It’s been nearly a week since I left little old London behind for monsoon season in Central America and just in case anyone is still wondering if I made it, I can hereby confirm that I did! I am currently in Oaxaca, mentally building up Mexico’s chances in this afternoon’s match (¡Viva México!) but feel that Mexico City deserves a bit of a mention. Because, initially, I saw it as just a starting point but actually, I really quite liked it. As big cities goes, it doesn’t feel that big and it’s a cool mix of old and new and quirky/bohemian trendiness.

I arrived in the midst of a thunderstorm and left under a clear sky at midnight 4 days later. I think the monsoon rain took a temporary break because on day 2, at Templo Mayor, I asked the rain god (Tlaloc) to cut me (and my impractical footwear) some slack. Not out loud, I should point out (no need to draw additional attention to myself by talking to myself), but it seemed worth it as I hoped not to be repeating this kind of occurrence too often during my time in Mexico:

After getting some practicalities sorted with the help of google on my first day (you know that thing about photocopying your passport before you travel? Yeah, I forgot to do that), I went exploring. On foot. With only the guidebook map to guide me. It could have gone so wrong but it (barely) didn’t! On day 2, though, it did a little bit when I spent 30min. walking exactly the opposite direction I should have done to get back to the hostel from the Museo Nacional de Antropologia. But hey, in the grand scheme of things, what’s an hour lost?

My favorite day in D.F. was Friday – for several reasons, the first of which was Mexico vs. Cameroon. Imagine 2000 Mexican football fans and some fascinated/curious tourists, standing on the city’s main plaza (Zócalo) in front of 3 massive screens erected in front of the cathedral for just the purpose of watching the World Cup, at 11am in 28 degrees heat. Then add Mexican TV commentary and 2 “offside” goals in the first 30 minutes and have a guess at the kind of atmosphere we got to experience. Pictures don’t do it justice.

From there, I went to Coyoacán, the oldest part of Mexico City, to visit Casa Azul, Frida Kahlo’s house which is partly preserved as lived in by herself and Diego Rivera. I had been forewarned not to expect to see much of her art but I actually liked that the focus was more on her influences and interests and the photographs of her, with Rivera and friends and the portraits by Nickolas Muray, gave much more of an insight into her as a person and as an artist than I was expecting. The highlight for me was the temporary exhibition, in collaboration with Vogue México, of her clothes. After her death, Rivera (and later the patron of their estate), at her request, kept her clothing and medical corsets hidden and they were apparently only uncovered in a room in their house in 2004. The exhibit showed outfits as she wore them, alongside photographs and current designers’ use of her style (Tisci for Givenchy Couture, Rei Kawakubo for Comme Des Garçons and Jean Paul Gaultier were specifically shown) and gave some really interesting explanations of why she dressed as she did. It was worthy of London exhibition so, LCF girls, if it ever does come to London, do go see it!

Coyoacán town was absolutely beautiful, full of colour and life, and later gave me a chance to test out my preferred method of public transportation; the bus! I learned that buses are cheap, will take up two of the three lanes of traffic (for no legitimate reason), have no set stops so you need to yell out where you want to get off and the driver will slow down (note; not completely stop) to let you off. A great day was has all round.

The main thing I have learned in Mexico City, though, is: lime and salt or chili go on everything. Want a cup of mango? No problem, they’ll add all three.

I’ve admittedly become a big fan of 15 pesos fruit in a cup but my favorite culinary choice so far is torta (thank you Nath and Joel for the introduction!) – a giant of a sandwich sold out of small vans on the street. It will leave you full for a long time post-consumption.

Overall, I had 4 great days which were a brilliant introduction to many things Mexican and a few things traveller-lifestyle. And I’m excited that it’s only the beginning of both!

Today I’m listening to: Lykke Li – ‘I Follow Rivers’