My first impressions of Mexico City were such a mixed bag. So I went back, as I often do and looked through my pictures.
Mexico City a summary
Turned out I was right. A real mixed bag. DF as it’s locally known (Districto Federal) is such a contradiction. It’s like stepping back in time and being confronted by the poorest of poor housed in the luxury establishments of Mexico’s elite. One street can have a tiny mom and pop Papeleria (selling sticky tape, wrapping paper, buttons shop) next door to a 9$ juice bar, over the road from a street cart selling 50c empanadas, next to a 180$ a night boutique hotel. It’s overwhelming and often so bazaar you go home wondering which enterprise you may have imagined.
Although it’s a city of 22 million sprawling inhabitants there are vast areas which you half expect to see a giant tumble weed sweeping through, like one of those abandoned nuclear villages. Minutes later you turn a corner, descend into the subway and boom, a reminder that there really are 22 million people here and quite possibly they may have all just got I to your subway car.
I spent the first few days wandering, relatively aimlessly, to get a sense of the place and the people in it. We were actually looking for a base here and intended to spend 6 months using it as a stepping stone to the rest of Central America. Our plans changed. One of the major reasons being quality of life which for us being a two man team is so crucial. Oscar was just 15 months old when we arrived and although I do at some point have to work to fund this endless journey Mexico City was going to be that place. More about all of this later.
I just wanted to share a few first pictures of our wanderings and a few of the things we encountered. I will be writing a lot more about what to do and see in DF and there really is a lot. One particular guide book said that the city had a museum for everything and I honestly have to say I wouldn’t be surpassed. I have never been in a place that likes to hoard quite as much as me. I enjoyed the experience thoroughly of course. Anyway back to the photos…
Roma’s beautiful colonial buildings and bohemian vibe was one of our favorite . We were lucky enough to stay in the home of Mexican chef Monica Patina who owns some amazing eateries around town. Which I highly recommend. If you sign up for our newsletter we will get a full list to your inbox too! (shameless plug!)
Bosque de Chapultapec is a giant park slicing through the centre of the city. It has so much going on from museums to boating lakes but most importantly the people watching is priceless.
San Angel is a small triangular zone between Polanco, Roma and North of Condesa. We came across it as a recommendation of an up and coming neighborhood. Still in the rough, the religious iconography was incredible and we never came across another hood quite so densely decorated by both pagan and Christian murals and shrines.
Xochimilco (pronounced Sochimilko) was just plain weird. Its pretty far out and consists of a ton of waterways that you travel on in a sort of Mexican gondola called a chalupa. Great for a booze cruise but a little precarious with a toddler on board :)y
The food and coffee scene in DF is ridiculous. There is so much choice high, low and in between. The interiors are equally as varied and there is just so much to try out from regular Mercado’s to see and be seen restaurants. There are some serious ice cream joints too as well as the regular paleta stands. We are of course going to share this with you as soon as I have a semi decent internet connection. Let me tell you that is not the greatest thing about Mexico. The internet truly sucks. Im just rounding up our top 10 things to do in the city as well as a pretty cool kids guide too. Until then HASTA LUEGO AMIGOS!
