It is always the Zocalo. The...
by MichaelJohn
It is always the Zocalo. The downtown district is filled with anything and everything that you can imagine. An Aztec pyramid next to the Spanish cathedral and the Palacio Nacional. Dancers in the streets keep the indigenous beats alive with the smell of incense in your nostrils. A walk through any and all streets is a must to see the architecture and sample foods and, of course, buy stuff. Heading too far west could be a problem, as you get nearer to Tepito the area gets more dangerous (in the day it isn't so bad, but don't even think about a solo night walk). Behind the palacio headed towards the Merced can get a little hairy as well, but is still recommended as this is one of the oldest comercial zones in the city and the tradition oozes from the streets, buildings and shops (let alone the people). The centro is definitely the must see in Mex City. (take the metro on the pink line to the Zocalo station; check out the models of the old Aztec city in the metro before you emerge into the New Spain capital that will amaze you.) You have to eat 'tacos al pastor'. I still haven't completely figured them out, but with a cold cerveza they are amazing. It is some type of spiced pork that they put on a vertical spit like gyros and heat up the meat as you order. It is then 'shaved' off the spit onto fresh corn tortillas, garnished with cilantro and onion and a piece of pineapple that spins above the spit. A little salsa and you are good to go. At 2 pesos a-piece you can fill up on about 3 bucks US (including the beers) and people-watch a spell as you do so.
Political Expression - centered in the Zocalo
by VdV
Political expression abounds in the city. The Zocalo of course is a natural gathering place for people from all over the city and country to convene and share their political views.
On our last day in Mexico City, my Mom & I had an opportunity to witness first-hand the "people power" of political expression in Mexico. Our hotel was just a few blocks from the Zocalo--I was tempted to go there and take pictures, but based on the sheer numbers (hundreds of thousands of marchers/demonstrators) along Avenida Juarez, through the Historic Centre and into the Zocalo, I thought it best to stay at the hotel as we had to figure out how to get to the airport with the clogged streets.
My Mom & I emerged from a morning show of the Ballet Folklorico de Mexico at the Palacio de Bellas Artes and found ourselves literally having to fight our way through the crowded streets and the Alameda, which at 11:30am on that Sunday morning, were packed shoulder to shoulder with people headed for the Zocalo.
We had a few hours before our flight, and our hotel advised us to wait a few hours before departing, and they had to have the taxi take us from a side street through the back of the hotel to avoid the crowds and jammed streets.
The march was a show of support for Lopez, the Mayor/Governor of Mexico City, who had been indicted by federal authorities for "illegally" allowing the construction of a road on private property. Many people we spoke to said that the charges were trumped up in an attempt to keep Lopez from being a viable candidate for the Presidency in two years.
In my travelogue, you will see more pictures, including one of Lopez speaking to the masses during this historic event.
Packing List
by mocca
Just take what you always take when traveling. Shorts, shirts, shoes, sandals, pants, sweaters, jackets. Mexico lays on a high altitude, so it can get cold at night.
And also bring some fance clothes if you go dance the salsa or merengue Diarhea pills are a must like anywhere in the tropics. And just add all the normal stuff you always carry around with you, and if you have astma, bring extra stuff for it, or avoid Mexico city because of the smog Wide angle lenses are the best to take because it is an city, also a 100-135 lens will be handy for photographing people, and unless you go out the city and in the nature, leave your tele lenses at home.
Las Prismas
by chris_i79
About an hour from Pachuca (which is 1.5 hours North of Mexico) lies Las Prismas. A cascading waterfall surrounded by a campground and some venders. This is a popular getaway for people from Mexico City.
Insurgentes Av.
by Aptypo
Insurgentes Av.
It is one of the most important avenues of Mexico City. There are many important neighbourhoods and Districts along and arround Insurgentes Av.
Some of this neighbourhoods have turned into the most prestigious of Mexico City thanks to its central location and pleasant mood that reflect the cosmopolitan air of the zone.
If you look for another shopping area in the city, take a look at Insurgentes Av., there are a wide range of stores and some shopping centers mainly at San Angel, Coyoacan and Tlalpan neighbourhoods.
Not only for conventional shopping.
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"Chaja" dessert -- very yummy!!!!
Gloriest de Cibeles
Fonda el Refugio
Rivera's murals at national palace
