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Mexico City

LostInSpace

I'm going to Mexico City and Oaxaca for about 2 1/2 weeks. Looking for general advice, places to go, and things to see. I've done some research (I know to go see the Barragan house for instance) but I'm interersted in the specific Archinect viewpoint. Thanks.

 
Aug 10, 06 2:32 pm
chupacabra

take a walk on calle reforma from parque chapultapec (visit museo tamayo while there) to the Zocolo. It is a great walk in a wonderful city, enjoy.

Aug 10, 06 2:35 pm  · 
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hyperbody

I've never been to Mexico but I was doing some research on parks and I came across this:

http://www.pps.org/info/newsletter/september2004/september2004_best_worst

Aug 10, 06 2:36 pm  · 
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LostInSpace

Alright, Plaza Hidalgo looks wonderful. Nice photos jasoncross, and I'll take that walk. I'm looking forwadr to the trip. I believe Mexico City will be a pretty intense experience.

Aug 10, 06 3:53 pm  · 
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LostInSpace

Meant to say thanks as well.

Aug 10, 06 3:54 pm  · 
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MADianito

yeah Tamayo, also go to the south part of the city, avenida revolucion corner with altavista avenue u will see my favorite museum which is CARRILLO GIL MUSEUM, lovely building and the best exhibitions, if u walk up ALTAVISTA after CARRILLO GIL, u will get to Diego Rivera and Frida Khalo studio/houses, (i think i posted some pics of those houses on my schoolblog in the very early submissions) by architect Juan O'Gormann flag of the functionalist movement in Mexico in the 20's, then get more to the south to Ciudad Universitaria (Metro Ciudad Universitaria, or Metro Copilco) and watch one of the best examples of functionalist planning and buildings in Latin America, the faculty of medicine and of course the faculty of Architecture...the whole campus is worth it, and then head a little bit more south inside the campus and found Mathias Goeritz collaboration with Luis Barragan, its called the "espacio escultorico" (scultural space) and is basically a ring of monolithic pieces of concrete whith dry lava from the volcano close by which was naturally on the site.... mmhh once ur there in the south go to Xocimilco to spend a couple of hours in a "chalupa" traditional mexican boats cruising its canals (its know as the mexican venezia) while eating quesadillas and tacos with some coronas.... ok also south part (haha u can tell im a southern guy in mexico city) u will find the nieghborhood of Coyoacan just hang out in the center of it and be sure to have a beer at the Hijo del Cuervo bar, and also dont forget to eat quesadillas at the food market of Coyoacan... lets see what else??, well if u have a car or ride is a completely different story, there's other places inside the city i could recomend to go and see (like specific buildings and/or houses)...anyways i will keep it on pedestrian level.... at the center of the city, the zocalo, stand with the cathedral in front of u, and walk to the street that goes to the right in front of it, pass "Templo Mayor" and get into the first samll little street to the left, at the end in ur right hand u will see this old franciscan church, almost sinking (cause u know mexico city was built on top of a lake so every year it sinkes a little bit more??, specially on downtown?) get inside the church to other of my favourite museums Ex-Teresa headquarters of all the performance and action art in mexico city, the building by itself is interesting since u will feel pulled to some corners by navigating thru it cause it is sinked more in some points than others (dont worry its safe)....
what else what else?? gosh in a city with 22 millions theres plenty to see and do... hopefully u get a flight landing in mexico city by night, then u better take over the window seat...amazing view when entering the city its endless...
places to hang out and be cool?? try to get to La Condesa neighborhood, cool bars cool people, good places to eat, and the latest (boring) architecture (minimalist boring lofts and stuff), also u might want to try Polanco neighborhood for a fancy time... i would rather tell u to stick to some joints of La Condesa and/or Coyoacan...
i dunno dude, lived in that city for more than 23 years, so ask anything else, if not i hope this is helpfull enough...

oh! basics: dont walk by urself at night in places u feel u should not walk by urself (its a safe city if u keep urban wise), try to get called taxis (like ask the guys on ur hotel to get one for u), and dont be afraid to try the food, god what i miss the most of Mexico City is the food, so trust me try everything....a most TACOS AL PASTOR and GRINGAS u will love those dude, and then try whatever u feel of the rest: quesadillas, enfrijoladas, tamales, pambazos, gorditas, pozole, enchiladas, chilaquiles, tortas, atole, camotes, buñuelos, chicharron, carnitas, suadero, uufff im getting hungry!!!!!

Aug 10, 06 5:41 pm  · 
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chem

also - museo dolores olmedo
Major diego and frida site with troops of peacocks and bald dogs prawling the gardens

and Xochimilco canals

Aug 11, 06 1:09 am  · 
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chupacabra

mole verde

Aug 11, 06 9:51 am  · 
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MADianito

uuufffff mole, yummy!!! arroz con mole y pollo.... uuuffff!!!

Aug 11, 06 2:06 pm  · 
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LostInSpace

So question: I'm an ignorant white north american - I've heard Mexico City can be a fairly dangerous place? What truth lies behind this?

I mean I live in NYC, and people say that about here all the time - I've never had any problem so I understand that people often just speak out of fear of the "big, scary citiy".

Looking for some truth. Thanks for all you;ve given so far MAD, Cross, Hyper, and Chem- very helpful.

Aug 11, 06 2:15 pm  · 
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chupacabra

its not bad. keep your head on, be aware. Dont take unmarked taxis, use ones with the phone number on the taxi and a running fare. Ask the approximate fare before you get in...so you have an idea. Know where you are going when you get in a taxi.

It is like any big city, but I found it to be just fine...ran into some street kids huffing paint, that was about it.

Aug 11, 06 4:22 pm  · 
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chupacabra

es bueno para hablas a poco espanol

Aug 11, 06 4:27 pm  · 
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xtbl

a mi me encanta la ciudad de mexico. i was going to throw in my 2 cents on what to see, but it looks like MADianito and others have pretty much covered it. have a great time!

Aug 11, 06 5:53 pm  · 
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MADianito

URBAN yeah well i thing JASONCROSS is right, thats the better kind of advices i could give u...and yes as also he said, is as dangerous (or not) as any large city in this world, so just keep urself (as i say it) urbanwise, im sure u will enjoy the intenCITY + complexCITY of the city that saw me grow...

(before i forget, try to go to the SONORA MARKET (Mercado de Sonora) its a market dedicated almost exclusively to sell things for witchery, as i said almost they also sell animals for pets and for witchery, u can even get a lion or dolphin in there if u know who to ask, definetly worth the tour to this place, get urself some candles and herbs for things like attract love, attract money, etc, its great!)

Aug 12, 06 5:30 am  · 
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dsc_arch

Of the three stops we made during our honeymoon, Mexico City, Huatulco and Oaxaca. I think we had the most fun in Oaxaca.

In Mexico City we stayed in the Zona Rosa. Every morning and afternoon the police stood shoulder to shoulder in full riot gear. The anthropology museum was cool.

If you are going to Oaxaca see if you can be there for the day of the dead celebration (October 31). No it is not the Grateful Dead.

As part of the trip we went to the graveyard and looked at the tome stones. I can not remember the name of the art museum in town but it was wonderful. Local food was wonderful in Oaxaca. The one thing I have been looking for is a print of at mural off of the central square.

One odd thing. At the bead and breakfast we staid at there were no windows in the room. It kind of opened up to the interior courtyard, but not really.

Other side trips are to Mitla and Monte Alban see http://www.mexperience.com/guide/archaeology/mitla.htm

Aug 12, 06 8:03 am  · 
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vado retro

more than half of the population of mexico earns less than five bucks a day. and people wonder why so many are heading to el norte.

Aug 12, 06 8:30 am  · 
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MADianito

yeah food in oaxaca is amazing, uffff i want UNA TLAYUDA!!, also try MEZCAL, an alcohol original from the region of OAXACA and stronger than tequila...this is actually the one with the WORM inside, tequila has no worm, or should not (i dunno which tequila and how old are u drinking), the original alcoholic drink with the worm is the mezcal, i dare u to drink more than 2 shots....hahaha ur gonna have fun...

Aug 12, 06 9:29 am  · 
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MADianito

in OAXACA also try to do a day trip to "HIERVE EL AGUA" (transl. the boiling water) its a "manantial" close to Oaxaca city and up in the mountains, splendid view and amazing colors in the "manantial"

Aug 12, 06 9:31 am  · 
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LostInSpace

Great! I'm really looking forward to Oaxaca and Mexico City. I'm staying at the Camino Real (by Legoretta) in Mexico City - it's a little pricy but I figure it'll be worth it and I have no plan for Oaxaca accomodations - I'm assuming I'll be able to find something when I'm there.

MAD - I've had mezcal from Mexico once before, two friends and I finished off a bottle - there are still stories told about that night, it was ridiculous.

Aug 12, 06 10:52 am  · 
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MADianito

HEHEHEHE yeah i can imagine...

Aug 13, 06 9:46 am  · 
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