Even an experienced traveler does stupid sh!t. To stay out of potentially problematic situations, it is best to remember this, no matter how experienced you are.

In a job years ago, I used to visit Mexico City on a regular basis. I considered myself an experienced traveler, by then having visited two dozen countries in Europe and Asia.

My office building in Mexico City (This came up in a Google images search) The Starbucks is new!

I worked for a technology company and their travel support was good. A pre-arranged driver would pick us up from the airport and deposit us at the hotel. For rides around the city, we often had drivers or Mexican colleagues take us. At my U.S. home office, we had a security company who delivered presentations on security in general and advised us on specific destinations as well.

The instructions for Mexico City included this clear instruction: do NOT hail a taxi. At the time, green Volkswagen beetle taxis were as common as houseflies, but there were also boxy yellow ones everywhere.

Photo credit: Terry Shea

I read here that the city eliminated the green beetles in 2012. Absent 65,000 or so green taxis, I imagine the city landscape has changed.

Once again, NO taxi hailing: green, yellow, or otherwise. If we needed a ride from the hotel to the office, we were to get a taxi only from the taxi line at the Camino Real Hotel where we stayed. If we needed a taxi from the office back to the hotel, the office called one for us.

Camino Real Polanco – it’s very cool – I recommend it!

I still did something stupid. As instructed, I got my taxi in the morning from the hotel line. I was going to the airport directly from the office, so I was all packed with my roller suitcase and my black laptop case ready to explode at the seams. I was dressed in a business suit, a silk blouse, and heels. It was warm outside for a suit jacket, but the office was always overly air-conditioned.

For some reason, the taxi driver was confused. My office was on Insurgentes Sur, the main avenue in Mexico City, nearly 18 miles long. Other than the traffic congestion, this was not difficult. The buildings are numbered, in numeric order. As one would expect.

Insurgentes Sur is also lined with tall, glass, office buildings, such as mine in the photo above. My driver was frustrated. He pulled over and barked at me that we were here and I should get out. Then he peeled away from the curb and I looked around. I was not standing in front of my office building; that was a good 15-20 minute walk north.

I was furious, and mad at myself for paying him. This was probably good because I was a bit scared too. On the sidewalk, I stuck out like a beaming white girl in a pale pink suit and black patent pumps. I was starting to sweat in my silk blouse, but did not remove my suit jacket, as I did not want more crap in my hands. Dragging my roller bag, I marched up the avenue, fast and with purpose, muttering and cursing — not under my breath, but loudly. I was pissed off, but also hoping that anyone considering messing with me would think I was crazy. Several people looked at me (for any number of reasons). I gave them the stink eye and they turned away. I don’t know if my behavior helped to thwart any danger, as none befell me, but it’s an idea to try.

While I am on the topic of Mexico City, it is an incredible city that I highly recommend. There is plenty to do there, but here are 3 quick tips to consider:

• Order Queso Fundido at the Camino Real (or elsewhere).
• There is a lot of a amazing food to be found – try dining in a restaurant in an historic building.
• A day trip to the ruins at Teotihuacan –  it’s an amazing site/sight.

Main takeway: make sure you know where you are when your taxi driver drops you!