By Leslie Rice, AFT 6157-R Treasurer
I had the opportunity to visit Mexico City for a week this summer with family. I am embarrassed to admit it, but I hadn’t thought about adding this amazing city to my travel list before. I knew it was a big city, and I had overheard a few people being concerned about safety.
Well, it is a very big city. Ranked 6th in the world at about 21 million plus (Wikipedia 2020). But really it didn’t feel crowded at all. And the walking, at least where we were, was easy. We often walked to local restaurants and shops. And if we didn’t walk, Uber was convenient, safe, and everywhere.
Many members of my family like heights so one day, they all went off to explore the pyramids via hot air balloon. They loved it – flying happily through the air, landing in a field, walking about and exploring the pyramid, having lunch in a cave.
But for me Frida Kahlo’s Casa Azul was the place to explore (about a 30 minute Uber from our hotel in the Financial District). Luckily I was able to get a last minute ticket into this popular museum (word to the wise – get your tickets online early / many people were turned away at the museum).
The Uber driver got me there early, so I easily walked to a coffee shop about 4 blocks away. I enjoyed a delicious Mexican coffee, some bottled water, and a bagel sandwich. Sitting outside, I really liked watching the locals go by with their dogs. And in my mind dreaming of Frida and Diego walking by, speaking to each other of art and life.
Did I tell you about the museums? They seem to be everywhere. My favorite was the Museo de Arte Popular (Folk Art Museum). So many colorful, beautiful works of art. The explanations at museums here are often in both Spanish and English. The price to enter is very reasonable but it is hard to escape the callings of the gift shops. Beautiful embroidery, jewelry, books . . . I would also highly recommend the National Museum of Anthropology (please leave a half day or more).
And my favorite museum, Mucho Museo del Chocolate, is a must see. A great tour is provided which focuses on the history of chocolate in Mexico. You can even buy chocolate made right there at the end of the tour.
I could go on and on about their embroidery, more museums, and the fresh and delicious meals that never end. Also the mild weather in June. And the commuting by Cablebus across the city (photo below). But I will stop here; it is your turn now to explore this truly amazing city. You will have to pay a bit for the flight but the cost of everything else is very affordable. Take a week or more to enjoy this lovely city. You too will be asking “When can I go back?”