Jimmy Chim

Tag: Mexico

  • Beneath the surface

    Zacatecas in Mexico has a breathtaking landscape: ornate colonial buildings, rows of colorful houses up the hills, and winding cobblestoned alleyways in between. The city is vibrant yet uncrowded. The people are friendly. I’d be happy to stay here for weeks. 

    Like many major Mexican cities, Zacatecas had a challenging colonization history. What made the town unique was beneath the surface: the minerals. 

    The region was one of the world’s largest silver-producing areas for a long time. The Spanish conquistadors forced the indigenous people to work underground and endure grueling conditions. Many died from the mines collapsing, lead poisoning, and exhaustion. 

    A guide at a historic mine told us that many workers often incurred massive debts. Even when an indebted worker died on the job, the mine owners would not forgive the debt. Instead, the debt would be passed on to his children, perpetuating generations of enslavement. 

    With the tremendous wealth from the silver production, the Spanish conquerors built lavishly and left behind the stunning architecture that remains standing today.

  • Viva la vida

    While wandering in San Luis Potosí’s historic center, I saw a musician in an alley. He was playing Coldplay’s Viva La Vida on a violin. Two people walked by and contributed to his violin box, but he seemed too into his performance to notice.

    His choice to play in this relatively quiet alley intrigued me. The Plaza de Armas was only two blocks away; he must know the central plaza would offer ten times more traffic.

    Yet, he picked the best place for his art, even if that meant less traffic and fewer eyeballs. He decided to play for a smaller audience.

    I was captivated as his beautiful music played with the stunning background. When he finished performing his piece, I clapped. Another couple followed. The violinist acknowledged us with a shy but lovely smile. I made my contribution and moved on with my evening. 

  • Eres importante

    Taco Y Tortas El Torito in San Luis Potosí is remarkable.

    Like many excellent street taco shops, El Torito offers delicious food with various options at reasonable prices, but it provides more than that. The stall is adjacent to a small storefront with ice-cold drinks in the fridge and a sink to wash your hands. The area is shaded by a line of giant trees, offering relief in the oppressive 92°F/33°C heat. 

    The most noteworthy of all, however, is its order-to-pay system.

    First, the signs. On one side of the stall hangs a “Fila aqui” (queue here) sign and a colorful menu with prices listed in a big font. It’s easy to know how to get started. 

    Second, ordering. Follow the queue and walk along the side of the stall. One of the four cooks will take your order and immediately start assembling: no handoffs and little room for miscommunication.

    Third, food preparation. Despite the tight space, the shop is organized. All the ingredients are easily accessible. Fresh tortillas constantly come off the comal. The cooks effortlessly shower a generous amount of chopped cilantro and onions onto each dish. Your order will be ready within 30 seconds. 

    Lastly, payment. You don’t pay when you get your food. Instead, you pay when you finish eating, so you don’t need to reach for your wallet with your hands full. You can order extra items, tell the cashier everything you ate at the end, and settle the entire bill.

    Every part of this system tells the customer one thing: You are important. Your needs come first. We will serve you the best possible food and minimize your wait. Please enjoy your meal while it’s hot. We trust you to pay in the end.

    The result of this thoughtful design is a thriving business. When I visited at around 10:30 am on a Monday, dozens of local diners were already there.

    I never thought I’d be so inspired by tacos.