Our time in Mexico City was nothing like what we’d imagined. As one of the largest cities in the world, we knew we weren’t going to be able to spend enough time here to really give this city justice so we picked a few points of interest and set off.
We had planned on spending 4 nights here, but soon realized we needed at least one more day. It didn’t take long for our allergies to flare up (which for Erica means bronchitis as well), causing us to use several of our days here attempting to recover.
Being on the road also tends to start putting us in a permanent backpacker-mindset if not kept in check. Needing a day to feel like ‘normal’ people, we decided to walk down to a nearby mall and see a movie. Now, you may find yourself asking “What movie did they watch in Mexico City?”. The answer? Well, it’s not as simple as that. You see, Erica is film major with very high expectations for movies and Shaun is dude. Not just any dude, but a dude who has not driven his Subaru WRX (or any other car) for a month now. He goes through withdrawls, bad, and needs a fix. Like any crack whore knows, you do what you need to survive. On this day, survival meant sitting through Rapido y Furioso 5. And, plot/realism aside, not a completely terrible movie.
Much of our time was spent in Coyoacan, a very safe part of the city. In fact, it seemed to us that the only thing you have to worry about in Coyoacan is having your business shut down for “Violating the law”. You’d be hard-pressed to find a block devoid of at least one building plastered with the yellow signs, acting as a reminder that EVEN YOUR ART STORE ISN’T SAFE!!! However, even with so many businesses closed down, the neighborhood was hopping well into the night. It was here that we got our first, wonderful tastes of churros relleno and churros and hot chocolate. Along with tacos al pastor, add them to your “food you should absolutely try in Mexico City” list.
One of our other highlights here was meeting up with Laura (of GoMexicoGuide.com) and her fiancee, Carlos. We spent a couple evenings getting to know each other, laughing, sharing stories, and probing all the advice we could from them. Good times were had by all.
We did manage to make it Templo Mayor and Teotihuacan, so at least we crossed a few more things off our list- even though we felt like hell in the process.
Mexico City is a place where anything is possible if you know where to go. Hopefully next time we’ll be in better health and be able to get more accomplished.
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haha, the caption on that photo cracked me up, because my rabbit is named Taco! And I’m liking the (what I think looks like) tequila in the background 😀
Great photos as ever. Please keep the food porn photos coming – it is one of the main things I’m looking forward to about going to Mexico on my RTW next year! 🙂
Tacos Al Pastor are my JAM! make sure you try a guajolote too, it’s a sandwich. It’s bolio (sp?) bread dipped in red sauce FRIED then stuffed with carnitas, little fried chunks of carrots and potatoes, lettus and crema and salsa. drool please eat many for me!
@Seattle: That may be one of the best pet names EVER. As for the tequila – it was actually just beer. I’m not sure I could have kept the tacos down with tequila!
@Julia: I love food porn and expect more in the future. I can’t help but eat (which explains a lot) but I feel as though you get a handle on the culture that way.
@Laura: They moved to the Top 10 things Erica loves to eat list. As for the guajolote, I think I have only seen them in Guadalajara.
You know, I’ve never had much of a desire to explore Mexico City–most of what you read in the mainstream media talks about it having one of the highest crime rates in the world–but you and a handful of other bloggers who have been in recent years have me reconsidering that.
Tacos al pastor are one of my favs anywhere! I would like to visit Mexico City and you have whetted my appetite for it. Feel better soon.
Seeing a huge city like Mexico City in a few days is impossible, but I think “acting like normal people” is a great way to live the city! Out of the tourist role and just living the local life. Way to go:)
I love going to the movies, I even went to see Arabic movies just for the sake of going to the movies (and didn’t understand a bit obviously!)
Oh and great pics as usual:)
My oldest friend used to live in Mexico City and the way she described it just made it sound so big and overwhelming…I don’t think I’d ever attempt a trip there. It’s nice you had some friends to show you around and make it feel less big and lonely =)
Hope you both are feeling better. I have allergies as well and they turn nasty this time of year. Is there anything specifically you two do in order to keep them in check while you’re traveling?
@Kristin: From what I was told, DC has a higher crime rate than Mexico City. I also think it depends on where you stay. The part of town we were in was super cute and pretty safe.
@Debbie: I’m glad you are on my Pastor train! Mexico City is super cool. I suggest at least a week there to see quite a few things.
@Giulia: I like acting like normal people every now and then! It keeps me sane especially when we are sick. I don’t mind doing the tourist thing but sometimes I just want to relax.
@Andrea: It is kinda big but the subway system makes it super easy to get around. I put it on par with London. 😛 Our friends just kinda met up for a few beers. Everything else is super easy to find. 🙂 I suggest giving it a try.
@Patricia: We are feeling much better! As for keeping them in check… meds.. that is about it. We aren’t staying put long enough to try the honey remedy.
Great great post and comments! Mexico City is one of my favorite places in the world – so true that it is too often overlooked.
I can’t resist just a couple other tips: a walk around the university is always fun, and it also has the modern art museum and a really surprisingly great restaurant; check out one of the upscale mezcalerias, either in Condessa or Calle Regina near the Zocalo; try to go to a soccer game (Go Pumas!); do not miss a day partying on the canals in Xochimilco; and, most importantly, eat Tacos de Suadero!
@Evi: Thanks for the tips! We meant to hit up Xochimilco but got so sick we had to spend the entire day in bed. I’ve heard nothing but great things!