Bienvenido to Mexico City
by Rachel
June 20, 2018
Today started at Guanajuato. (And if you are Sarah Ann, it started at 3:30 am because that is when she woke up.) We ate breakfast at the market and then wandered around some more. Then we packed up all our stuff and Dad and I went to buy some food for the bus. We bought gorditas de nata, which is this food that I have become obsessed with. They are these little things that are just like mini cinnamon pancakes. They are a dollar for five of them and they are still hot when you buy them. Since I have not been eating goldfish while in Mexico (my normal food obsession), I had to find some new food to fall in love with. We were at the bus station by noon and got on our 5 hour bus ride to Mexico City.
Our trip is going so fast, and now we are already on our last stop in Mexico - Mexico City. So let me start by talking a little bit about Mexico City, so you can appreciate what an amazing city it is.
First off, Mexico City is one of the largest cities in the world. Depending on how you count city size depends on what it is ranked exactly, but basically it is huge. Most of the other largest cities are in Asia. Mexico City is also significantly larger than any other city in Mexico. (It has close to 9 million people and the next city has under 2 million.) People here often just called it "Mexico" instead of Mexico City when talking about it. When we asked people in other cities in Mexico what they thought of Mexico City, they all said it was an amazing place to visit but they didn't want to live there because there was too much traffic!
Now for a brief (and interesting) history lesson. Mexico City has been the home to several different civilizations throughout time. One is the Teotihuacan. We will visit some of those ruins on Monday. They were a civilization that was around in the 5th and 6th centuries. They eventually fell to internal fighting. Hundreds of years later, the Aztec empire came along. (The Mayans lived in another part of Mexico - not here.) They were a huge and powerful empire. However, lots of other native tribes in the area disliked them. When the Spaniards came along, they found allies with the Aztecs enemies. The Aztecs also believed for a while that the Spaniards were gods which led them to completely trust them. Eventually the Aztecs were defeated and the Spaniards build their empire right on top of where the Aztecs had been. Then in 1810 there was the Mexican fight for independence that lasted 11 years. Mexico City was then left the capital of Mexico. One hundred years later, Mexico had a lot of other fighting with the Mexican Revolution.
This is of course a very basic and watered down version of history. It is also me doing my best to explain the history of a country even as I am still learning it.
I also wanted to comment on something else. One thing that everyone wants to know is: Is Mexico safe? The US issues travel safety ratings for the whole world, including each state in Mexico. San Luis Potosi is rated 3 out 4 with 3 being "reconsider travel." Mexico City is rated 2 which is "exercise caution." (Lots of Western European countries are rated 2 also). A 3 rating is enough to make about anyone nervous. I'm not an expert because I've only been here two weeks - but here's what I think. We have felt very comfortable and safe here. We haven't had a single issue or problem. The great majority of people here are wonderful and trustworthy of course. But that doesn't mean safety isn't an issue. When I talk to people here about what they like most and dislike most about living in Mexico, people often mention safety concerns as what they dislike most. As we travel, we listen to what the local people say about where to go or not go and what to do or not do. It reminds me of going to Chicago or New Orleans. They are amazing cities and I'm glad I've visited them. I don't feel scared when I'm there. But that doesn't mean that safety isn't an issue in those cities either. You should still pay attention and make smart choices. I'm really glad we decided to come because Mexico is an amazing place.
So we made it to Mexico City and ended up eating at a really fancy restaurant for dinner. Christian was bewildered when they gave him more than one fork (one for salad and one for the main course). I can't wait to begin exploring this incredible city!
June 20, 2018
Today started at Guanajuato. (And if you are Sarah Ann, it started at 3:30 am because that is when she woke up.) We ate breakfast at the market and then wandered around some more. Then we packed up all our stuff and Dad and I went to buy some food for the bus. We bought gorditas de nata, which is this food that I have become obsessed with. They are these little things that are just like mini cinnamon pancakes. They are a dollar for five of them and they are still hot when you buy them. Since I have not been eating goldfish while in Mexico (my normal food obsession), I had to find some new food to fall in love with. We were at the bus station by noon and got on our 5 hour bus ride to Mexico City.
saying goodbye to Guanajuato
Our trip is going so fast, and now we are already on our last stop in Mexico - Mexico City. So let me start by talking a little bit about Mexico City, so you can appreciate what an amazing city it is.
our first glance of Mexico City outskirts through the bus window. Lots of colorful houses on the hill!
First off, Mexico City is one of the largest cities in the world. Depending on how you count city size depends on what it is ranked exactly, but basically it is huge. Most of the other largest cities are in Asia. Mexico City is also significantly larger than any other city in Mexico. (It has close to 9 million people and the next city has under 2 million.) People here often just called it "Mexico" instead of Mexico City when talking about it. When we asked people in other cities in Mexico what they thought of Mexico City, they all said it was an amazing place to visit but they didn't want to live there because there was too much traffic!
Now for a brief (and interesting) history lesson. Mexico City has been the home to several different civilizations throughout time. One is the Teotihuacan. We will visit some of those ruins on Monday. They were a civilization that was around in the 5th and 6th centuries. They eventually fell to internal fighting. Hundreds of years later, the Aztec empire came along. (The Mayans lived in another part of Mexico - not here.) They were a huge and powerful empire. However, lots of other native tribes in the area disliked them. When the Spaniards came along, they found allies with the Aztecs enemies. The Aztecs also believed for a while that the Spaniards were gods which led them to completely trust them. Eventually the Aztecs were defeated and the Spaniards build their empire right on top of where the Aztecs had been. Then in 1810 there was the Mexican fight for independence that lasted 11 years. Mexico City was then left the capital of Mexico. One hundred years later, Mexico had a lot of other fighting with the Mexican Revolution.
This is of course a very basic and watered down version of history. It is also me doing my best to explain the history of a country even as I am still learning it.
I also wanted to comment on something else. One thing that everyone wants to know is: Is Mexico safe? The US issues travel safety ratings for the whole world, including each state in Mexico. San Luis Potosi is rated 3 out 4 with 3 being "reconsider travel." Mexico City is rated 2 which is "exercise caution." (Lots of Western European countries are rated 2 also). A 3 rating is enough to make about anyone nervous. I'm not an expert because I've only been here two weeks - but here's what I think. We have felt very comfortable and safe here. We haven't had a single issue or problem. The great majority of people here are wonderful and trustworthy of course. But that doesn't mean safety isn't an issue. When I talk to people here about what they like most and dislike most about living in Mexico, people often mention safety concerns as what they dislike most. As we travel, we listen to what the local people say about where to go or not go and what to do or not do. It reminds me of going to Chicago or New Orleans. They are amazing cities and I'm glad I've visited them. I don't feel scared when I'm there. But that doesn't mean that safety isn't an issue in those cities either. You should still pay attention and make smart choices. I'm really glad we decided to come because Mexico is an amazing place.
eating dinner in the Condensa neighborhood near out apartment in Mexico City
So we made it to Mexico City and ended up eating at a really fancy restaurant for dinner. Christian was bewildered when they gave him more than one fork (one for salad and one for the main course). I can't wait to begin exploring this incredible city!
Very interesting, Rachel! Thank you for the interesting history lesson, telling us about safety and your new food obsession. I had no idea colorful houses were in so many Mexican cities. Have colorful houses been in every Mexican city? Love, Grandma Huber
ReplyDeleteThose gorditas sound loke a delicious alternative to goldfish crackers! Enjoy Mexico City!
ReplyDelete