Oct-2014
My 5 favorite things to do in Mexico-City
Rrrrroar!
I’ve already mentioned a couple of times in previous articles and on my Social Media like Facebook and Twitter how fantastic I think Mexico City is. A major city in Latin America that yet gives the tropical, warm and cozy feeling you’d only expect on the beach.
A couple of months ago I decided to explore Mexico City and with the help of a local friend, and with the love I have for Mexico letting me wander around, I discovered the best of this city.
No matter if you’re going to stay for two days or a month, I would like to show you what you can do when in town.
1. Xochimilco
An hour away from the city center you’ll find Xochimilco, the Mexican interpretation of Venice. You can explore the long canals by gondola or ‘trajinera’ in Mexican, while also eating, drinking, listening to mariachis. The canals used to be an extensive lake but are now one big system of 170km of canals surrounded by little islands, called chinampas, where some people still seem to live. Xochimilco has made it to the Unesco list and is now a World Heritage Site.
All the Mexican gondolas have names of a woman
People try to sell you food during a gondola ride and you normally visit Xochimilco during lunchtime so why not have a Mexican bite?
2. Teotihuacan
The second biggest pyramid in the world…
Teotihuacan: ‘Teo’ means god and ‘tihuacan’ means city. Because of the giant bones found of Elephants and Mammooths the city was called Teotihuacan. However, the people back then thought that these bones came from the people who lived here… the giants… or the gods! 200.000 people lived in Teotihuacan. The question still remains: where did the corps go to? “Un gran mysterio!” according to one of my Mexican friends.
Quetzalquatl is another big name in the Mexican culture and history. ‘Quetz” means feather and ‘alquatl’ means snake.
Standing close by the pyramid of the sun
3. Lucha Libre
Roar! For the ultimate night out in a city like Mexico City you need to go to a ‘Lucha Libre’ match, where masked wrestlers battle each other in sometimes a very mean way to be able to maintain their cartoon-ish identity. I’m not sure if it’s all acted or if their ‘performance’ is real, but it’s sure as hell highly entertaining!
When the wrestler enters the arena they are accompanied by pretty ladies and they create an entire show around their entrance. Still I find the best part the moment when the competitor enters the stage and they all start screaming at each other and challenge them to approach. Even before the real bell to start the match, the wrestlers have already began. With names like Místico, El Santo, Black Shadow and Rey Mysterio, together with their colorful costumes, they all turn into some kind of superheroes fighting each other in a rather explosive way. Put it on your bucket list and get tickets for a show!
Following photos are all taken with my iPhone, since no cameras were allowed inside the Arena. Excuse me for the quality of them!
The arena from Mexico City
Come on guys! On which team are you?
The ultimate shame for a Lucha Libre wrestler is having to remove the mask when defeated
Dale!
Also the ladies compete in Luchalibre
4. Frida Kahlo museum
If you’re into art and philosophy you cannot miss out on a visit to the Frida Kahlo Blue House museum, where she used to live and nowadays is a exposition of her work and life. She’s been a favorite artist of mine ever since I found out about Dali’s art and discovered something similar in Mexico: Frida! Nearly the entire house has been converted into a gallery of Frida’s life and art, exhibiting her emotional and personal paintings. It’s incredibly emotional for me to walk around in this house and see where Frida slept, where her (ex)husband, Diego, slept and how she actually lived in Mexico City.
La Casa Azul is where Frida was born and where she died
5. Templo Mayor
Did you know that in the center of town you can find an ancient Aztec temple?! The site was discovered by some electricians when they started opening up the place about 30 years ago. It’s not the most impressive ancient ruin to visit, but just for its hard-to-believe location you should definitely lay your eyes on it for a bit. You can for example bring a visit to the El Mayor Restaurant-bar to have a great view of the Templo Mayor and enjoy some Mexican food or a drink while your at it.
Worth a mention
One of world’s most beautiful theaters is the Palacio de Bellas Artes in Mexico. You can enter the theater for free on a Sunday and walk up to the artwork of Diego Rivera, which is located by the stairs of the theater. Unfortunately it is not allowed to take any photos inside.
Another place highly recommended to visit would be Torre Latinoamericana for the view at the city at the ‘mirador de la torre latino’.
The view from the Torre Latinoamericana on the Palacio de Bellas Artes
Which place in Mexico City do you like best?
About Renate Rigters
Ever since I left my home country I felt at home at any other place I went to. I enjoy getting to know more cultures by talking to strangers and hearing their philosophy about life. Speaking with gestures when you can not find a shared language, finding places only the locals go to and learn about their customs and values. Hanging out with local people makes me happy. The experience of every new place is a step out of your comfort zone where I like to wander around until it feels like a second home.
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