moment - https://thagreatescape.blogspot.com/2009/06/day-30-mexico-city.html PS. This actually happened, and the story has just begun. You don't know the blind date part yet