I know I wrote where I had moved back to Dallas in September 2010. Knowing that Dallas can be hot in the summer, I went to stay in México City during the summer of 2011. I stayed with friends, but this proved difficult. Seeing the 110º summer weather in Dallas I knew I had made the right choice – México City always seems to have spring weather: but moving around was a pain in the butt.
While visiting, my friend Bernardo Plasencia, who lives in Col. Santa Maria la Ribera, asked me over for dinner. After dinner he said, I have something to show you: we went to the roof of his building where he showed me a small apartment he was remodeling. The apartment had panoramic views of the city and a roof garden. The evening quite, cool breezes and view of the stars and the moon, was most enjoyable – it felt like sanctuary. Though remodeling was not completed, what had been done looked great.
I said, this is wonderful and then he says, “I am doing this for you.” He said he was hoping I would like what I saw and that I return to Santa Maria to live and to WRITE. I was so honored, how could I say no. So we made a contract and after my summer visit I return to Dallas to downsize so I could afford the apartment in D.F. and await the completion of the remodeling. And the thought of no more staying with friends and carting heavy luggage around town when in Mexico City sounded charming.
On Thursday evening January 12, 2012, I picked up my keys to once again live in Col. Santa Maria la Ribera on Dr. Atl across from the park Alameda Santa Maria with the Moorish Kiosk. Having arrived on an airplane, I of course didn’t have much, no bed or furniture: but I did have enough that customs asked if what I was bringing was personal or items to sell! LOL
My first evening in my new apartment I borrowed a pillow and blanket and slept on an air mattress. As I laid down to sleep, I couldn’t help but think of the time I first moved away from my parent’s house: with nothing, sleeping on the floor, starting a now life adventure.
The first few days I spent tending to workers finishing up the apartment and getting things for my home. Then nine days later I had my first soirée. It was good seeing old friends and to be hanging once again in México City
I do keep getting the question: Are you permanently back in México City? Well, I don’t see my world as permanent: wife’s/husbands, lovers and even friends get divorced: people die and I too will one day die, hopefully not soon though LOL! So to me, it seems, nothing is permanent.
BUT I do have two places to live now: I have a small apartment in Dallas’ Oak Cliff in an artist compound with a wonderful courtyard and then I have my small apartment, an art/writer’s studio, on the roof of an apartment building with a roof garden in México City’s Col. Santa Maria la Ribera. Living one day at time, living each day to the fullest in two countries – enjoying my wonderful ride.
photo of Chester voguing on the roof – click image for slide show of apartment
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