Wednesday, July 11, 2012

Y Mucho Mas, Part 1: More Mexico City Adventures for a Rather Warbly Wendesday

Believe it or not,  I actually do more than eat on my trips.  I sightsee. I wander around. I walk - a lot. I go to museums and historical sites. Sometimes I even sleep!

Here I am at Teotihuacan, a pre-hispanic city 30 miles outside of Mexico City. Climbing the narrow, uneven steps to the tops of the pyramids was an exercise in overcoming fear and vertigo, but I did it, and so naturally I wanted to take few moments to savor the accomplishment and contemplate the incredible view from the top.

I'm a huge dog lover, and I was  on the lookout for the wild dogs I heard live in and around the ancient archeological site. You're supposed to leave them alone, but I couldn't resist making a little "smooch" sound when I saw this beauty. She was very intrigued!
You can take the tourist bus to Teotihuacan if you're so inclined, but  I never join tour groups. Why would you want to have a pre-packaged experience? I prefer to find my own way and seek out adventure. So instead I took a regular city bus - and we certainly found adventure. In one tense moment, armed guards boarded the bus and made all of the men get out to be searched.

All's well that ends well, however, and this small scare was well worth the rest of the ride. (Not to mention not having to be around a bunch of tourists.) At various stops along the way, musicians boarded the bus and serenaded the passengers for tips - these are the guys who put the "warble" in warbly Wednesday. One of them even took a stab at John Lennon's Imagine!:
Autobus to Teotihiuacan, Mexico City from Tasty Trix on Vimeo.

Speaking of dogs ...  I was keen to visit the zoo in Chapultepec, primarily because of the Xoloitzcuintle, or Mexican hairless dogs. So cute!!
Next I  climbed the steep hill to the Castillo de Chapultepec, where Mexican emperor Maximilian I (of the Austrian Habsburgs - man, they got around!) lived ... until his execution, that is.
 Incredible painting on the Castillo's ceiling:

On my first full day in Mexico City, I was walking back from my meal at Fonda El Refugio in Zona Rosa when I happened upon this evening dancing event at Plaza del Danzon - people of all ages were participating, and I think it was in this moment that I first fell completely in love with the city:




Two girls for every guy!
Indeed,  sometimes the most memorable things happen when you simply let yourself wander. I strolled through Viveros Park and became obsessed with the friendly squirrels there:

And after visiting Frieda Kahlo's house (that is a post all its own!), as I walked around admiring the beautiful Coyoacan neighborhood, we met high school student Carlos.  He asked if he could interview me for his English class. I hope you got an A, Carlos! (I am sure he did, his English was fabulous):
This is not to say that I abjure planning. Seeing the Diego Rivera mural "Exploitation of Mexico by the Spanish Conquistadors" for example, was the high point of my (planned) visit to the Palacio National. It's hard to give a sense of the scale in photographs, it's really awe inspiring:




The courtyard had a very European feel:
But walking around for hours and hours on a hot day is truly exhausting, isn't it?
And so I will leave you on this dramatic note until next time - there's plenty more Mexico City adventure that I want to share!





12 comments:

  1. Ugh. I want to be in Mexico. That ceiling painting is absolutely breath taking, and those murals... my goodness. Love the video as well. Hairless dogs, wild dogs, ack. Can't get enough of hearing about this trip.

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  2. We would be good travel companions. Your description sounds much like when my husband and I travel. I love your sense of adventure and that you avoid tour groups:)

    Another really great post Trixie. Yes, I might be a bit biased, hehe. Loved the video and all of your photos are great. Can't wait to see your post on Frida Kahlo's house.

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  3. I was wondering when we'd get to see more of your trip! And I know what you mean, if there is anything I hate its when you are in a foreign country scurring around to see the sights, museums, food, markets, zoos, landmarks, etc. its tourists. Blech. P.S. I've saved that last shot for my scrapbook. Love it. Love you.

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  4. There's something more than eating? These photos are incredible!

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  5. Gorgeous photo's you also look fabulous! I went to the Ruins last year.. amazing history... seems like you have been on vacation for months now? Are you both retired? These are amazing days and days of great vacation posts! love it!

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  6. Wonderful photos right across the spectrum: thank you!

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  7. You look like Frieda in that last shot (except for the uni-brow of course). Great personal tour. I always skip tour buses and organized tours. I had to take one once in Japan and couldn't bear it. They wanted me to see one of the 7 wonders in about 5 minutes. I was just on time back at the bus and the whole group was there and had been for over 1/2 an hour (we only had a bit more than an hour). If its Tuesday it must be Belgium... whoa.

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  8. Ay - fantastico! Such a fun tour, thank you for taking us along. I loved all of the photos (and the video)...especially the end of the day exhaustion =).

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  9. thanks for taking us along - I remember the first time standing on the sun pyramid as a kid (it did not have rails back then)and fearing the steep downward narrow steps. I believe I did the butt-bump down the first half... every time I read your fun trips, they make me want to return to the fabulous city..

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  10. I will definitely make it to Mexico one day! And I love your non-tourist approach to being a tourist! =)

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  11. Love your photos - brings me back! Ten years ago, I spent two weeks in Mexico City (during an almost year-long trip in Mexico and through a bit of the US, too). I loved visiting the historical sites, galleries and museums. I agree with you on the bus system. Much better to take the route with the locals than to have a packaged tour experience.

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  12. Beautiful Gallery, thank you for sharing. Loved the multi-colored dog

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