Stepping out into a new city always comes with a few heart-in-the-mouth moments, especially if you arrive too late the night before to explore at all. With the new day comes the jaw-dropping moments, either out of disbelief or incredulous sights, sounds, and smells. Mexico City is no different in this respect. Those first steps along a perfectly swept sidewalk lead you to a world of colorful streets, where the street sweepers love to give solo dance performances in the wee hours of the morning—talk about ‘dance like no one is watching you’, these smiling characters love to show off their moves to whoever may be up and about. The eerily quiet and calm city streets don’t come alive until about 7 am, and then it’s only a smattering of souls clutching take-away coffee and the passing by of ‘policia’ lugging big guns loaded on the back of trucks ready to be dropped off around the city streets.
Later in the morning, the town appears to sleep in late—the constant rhythm of a bustling metropolis takes over. Footpaths belong to tented roadside food stalls, shoe polishers pop up everywhere, street musicians strum guitars, sidewalk vendors shout to the people passing by, dog walkers strut along with a number of hounds in tow, bakeries open with a flourish of the scent of freshly baked bread, and the aroma of rich, strong coffee lingers in the air outside quirky cafes. The traffic becomes a chaotic mass of bumper-to-bumper, with some cars looking like they shouldn’t be on the road at all. The habit of pulling up anywhere on the road and putting on flashing hazard lights to tell the world they have stopped for a while seems to be a quirky road rule that I have not encountered before. Constant car horns blaring appear to be on a par with impatient drivers in many Asian countries, which I did not expect in Mexico City. While rumbling buses struggle to turn onto narrow streets, they make several attempts as people dart out of the way.
Mexico City is ranked as one of the world’s largest cities by population, with a staggering estimation of around 22.75 to 25.4 million—little wonder that on the weekends, the streets become a ‘people crush’ of souls attempting to go about their business. Restaurants and cafes seem to overflow from the moment they open until they shut their doors—a testament to Mexicans' love of food and eating out. The city streets appear to be classified into what they are selling: the ‘bridal’ street is one of fluffy white meringue creations in every style imaginable, cloaking mannequins in window after window, and the music street shows off its wares from blaring speakers to smoke machines that virtually give you a headache within a minute of walking past. Masked security guards stand to attention, sometimes in pairs, outside of virtually every shop in the city.
The city is a treasure trove for tourists, whether they're chasing Michelin-starred restaurants, haunting incredible art galleries, or visiting mind-blowing museums. Just walking in the historic center, it’s hard to miss Templo Mayor, the once sacred heart of the Aztecs that lies beneath the modern capital. Its major excavation began in 1978, and over the years, archeologists have uncovered vast layers of this long-lost civilization, which today sit quite incongruously amidst modern colonial buildings such as the mammoth Metropolitan Cathedral and the National Palace.
If you have time for a day trip away from the city and are prepared to leave in the wee hours of the morning, visit the incredible ancient ruins of ‘Tenochtitlan’. But, if getting up early doesn’t appeal, then head to the National Museum of Anthropology and be prepared to spend hours meandering through this indoor and outdoor display. Another iconic tourist site is the Frida Kahlo Museum in Coyoacán. It’s a whimsical haven filled with vibrant murals and quirky artifacts that bring the artist’s fiery spirit to life.
Take an Uber (they are excellent and cheap in Mexico City) to trendy Roma Norte with its fantastic restaurants, street art, and stunning parks such as Parque Mexico, where dogs and their handlers hang out. Head to Condesa for its cool vibe and art deco buildings, or trash your credit card on luxury shopping in the upscale area of Polanco. The gorgeous area of San Ángel is postcard-perfect, with its colonial mansions, cobblestone streets, and iconic Sunday art market (Bazar del Sábado). Find the history buff within at the famous ancient canals of Xochimilco, where you can jump on board one of the colorful flat-bottomed boats.
Once the sun goes down, end your day at the historic Zócalo, the city’s grand square, and watch magical buildings light up to create a fairy-tale vision of this dynamic but somewhat crazy city. This is when the streets resonate with the sounds of mariachi bands serenading you on the streets, and when nightclubs thrum to the sounds of salsa.
Mexico City will not disappoint, and the locals are friendly.
Gail Palethorpe, a self proclaimed Australian gypsy, is a freelance writer, photographer and eternal traveller. Check out her website Gail Palethorpe Photography and her Shutterstock profile.
