Distrito Federal
I love to travel. Even though I do not have the luxury of traveling as much as I would like, I have been fortunate enough to visit other countries, whether it's through work or personal means. I recently came back from a five-day trip with Eric to Mexico's capital, Mexico City (otherwise known as Distrito Federal or D.F. for short). I am not a Mexico-traveling newbie, having already visited Baja California for most of my college years, as well as spending several days in the Yucatan and Quintana Roo states last year. Mexico City, however, is a unique experience because it is a cosmopolitan area brimming with history, culture, and some of the friendliest people one will ever meet.
Our most adventurous day trip was to see the Teotihuacan pyramids, which is about an hour away (by local bus) from the city. There we climbed the Pyramid of the Sun, one of the largest structures in Mesoamerica. Rich in colonial history and culture, we visited the National Palace and Cathedral in Zocalo, and took in the sights and monuments of Zona Rosa, Condesa, Coyoacan, and Alameda Park districts. A highlight of the trip for me was visiting Frida Kahlo's "casa azul," where she lived with her husband Diego Rivera, and created some of her most provocative and personal masterpieces. Rivera's murals were also on our itinerary, from his massive homage to Mexican culture at the National Palace, to the tribute to Mexican revolutionaries and heroes at the Diego Rivera Mural Museum. Our shopping trek consisted of everything from the artisanal marketplace in Balderas, to the high-end boutiques in Polanco. Mexico City's mouthwatering culinary offerings left us extremely satisfied and wanting more, especially the late-night tacos al pastor lining up Zona Rosa's nightlife district, and the feast of traditional dishes served during dinner in Coyoacan. With all the recent news of corruption and violence happening in Mexico, I was pleasantly surprised by D.F.'s friendly locals, vendors, and police officers whom we stopped to ask for street or subway directions. All in all, D.F. was a fantastic trip and one I wouldn't soon forget.
