"World-Class City: Vibrant, Energetic, Grand Scale" Mexico City by VdV

My mom and I arrived in Mexico City on a Thursday, following a 5-day stay in quiet, laid-back San Miguel de Allende. At first, the traffic, noise and crowds were a shock to our system, but within the first few hours in Mexico City, we knew we were in for a treat. Mexico City is pulsating with life, full of energy and vibrancy, and is chock full of historical monuments, cultural sites and events, and has never a dull moment. We thoroughly enjoyed our stay in the city; I certainly hope to return as we only seemed to scratch the surface of all this city has to offer.....

Touring around the Zocalo,the pulse of the city...

Day 1: Arrived in the city around noon. Checked into the Sheraton Centro Historic--a perfect base for exploring the city (see Hotel/Accomodations Tip.) We immediately unpacked our bags and then walked about 1.5 blocks from our hotel to catch the Turibus, the tourist bus that completes a loop around the city's major sights within 2.5 hours.

Day 2: Mom takes day tour to Teotichuacan and the Basilica (I'd seen Teotihuacan 2 years ago--an absolute MUST SEE.) I spend the day exploring the museums in the Historic Center. At night, dinner with our friend Mary at a Spanish restaurant; later her boyfriend Alex meets the three of us for a fun night hanging out at Plaza Garibaldi for mariachi music and folks dances!

Day 3: Mary picks us up and brings us back to the Basilicas in La Villa, since my mom's tour guide had shortchanged her group by whisking them through this area. Afterward, we enjoy a boat ride in Xochimilco, the Floating Gardens, and spend the rest of the evening exploring Coyoacan.

Day 4: Wake up early and have breakfast at Sanborns located in the famously beautiful Casa Azulejos, and then catch a 9:30am performance of the Ballet Folklorico de Mexico at the Palacio de Bellas Artes. We almost are unable to leave for the airport due to a huge demonstration (April 24th) in support of Lopez, the Mayor/Governor of Mexico City and top contender for the presidency of Mexico.

I would be remiss if I didn't give a special thanks to my friends Mary Carmen Porras and Alex Diaz. I met Mary and Alex on an afternoon of white-water rafting in Costa Rica. We got along really well and my Costa Rica travelmate and I ended up hanging out with Mary and Alex for an entire day, even after the rafting adventure. We bonded with them, and even though we only spent a few hours with them in Costa Rica, they surprised my Costa Rica travelmate and I by meeting us at the Mexico City airport during our 6-hour layover. Even more suprising (and thoughtful), Alex took us to Teotihuacan to see the pyramids during that short layover. They were gracious hosts and friends for life.

Therefore, when I planned my trip to Mexico with my Mom, Mary was gracious enough to be our host in her home city. Whether it indulging my Mom in her desire to go to the Basilica or the Floating Gardens of Xochimilco, or taking us out for a night of mariachi music at Plaza Garibaldi (and a dance club afterward), Mary and Alex were cheerful, friendly and just absolute lifesavers on what otherwise would have been an overwhelming city for us to decipher. Always good to have the locals' perspective and guidance.

So, muchas gracias Mary y Alex--you are truly our amigos por la vida.

• Pros:Alive with people, energy, color, history, culture, vibrancy....
• Cons:Traffic, crowds
• In a nutshell:You can really feel the energy of the city--it's great!