Mexico City

MEXICO CITY, MEXICO :: The company sent me and a coworker to Mexico City for a few days. It was a great trip! We successfully deployed a major account, the clients were thrilled, and we were able to explore a tiny part of the world’s second largest city.

Thousands of people were protesting the recent presidential election by camping on the major avenues and squares in the Centro Historico. Because of this, the airport taxi could not bring us to the door of our hotel. We had to walk with our bags a couple blocks through Alameda Park. Despite this, we never felt threatened or in danger during our stay. Frankly, I was impressed by the protestors’ democratic spirit, and everyone seemed very friendly and peaceful. Women and acquaintances of the opposite sex in Mexico City are greeted with a hug and kiss on the cheeks, and we saw many, many couples cuddling everywhere we went.

Several times we were offered services without asking, such as the bag handler that grabbed our bags just as we stepped out of customs. Turns out he worked for a legitimate taxi company, but an introduction would have been nice. A kind old man duped me into conversation and then started polishing my shoe without asking. I had to firmly tell him to stop and wipe off the mess. Nearly everyone around a historic building is a tour guide, willing to tell you something for a few pesos.

We only saw a handful of tourists. Perhaps the protests frightened them away, or we just weren’t in the touristy areas. Some of the highlights from the trip: The Palace of Fine Arts, the Zócalo, the Metropolitan Cathedral, sidewalks crammed with vendors, and meals at Café de Tacuba and Parrilla Leonesa. We also happened by a beautiful museum of old spanish paintings depicting the conquistadors and the architecture of Gaudi. I don’t think I’d ever choose to return to Mexico City, but if I did, I’d enjoy the streets and squares without the protestors, and explore the other districts and the nearby ruins at Teotihuacan.