Month: July 2019

Moving Through Mexico

Posted on by Schalonda

 

Life
on
the
move:
A New Normal

Getting Uncomfortable

I began this adventure with a month in Mexico City but that’s not really traveling, is it? Staying in one spot is easy and a month is plenty of time to get comfortable. Now I start moving, actually traveling and part of me would rather stay comfortable in this familiar place instead of moving toward the unknown.

an
oppor
tunity
to feel
dis
comfort every
day…
price
less

 

Puerto escondido

8:30 am, Thursday, July 18, 2019
I took an Uber to Mexico City International Airport and boarded a flight to Puerto Escondido. This was the departure city for a tour I missed because I waited too long to book it. I decided to go there anyway, relax on a warm beach for a few days and follow the tour route on my own.

7 am, Thursday, July 18, 2019
I arrive in Puerto Escondido and grossly overpay for a taxi that drops me at my very first hostel by 11:30. Too early for check-in, I shed my suitcase, grab a map from reception then i’m off to check out the neighborhood. Wearing a backpack filled with all my electronic devices, a comfy skort and hiking shoes w/ socks, I head for the closest beach. After descending thousands of steps, I found myself at a packed beach with no place to take off my shoes. In less than 5 minutes, waves rush up and soak my feet. No worries though, it actually feels good having the water cool me off a bit.

Shortly after I find a spot to remove my shoes and enjoy sand between my toes, a wave comes and snatches a shoe while my back is turned. I spot it floating. Mouth wide, I watch for a minute or two before shoving my backpack in the bushes and jumping in after it. I manage to get it back but cut my foot real good in the process. I don’t care that i’m soaked. Puerto Escondido was so hot, I figure i’ll be dry by the time I make it back to hostel. The bloody foot scares me though…

I was pissy about the overwhelming heat, my foot wound and that overpriced cab ride for my first 2 days in PE. On day 3, I decide to let it go and enjoy. I have an awesome bike ride, a great day at the beach, tasty fish tacos and happy hour at the hostel.

My final day, I do my very best to avoid sweating, so I work on my blog until it’s time to catch my bus to Oaxaca.

oaxaca

7 am, Monday, July 22, 2019
The 9 hour ADO bus ride sucks. Even though the seats recline, the bus is cold, winding roads toss you around ALL night and it’s impossible to get comfortable. That being said, you can’t beat the price.

I drop my bag at the hostel after an affordable ten minute cab ride and look for a coffee shop with Wifi thats open at 7:3o am. I get lucky and find one around the block.

7:30 am, Monday, July 22, 2019
I have to say, Oaxaca is beautiful when she sleeps. The empty streets would have made for gorgeous photos but I don’t feel like snapping picts. I decide to appreciate everything I see and keep it as a memory. I consider waking up early for a photo shoot but it never happens.
At the coffee shop I make plans to visit the Monte Albán archaeological site.

With the weather finally on my side, I enjoy perfect temperatures while hiking the archaeological ruins. Patches of clear blue sky and fluffy white clouds make the perfect backdrop for picts of the ancient pyramids.

The hours spent wondering the Archaeological site and exploring the neighborhood take a toll on my wounded foot. Day 2 is a rest, write, research and plan day. Back on both feet, I spend a lot of day 3 at the Culture Museum and catch the Temple of Santo Domingo and the Ethnobotanical Garden as well.

Day 4 is a jam packed day trip with six stops.

  1. Mitla archaeological site
  2. Hierve el Agua petrified waterfalls
  3. Buffet lunch
  4. Mezcal making & tasting at El Rey de Matatlan
  5. Traditional weaving presentation in Teotitlan
  6. Tule, home of 2,000 yr old widest tree ing the world

I spend My final day snapping picts and hunting art galleries before i’m back on the ADO for the 18 hour ride to San Cristobal.

Hasta Luego Mexico City…

Posted on by Schalonda

 

My Last Few stops

I spent most of my final week in Mexico City preparing to head south. However, I did make time to visit Coyoacán, Museo Soumaya and Biblioteca Vasconcelos and was not disappointed.

Coyoacán

Coyoacán is home to Museo Casa Azul, Frida Kahlo’s house turned museum. I was more interested in the neighborhood than the museum but hung around to snap some pictures of the famous blue house and the long line. Not ready to go home, I continued roaming the neighborhood & main plaza. Known for its authentic cuisine, markets and mezcal, the church of San Juan Bautista and the Watercolor Museum are also worth checking out.

It’s rainy season in Mexico City from May/Jun – Oct/Nov, so I wasn’t surprised when it started raining. After an hour or two of doodling at a coffee shop, I headed for what turned out to be a dazzling discovery. Viveros de Coyoacán is a combination tree nursery and public park. It’s also the closest i’ve come to hiking in the rain since I left California. Misty air, tall trees, and the smell of wet earth was the perfect way to end my visit.

 

Museo Soumaya

My next outing brought me to the Museo Soumaya. Made up of two buildings, Plaza Carso and Plaza Loreto, this place requires all day. The line for Plaza Loreto reminded me of Magic Mountain so I chose Plaza Carso, the pretty building with the short line.

Apparently, Plaza Loreto is 6 levels with the top level housing the largest Rodin exhibit outside of France. I did not know this and spent all my time on level 2, captivated by the “Asia in Ivory” exhibit. I did, however, manage to catch “The Thinker” and “The Gates of Hell” in the lobby.

 

Biblioteca Vasconcelos

Similar to Museo Soumaya, my final adventure in Mexico City was an architectural delight. Biblioteca Vasconcelos is a MUST if you’re into amazingly beautiful things or buildings. This unique library has thousands of books suspended from the ceiling and smoked glass floors allowing you to see feet walking above you. Theres also  garden out back and window seats on the top floors offering unique city views. Another glorious way to spend my day.

 

Week 3 Navigating Mexico City

Posted on by Schalonda

Art In CDMX

Getting to Know the city. 

Exploring inside

THE SIGHTS

My third week in Mexico City was the busiest. Museums, the Zoo, a Zocalo food tour and a trip to the UNAM Central Library.

Museums

You can’t come to Mexico City and skip the Museums, you’re not allowed! There are so many in the city, no matter where you stay, there’s at least one conveniently close.

Modern Art

I forget where I was going but I remember hearing thunder rumbling, so I changed plans and headed to The Museum of Modern Art. Turned out to be an excellent decision. I spent my time enjoying great art instead of getting drenched in a downpour. By the time I got to the outdoor sculpture garden, the heavy rain had turned to a light sprinkle.

Anthropology

The National Museum of Anthropology is a beast! It’s ginormous and packed with exhibits and artifacts from Mexico’s pre-Columbian heritage. Mayan, Aztec, Toltec, Teotihuacan and more. 

What set this museum apart from Chapultepec Castle or the MOMA is simple, English.
Every exhibit has an intro/description in both English and Spanish. Being able to add context to what you’re seeing makes all the difference in the world.

This is a must see if love museums. Set aside a minimum of 4 hours if you want to see everything.

Modern Art

 

Anthropology

 

Food in CDMX

Getting a feel for flavor.

Exploring  outside  

The Zoo

The Chapultepec Zoo is free but the bathrooms cost $5 pesos. I paid $60 pesos to see the insect house & butterfly exhibit.

If you’re exploring the park, check out the free zoo. If you miss it, you’ll be fine.

Metro Universidad

I love the chaotic maze and stuffy heat that is the Mexico City subway, it’s priceless! You just can’t beat the speed, reliability or cost of $5 pesos a ride, which includes all your transfers. It was the long subway ride that got me excited to visit The Central Library at UNAM (National Autonomous University of Mexico). I was so let down when I arrived and the library was closed, most campus entrances & exits too.

Tasty Bites

The most worth while and enlightening experience of my visit to date, has been taking the Tasty Bites food tour.

 

Yes, it was fun sipping on pulque and admiring street art in the historic Zocalo district, but the best part was chatting with our guide and the Australian and German travelers I met on the tour.

Photo Extras

While I was in the Zocalo neighborhood, I snapped a few pics of the Metropolitan Cathedral, Palacio de Bellas Artes and some street art on the famed Calle Regina.

Pulqueria

pulque 

giraffe  

wolf pups 

Churro

Ceviche Tostada

University

Mezcal

Zocalo

Week Two in Mexico City

Posted on by Schalonda

A Gorgeous
Day Trip

I found myself working more and exploring less during my second week in Mexico City, but I still manage to fit in a lovely day trip to Cuernavaca and Taxco.

 

Cuernavaca

The City of Eternal Spring

Roughly 55 miles south of Mexico City is the city of Cuernavaca. Known for its great weather, rich history and abundance of flowering plants.

My visit here wasn’t long, but plenty of time to enjoy the sun and take in some of the history.

 

Taxco

Pueblo Magico

50 miles southwest of Cuernavaca is the “magic town” of Taxco. A true charmer that should not be missed!

Know for its silver and cobblestone streets, this hilltop village could very easily steel your heart. 

I loved Taxco. The winding narrow cobblestone roads, the views, the shops, the art & architecture. It would have been a joy to stay and explore. Maybe take one of those VW Beetle taxis to a nearby cave or waterfall, visit the old silver mine or just catch a glimpse of the city at night from a rooftop terrace.

If you find yourself in Acapulco or Mexico City, you will not regret a day trip to Taxco.