A Few Days in Mexico City a.k.a. 'DF'

I was able to catch a play put on by a local theater group, 'Teatro Clandestino', that incorporated the audience into the performance. One of my favorite places was the flower market. Passing by the stalls in the morning was such an amazing experince with all of the rich smells and colors.

Quick Tips:

Bring good walking shoes. Also, don't carry too much cash around. Pickpockets are very common and the streets are extremely crowded.

Best Way To Get Around:

Walking is the best way to travel around the capital. Cheap taxis, usually white Volkswagons, are also fairly abundant. ONLY take offical taxis!! Mexico City also has a subway or Metro. I did not use it while I was there, but I heard other tourists praise it.

The house was very similar to a Bed and Breakfast. I was involved in a literature conference when I visited and was allowed to stay here. Someone at the university knew someone.... There was a lady who took care of the cleaning and did light cooking. Everything was very pleasant and clean. The rooms had large windows that looked out either into the street or the courtyard of the house.

Sanbourn's is like the Denny's of Mexico, but better. The restaurants are large and very inexpensive. I ate here various times and the service was decent. I had quesadillas one time and tacos another. They are open fairly late (maybe all night, I can't recall). I wouldn't say the food is 'typical' Mexican, but it is tasty enough if you want a quick meal.

The Teatro Clandestino describes itself as a 'journalistic' theater group. They produce art drawn from headlines and everyday conversations in Mexico. The theater itself is a small, intimate space that probably seated only around 50 people. I saw a production called 'Todos Somos Marcos' by Vicente Leñero, the Artistic Director of the company. Tickets for this show were very hard to come by. A friend of mine got me a ticket. The show was fantastic. The audience did not exactly participate, but they were incorporated into the set and storyline. The actors did not ignore our presence. This is a very innovative sort of theater. I was very lucky to get a ticket while I was in the city. This play was, by far, my favorite experience of the trip.

This is the city's central park and it is gorgeous. There are lots of trees and plenty of shade. You can also find sculptures and a Moorish kiosk here. The park is the site of several festivals during the year and is heavily populated on most weekends. It is an ideal location to just sit and watch the people. If you have an interest in Mexican history, be sure to stop by the monument honoring late President Juárez on the Avenue named for him.

This church is truly a wonder. It is a beautiful combination of architectural styles from various centuries. The cathedral is big and airy and right off the main square. Any time of day you can find people inside praying and lighting candles. I always love to check out the altars in these places of worship. It is so fascinating to see how different cultures express their devotion. This cathedral is supposed to be one of the biggest in the entire world. It is home to 14 different chapels and some priceless tapestries. The vendors at the entrance make the experience all the more original. They are selling various 'relics' and prayer cards featuring pictures of the saints alongside maps of the city and Mexican flags. At different times of the year the cathedral is decorated with poinsettias (grown in Mexico) and this is a very striking sight. Also, don't miss the cathedral after dark. When the structure is illuminated it becomes even more impressive. There is something so breathtaking about the thought that generations have worshipped here during both peace and war. Finally, there is a monument to Fray Bartolomé de las Casas at the east side of the cathedral. Mexican history and Spanish literature buffs will recognize this name from his account of the treatment of the indigenous peoples of Mexico during and after the Spanish conquest. He has been called the protector of the Indians.

The House of Tiles is an impressive colonial mansion that was built in 1596, this house is covered with beautiful blue and white tiles. The tiles actually come from Puebla, Mexico. The bright colors really make the structure stand out. The tiles are very clean and the site is an excellent photo opportunity. Today the house is home to a Sanbourn's (see my dining entry) and a drugstore. Walk through the drugstore if you get a chance and check out all the Mexican knick knacks. Various Counts of Orizaba lived here in times past.

The Museum is huge. To say it deals with Mexican history is a real understatement. There are numerous exhibition halls dedicated to the various stages of the history, culture, and people of Mexico. Some halls house scale models of ancient Mexican civilazations. Others contain murals and dioramas. My favorite part of the Museum was the Aztec Hall. The 30-ton Aztec Calendar stone is on display here. I was also fascinated by the replica of Moctezuma's headress. Guides who speak English are available for tours. You really could spend and entire day here. I did. You can see arts and crafts as well as weapons. The literature that accompanies the displays is easy to read and understand. There are outdoor gardens with exhibits too. Most of the pieces on display are replicas, but there are actual relics as well. For instance, the Museum has a portion of a defensive wall from the city of Tula and a giant stone Olmec head. I also enjoyed the fountain that towers above the patio of the Museum.