So we said goodbye to the truck and hopped on the bus for a week of exploring and eating our way around Mexico City.
The greater Mexico City area is huge, with a population of over 21 million people.
There are some 300 neighbourhoods that would take a lifetime to explore.
For the first part of our visit we stayed in the leafy Condesa neighborhood.
Along with the adjacent Roma neighbourhood, Condesa is a mostly residential, artsy area with lots of shops, restaurants, cafes, parks and great street food!
Dog walkers are everywhere in Condesa.
Some seem to be getting more exercise than others.
Great eats on every corner!
Loading up the spit with Pastor meat for the evening crowd.
Just around the corner from our hotel in Condesa, El Farolito became our go to for late night tacos.
Tacos Bistec with Queso
Tacos al Pastor
Grilled onions served on the side.
Another must stop for the esquites outside the supermarket in Condesa….
The Mercado Roma is a high end gourmet food market in the Roma neighbourhood.
Many Mexico City restaurants have stalls here.
Not on the budget traveler’s list but we couldn’t pass up the steaming hot bowl of pozole from Jose Guadalupe.
We spent the next few days wandering these neighbourhood streets and the nearby Bosque de Chapultepec or Chapultepec Park.
We explored the markets, tasted weird and wonderful flavours and took in a little culture.
Need a bag of salty nuts! Didn’t try the chili beef jerky next to the nuts.
…and oh yes we went to see Adele.
For the second half of our stay in Mexico City we moved to the historic zone.
We checked into a hostel in the historic centre (Downtown Beds) for a basic but private room with shared bath. It’s kind of like a hipster prison!
…and we set off to see the sites.
The Zocalo, the largest plaza in the Americas is anchored by the Metropolitan Cathedral.
The National Palace borders the east side of the plaza.
Federal District Building to the South
The west side of the zocalo has been bordered by commercial buildings since the Spanish Conquest and is known as Old Portal de Mercaderes.
One of the commercial buildings that make up the Old Portal de Mercaderes houses the Gran Hotel Ciudad de Mexico.
…with it’s cage-like elevators and stained glass tiffany ceiling.
The Angel of Independence
Monument to the Revolution
Benito Juarez Monument
Palacio de Bellas Artes
…and then we ran into a Trump and Governor Yunes Linares protest.
…Now that you have an appetite…
Visiting local food markets is definitely one of our favorite pastimes in Mexico.
Some of the sites and smells can at times be a little intense but two of the tamer markets that never let us down for great photo opportunities, great shopping and a delicious meal came through once again.
First…Coyoacan
The Coyoacan neighbourhood is a happening area with cobblestone streets, full of cafes, museums (including the Frida Kahlo Museum), cantinas, parks and a great local market.
Mercado de Coyoacan
More nut …and spices.
Fresh corn tortillas
If you are in the market for a pinata. This is the place.
Have one made while you wait.
…and while waiting for your pinata…
…take a seat at the bar and choose from 18 different tostadas and just as many agua frescas at the famous Tostadas Coyoacan!
We went for the Plain Shredded Chicken, Chicken Tinga, Pata de Puerco (Pig foot), Fish Ceviche, Shrimp and Octopus.
For the best meat, cheese, fruit and vegetables we headed for Mercado San Juan.
First, some fruit and veg.
Then to the bug stall for Chapulines – grasshoppers and crickets fried in salt and garlic – great in a taco or omelet (or so we’re told).
We bought a small bag.
We passed on these guys.
We had worked up an appetite at this point so we sat down at the Las Tapas de San Juan market stall.
This is good looking fella is Miguel Angel. He will be taking care of us.
This place is ridiculous. From complimentary charcuterie and wine to start to complimentary dessert and wine to finish we quickly needed a siesta.
It was so good we wanted to pick up some meat and cheese for the cruiser so we waddled up to the meat counter.
…and before we know it the silly bugger is building us another sample plate so we can taste everything before we decide what to buy.
This is going to mess up dinner.
We ended our stay in Mexico with a highlight.
Our first visit to the Viernes Espectacular Lucha Libre!
The evening begins with the ladies getting the crowd fired up!
About 7 various sized tag team matches take place.
…at some point we’re hit with the ever popular “smell my armpit ” manoeuvre.
We missed the photo op when this little guy closed the deal in the 8 man event.
…and the evening ends with the Grand Finale 16 man Battle Royale
And that was Mexico City!
As we write this we can’t wait to get back there.
