Mexico City

I started and ended my 3 weeks of Mexican holiday in Mexico City (Ciudad de México or DF). This capital of Mexico is located in the Valley of Mexico, a large valley at the center of Mexico at an altitude of 2,240 meters. The Greater Mexico City population is about 25 million people, making it the largest metropolitan area of the western hemisphere.

On the first day I walked from Zona Rosa (where I was staying) along the Paseo de la Reforma (the elegant and immense main avenue with the icon of the golden Angel of Independence) to the Historic Center. Along the way I went to the 44th floor observation deck of the LatinoAmericana tower to have an overview on the endless city.

Next day I took a metro and a bus to the ancient city of Teotihuacan, 50 kilometers north from Mexico City. On the third day I wandered the neighborhoods of Condesa and Colonia Roma before I visited the Museo Nacional de Historia in the Castle of Chapultepec. This castle is on a hill in the beautiful Chapultepec Park. In the evening I went to Arena Mexico where I witnessed some Lucha Libre. This Mexican style of wresting show is a popular sport throughout the country and to me it was very entertaining.

When I returned from the Oaxacan Coast I had one more day to spend in Mexico City. I decided to go back to the Historic Center to see some of the murals in the Palacio de Bellas Artes. I was surprised to see an ice-skating rink in front of the Cathedral on the main square (Zócalo). Together with the Christmas tree it got me into the Christmas vibe before returning home.