Mexico City: Dust, Dreams, and a Whole Lotta Churros
okay, so. mexico city. where do i even begin? i’m still finding bits of street corn stuck in my hair, honestly. it’s been… a trip. a beautiful, chaotic, slightly overwhelming trip. i landed, bleary-eyed, after what felt like three consecutive days of airports and questionable airplane food, and immediately got smacked in the face with the sheer scale of this place. it’s enormous. like, swallows-entire-cities-for-breakfast enormous.
I’m operating on fumes and lukewarm coffee right now, which is probably why I’m writing this at 3 AM, but i just checked and it’s hovering around 18 degrees celsius there right now, with a feels-like of 17. the humidity is surprisingly low, which is a win. i’m not a fan of feeling like a damp towel.
I’ve been crashing in a tiny Airbnb in Roma Norte - seriously, the shower is basically a glorified spray nozzle, but the location is chef’s kiss. It’s walkable to everything, which is crucial when you’re trying to soak up as much of a city as possible. if you get bored, Puebla and Cuernavaca are just a short drive away.
Let's talk food. oh god, the food. I’ve eaten my weight in tacos al pastor. I’m pretty sure I’ve developed a mild addiction to churros dipped in chocolate. I stumbled upon this amazing little market - Mercado Medellín - and just wandered around, sampling everything. Seriously, go. It’s a sensory overload in the best possible way. Check out their Yelp page: https://www.yelp.com/biz/mercado-medellin-mexico-city.
I overheard some drunk tourists arguing about whether El Moro is really the best churrería in the city. Someone insisted that Churrería El Güero is the superior choice. I’m not taking sides. They’re both fantastic. Just… eat churros.
“A local warned me about the traffic. Said it’s ‘a special kind of chaos.’ He wasn’t kidding.”
I spent a day wandering around Coyoacán, which felt like stepping into a different world. All cobblestone streets and colorful houses. Frida Kahlo’s Casa Azul is there, of course - a must-see, even if you’re not a huge art person. I booked my tickets in advance, which I highly recommend. You can find more info on TripAdvisor: https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g150805-d150733-Reviews-Museo_Frida_Kahlo-Coyoacan_Mexico_City.html.
I’m trying to be somewhat organized, so here’s a (very) rough list of things I’ve learned:
Wear comfortable shoes. Seriously. You’ll be doing a lot of walking.
*Learn a few basic Spanish phrases. It goes a long way.
*Be aware of your surroundings. Pickpocketing is a thing, apparently. Someone told me that you should always keep your bag in front of you on the metro.
*Embrace the chaos. Mexico City is not a place for rigid itineraries. Just go with the flow.
*Drink bottled water. Don’t even think about drinking tap water.
*Haggle (respectfully) at the markets. It’s expected.
*Try the street food. But be discerning. Look for places that are busy with locals.
*Don’t be afraid to get lost.* Some of my best discoveries have been accidental.
I’m also trying to find some cool street art. I’ve heard there’s a ton in Roma and Condesa. I’ve been checking out this local art board for leads: https://www.facebook.com/groups/mexicocitystreetart/.
Honestly, it’s a city that gets under your skin. It’s loud, it’s crowded, it’s a little bit gritty, but it’s also vibrant, welcoming, and full of life. I’m already planning my return trip. Maybe next time I’ll actually get some sleep.
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