Hello everybody!
A while ago I went to Mexico for the 2nd time. Yes, I have already been there before and just because I really really like it, I decided to go there again.
My first time in Mexico was about 2 years ago. I spent 6 weeks there and due to that time I could get to know the country and the culture pretty well. I can tell you that I completely feel in love with it! I visited my friends all around the country and they introduced me with the very best of Mexico. So, let me introduce you to Mexico City and what I saw there during my 5 day trip!
When I visited Mexico for the first time, I already knew that I would go there again! I am always happy to be there, visit so many beautiful places, explore new places, meet a lot of super nice people and eat a lot of excellent food!
This time I finally had a chance to explore a little more the North of Mexico City. I saw the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe because I didn’t have a chance to see it before. Previous time I dedicated some more time to explore the south of Mexico City. Oh, yes, let me tell you that Mexico City is a huge city. There are about 22 million people and it takes a lot of time to travel from one side to the other. If you plan to see something in a particular part of the city, you better stay there, be there or travel early enough to avoid the rush hour because the traffic there is horrible, it really will drive you crazy. And also, please don’t take the metro during those peak hours.
This trip was dedicated to meeting my friends. I had some plans to visit some places but most of all I wanted to see my dear friends. And I managed to do both! There is something that I really love about Mexicans. Mexicans are simple and really nice people. Their hospitality is really admirable!
It was so nice to see my friends there. I met most of them during my exchange studies in Prague and a long time has passed. In spite of that, we still keep in touch and try to visit each other wherever we are in the world. That is a real friendship! Thank you everyone!
My other highlight of this trip was Casa Gilardi by Luis Barragan. He was such a remarkable architect. It was totally worth it! So far is has been one of the most impressive houses that I have ever seen! First of all, I had a reservation and when I went there, it happened that I was the only person to be there at that time. I was so lucky to get this private tour. Just before I entered the house, I saw around 12 people coming out of it after their tour. At that time I hoped that there would be less of them in my tour. That was very important for me to experience this house alone because Luis Barragan’s principle for creating the space was solitude. And I wanted to feel it the way its inhabitants do.
Light was a very important principle of Luis Barragan’s work. He designed natural light and indirect light everywhere in his architecture. Everything was designed for a reason, nothing there is a coincidence. I love the way he did it! And I love the colors he picked for the house. Every color has a meaning and every shape there as well. He loved to design the space that creates emotions. Every hallway had a purpose to prepare you to the next room. And when you open doors to every room you will hold your breath for sure because he designed it that way. You will be amazed by his architecture for sure!
I will create another post about Luis Barragan and his architecture. Last time when I was in Mexico City, I visited his house and studio which was great too. He definitely deserves a special post.
After visiting Luis Barragan’s masterpiece, I went to the exhibition of James Turell in Jumex Museum. James Turell is an artist who works with light and who was also inspired by Luis Barragan. I am more than sure that there are plenty of creative people who got inspired by Luis Barragan and I am not an exception. He is really one of my favorite architects.
James Turell is an artist who is primarily concerned with Light and Space. He got really famous for his artwork of light. He played and experimented with it in a creative way. His work can even leave a psychological impact on you. That is really impressive. Look at these colors and look at those shapes!
This was an exhibition in Jumex Museum that is in Polanco. When you plan to go there, plan to visit Soumaya Museum as well. It is right next to it.
Soumaya Museum from the outside is like no other museum. It looks so futuristic! If you are in Mexico City, you definitely have to check it out. And don’t worry because it’s cool and the entrance is free of charge. You will see there a lot of precious artwork, paintings, sculptures, figures of gold, silver and ivory. The collection is really impressive and it is worth a visit.
Another thing that is in the same area is AR museum called Trick Eye Museum that I had a chance to visit with my other friends. I’m so thankful to them for that! It was fun and I also saw a lot of potential for AR in the entertainment industry.
Museums might not be for everyone but all of you definitely have to go to Zocalo. That is the main square of the city. Here in Mexico City there is not just a huge square with a huge flag but also the President’s Palace, Mexico City Metropolitan Cathedral, Templo Mayor and so much more!
Did you know that under almost every church and cathedral there is a pyramid that has been buried? Crazy, right?
This is Templo Mayor which means “the main temple”. It was the main temple of the Mexica people in their capital city of Tenochtitlan, which nowadays we know as Mexico City.
When you go to this area, try to spend the whole day there. Really close from Zocalo is the Palacio de Bellas Artes (Palace of Fine Arts) which is a prominent cultural center in Mexico City. Wikipedia says that it has hosted some of the most notable events in music, dance, theatre, opera and literature and has held important exhibitions of painting, sculpture and photography.
It is a very beautiful marble building. As it is all marble, it is pretty heavy. Let me tell you that Mexico City used to be a lake but now there is no water or no river. It has been artificially drained so the soil there is not quite solid. I mean, Bellas Artes is sinking every year for ~40 cm. That is a lot! The City is located about 2000 m above the sea level and it is a seismic active zone. You don’t have to be a rocket scientist to understand that this is a huge problem. I really hope that they will come up with a solution and that everyone and everything there will be fine!
It is such a historical heritage! Nearby there is a really beautiful Post Office called Palacio Postal which literally means “post palace”. You can visit it as well.
If you have some more free time then check out the Museums that are nearby, there are plenty of them!
And of course – enjoy the Street Food!
I missed Mexico food like crazy! I wanted to taste all of my favorite dishes! Let me recommend some: I really love their tacos al pastor. Those are my very favorite ones! l love them especially with agua de horchata (rice water). In my photos you can see churros which is their traditional sweet snack. And the photo below represents elote which is one of my very favorite street foods in Mexico! I just love it!!!
I had a great time in Mexico City but just because I have a lot of friends there, I had a chance to go to another city as well. This time I went to Cuernavaca in Morelos that is not that far from Mexico City. It was great to visit another city and to feel another kind of Mexican spirit. I’m so grateful to have such great friends that can show me some new places and take me to their homes.
I had not just a sneak peak in Cuernavaca city but also a place nearby where I had to overcome my fears of heights. In the end it was pretty cool but the beginning was a little scary. But it is a lot of fun when you do it with your friends.
I feel so grateful and so blessed about the opportunity to visit this place again! I will plan to go there again and again because one life is not enough to explore everything that Mexico has to offer you!
So overall, I just want to let you know that it is always a good idea to go to Mexico. I am so grateful for my dear friends who made me fall in love with this country! And I love learning new cultures and traditions! Mexican culture is more than incredible! You all should go there. And I am here to give you the best advice for the best experiences!
Stay adventurous and keep travelling!
LATVIAN WANDERER 