We had in mind to make two days in the city and this would be visiting Zócalo and some of the sights, including museums around the central parts. After some googling for a brunch place to get Jonny to taste Huevos Rancheros, we took to the streets. The weather was still awesome, approx. 17-18 degrees Celsius at 9 AM, so getting out in shorts and short sleeved shirt was not a problem, especially since we knew that it go up to 26-28 degree Celsius later in the day.
We got out and walked towards the city center, we could have taken a bus or a metro but it really was not that long to walk and the possibility to see more of the city was enticing. The closer we got to the center, the more people and later on also lots of ladies wearing pink training t-shirts (which we later found out had been part of a 5 km race, the ladies, not the shirts).
On our way towards the big plaza – Zócalo – and close by the places that I had picked out for Sunday breakfast/brunch, we saw loads of beautiful buildings, parks, but also many derelict places. Along the way we felt safe enough even though we may have passed some poorer districts. We passed by Palacio de Bellas Artes towards restaurant El Mayor that have outside rooftop seating’s with a view of the old ruins of Temple Mayor. On the way there we passed by Café El Popular, both places had queues and so did a third place that I seem to have forgotten the name of. So we took a random place to get some eggs and Mexican coffee along with a dessert of churros.
Along the way we had experienced the market Mercado de San Juan, which was hectic and had too many shouting salesmen/women, also the big plaza Zócalo with the ENORMOUS Mexican flag, checked out the temple ruins along with the nearby church that was built of the stones of the ancient indian buildings (including the temple). After our breakfast we went to Palacio de Bellas Artes and since it was a Sunday it was free entrance.
We stayed a while in the park Alameda Central checking out all tourists and natives. Then we continued our cultural trip by visiting the Laboratorio Arte Alameda and the Diego Riveria Mural Museum where we go to listen to a Spanish (or Mexican) opera singer accompanied by a piano player. After a short pit stop with cervezas and guacamole we got on the metro towards the park Bosque de Chapultepec.
This part was supposed to be visited on the second city day, but we were out of ideas and Jonny wanted to use the third day to visit Xochimilco. When getting off the train and walking up to the park, we were greeted by loads of people, it seemed that Sundays were real popular day to visit the park for the Mexico City population. There were performers and people but also so many stall selling food, candy and unnecessary stuff for children (and adults). Since I wanted to visit Castilla de Chapultepec, we took the long but easy walkway up the hill. Even though all signs and all information was in Spanish, it was still really nice to experience this castle and all the historic memorabilia that was gathered there. Then the actual building and the view from the top of the hill down on the city of Mexico, was also really nice.
We stayed for approx. 1.5 hours until closure time at 5 PM, then we went down the easy walkway slope, leading to the two lakes that had been visible from the castle. Here we enjoyed the sights of clown performers and all the natives just enjoying their free Sunday.
Later on we walked down one of the big roads (that lead to/from the park) without a specific goal in mind. Some time later we stopped to rest our feet (and Jonny to change into his shoes) – both of us had in some way small damages on our feet after having walked for two days. There we decided to go to a taqueria that I had marked as a want to. On the way close to a very pretty roundabout, we stopped at a bar for margaritas. The bar La Cerveceria de Barrio – Cibeles, was more of a posh place even if it did not look it, but with the native visitors and prices it could be deducted.
Not far from the bar was the taqueria El Faraón, where they served tacos with meat only (and cheese as an option) and the mandatory salsas. The tacos were really good since the meats were superb and vegetables were not needed. Both me and Jonny did make a small mistake, one with one salsa, the other with another salsa, but the salsas were good, if hot.
It was still time before heading back, so I convinced Jonny to take a small walk to a bar, La Botica, that specialized in Mezcal. This was in the middle of a dark Sunday evening in a fairly quiet Mexico City, still we felt very secure walking (not fully sober) about the different neighborhoods. The bar was just a small hole in the wall, but with seats outside. The menu was handwritten on cardboard and then taped to keep dry. I guess there was about 40+ different Mezcals on the menu. We stayed for a few and then moved a few bars down the street for a last cerveza before getting an Über to the hotel.
