Its streets boast of impressive century-old mansions. Some beautifully restored, some in a state of partial ruins. Almost every five yards there’s a sari-sari store (what we call a small family owned convenience store in the Philippines) and a taqueria. In a few areas, even a pub. And occasionally a smooching couple in a corner….

I assumed that the faint knock on our slightly ajar door was from the housekeeping lady. It was a man’s voice I heard however, and he only spoke Spanish to Shervin. I was able to make out a few words which included “señor” and “comida”. The mere mention of comida, the Spanish word for lunch…

Oaxaca City’s zócalo is bustling tonight, and we joined the merrymaking for a short while. We watched marching bands, folk dancers, a capoeira exhibition, and a spectacular light (projected on the cathedral’s facade!) and sound show at the main plaza. Some spectators, on the other hand, watched Luna dancing on her daddy’s shoulders instead. I…

The rhythmic clickety-clack produced by man heels (you read that right!) faintly echoed across the peculiarly peaceful San Francisco International Airport at nine in the evening. It was most audible at our check-in line for Aero Mexico, where Mexicanos donning multihued snakeskin boots, leather jackets and cowboy hats turned our queue into a rodeo catwalk….