Back to the Future
Day: 17
Our visit to Mexico City has been dominated by ruins, museums and stories of the great ancient past. Today on our last day we are out to discover the new, hip and trend setting Mexico City. Staying in the historic centre is great for being at the centre of the tourist sites. At night its mostly quiet save for a few happening pedestrian streets and some new live music venues in restored colonial buildings.
First during the day we checked out the Polanco neighbourhood. A beautiful area with 1930’s California style architecture. I really felt like we could be in L.A. at times. Gucci, Cartier, Channel, etc. They were all here along the palm lined streets with BMW’s, Hummers and Jaguars parked out front. Needless to say we couldn’t afford anything and if you know either one of us its far from being our scene. What a great contrast from the rest of the city, Polanco is beyond 1st world.
Late afternoon we moved on to another neighbourhood which sounded more like our thing. Condessa is a fairly trendy bohemian area with tree filled esplanades, side walk cafes and great bars. The whole area has a youthful, laid back vibe. The area is mainly young upper middle class Mexicans. Although I’m not sure I would exactly say the area is gentrified. There has always been a strong arts scene here and it’s quite evident there still is.
We find a side walk cafe and order a cafe americano and an espresso cortado. We people watched and just chilled out on the shady sidewalk. This was the life, I could see myself easily living here. Becoming a travel writer, debating politics and talking travel over my cafe americano. Right, so back to reality. As the sunset we walked across the street to a happening seafood restaurant/bar. Sort of like a tapas place. Great food, good contemporary Mexican music and numerous cerveza Leon. A brilliant end to our last day in Mexico City.
In the morning we catch a bus south to Oaxaca, its time to move on but I could easily spend much more time here. Sure I’ve never seen pollution like this or such a packed metro or such a huge police presence. For all its negatives this is a fabulous city and it is much more livable than I ever thought it would be. I can’t wait to return someday.
Tags: Mexico, mexico city
Michael Coroneos
hey M&J, hope the journey is going well. You just missed half a foot of snow. Yay!nrnrnrI found this quote and thought you’d both appreciate it:nrnr======nrnrnr“…To be truly challenging, a voyage, like a life, must rest on a firm foundation of financial unrest. Otherwise, you are doomed to a routine traverse, the kind known to yachtsmen who play with their boats at sea… cruising, it is called. Voyaging belongs to seamen, and to the wanderers of the world who cannot, or will not, fit in. If you are contemplating a voyage and you have the means, abandon the venture until your fortunes change. Only then will you know what the sea is all about.nrnr“I’ve always wanted to sail to the South Seas, but can’t afford it.” What these men can’t afford is not to go. They are enmeshed in the cancerous discipline of “security.” And in the worship of security we fling our lives beneath the wheels of routine—and before we know it our lives are gone.nrnrWhat does a man need—really need? A few pounds of food each day, heat and shelter, six feet to lie down in—and some form of working activity that will yield a sense of accomplishment. That’s all—in the material sense. And we know it. But we are brainwashed by our economic system until we end up in a tomb beneath a pyramid of time payments, mortgages, preposterous gadgetry, playthings that divert our attention from the sheer idiocy of the charade.nrnrThe years thunder by. The dreams of youth grow dim where they lie caked in dust on the shelves of patience. Before we know it the tomb is sealed.nrnrWhere, then lies the answer? In choice. Which shall it be: bankruptcy of purse or bankruptcy of life?…”nrnr- from Wanderer by Sterling Haydennr======
Well I think I would have liked Polanco!!! Your travels are starting to be my style (sort of)… xoxo