Seeing the City in Pink
A Sensory Stroll Through CDMX's Streets
Hey friends 👋
I want to share something a little different this week: a photo essay from México City.
I’m not going to say too much. I’d prefer the pictures to do the talking.
But to briefly introduce the photo essay, last week I talked about embracing the flâneur mindset and finding a balance between personal growth, unique experiences, and the chance to create engaging content that reflects the excitement and unpredictability of life on the road.
The flâneurialist approach can be applied to engage in interesting ways with pretty much anything, so I decided to have some fun with it here in CDMX. I set a timer for 60 minutes, and set off with my camera in search of the colour pink. Or more precisely, Rosa Mexicano.
Rosa Mexicano, which translates as "Mexican pink," is a vibrant shade of pink that is often associated with Mexican culture and design. The pigment used to create Rosa Mexicano comes from a type of insect called the Cochineal. When crushed, the insects release a red dye that has been used to colour everything from your pants to your coffee.
In fact, the dye was so valuable that it was often used as currency by the Aztecs (big up to ChatGPT for that factoid!).
Anyway, by having a singular focus (ie, find as much pink as I could in one hour), I got to throw off all concerns about where to go, what to do, and why to do it, and instead enjoy being pulled around this magnificent metropolis in an absurd and unpredictable way.
As you look through these photos, I invite you to consider how you might apply the flâneurialist mindset in your own life. What unique experiences and unexpected adventures could you have if you wandered aimlessly or gave yourself an inexplicable focus? Here are some wacky, generative ideas for exploring your town or city:
Follow the circle: Get a physical map of your city and draw a circle on it. Then, try your best to follow the circumference of the circle as you walk through your city.
City swap: Use the map of another city to navigate your own. Pick a city that you're unfamiliar with and try to recreate its street layout in your own city.
Take a chance: Make a list of random actions or challenges (such as "turn left at the next junction" or "ask a stranger for directions to a fictional place"). Then, pick one at random and follow through with it.
These could be a fun and unpredictable way to explore your city and challenge yourself to step outside your comfort zone.
Enjoy my photo essay of CDMX! Hit reply and share any ideas, sensations or questions that come up.
See you next time
– Harrison
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