My Long Weekend in Mexico City
Bursting with culture and history, Mexico City is home to some 20 million people, and is also known for having amazing art and gastronomic scenes, as well as being an under-the-radar shopping destination.
Last week I went on my first official vacation since, *gestures vaguely*. I’ve been wanting to go to visit the capital since forever, but ultimately kept putting it off due to a combination of laziness and fear. Yes, you read that right, I was scared to go to Mexico City by myself. Let’s be honest, the country doesn’t have the best P.R. Mention moving here to anyone and watch as you’re met with wide-eyed warnings about the cartel and all the other dangers that await you once stepping out of the airport. I’m a petite lil thang, so it was easy for me to drink a bit of the Kool-Aid.
Alas, I came to my senses, remembered I’m from Cleveland, and booked a plane ticket. Boy, am I glad I did. My weekend was chill, I’m a slow traveler so I don’t like to pack a bunch of stuff in. Instead, I choose one or two activities to do each day, making sure to allow plenty of time to just roam the neighborhood and maybe even get a bit lost.
First on the agenda was a trip to the Frida Kahlo Museum. OMG, if you’re an art lover and have never visited Mexico, you’re missing out boo. Much of the house appears to be still intact the way it was back when Frida and her family walked the halls. Many of her artifacts remain, from her wheelchair and painting supplies, original pieces of her wardrobe, her paintings & sculptures, and even photos taken by her photographer father. It’s an amazing glimpse into the Mexico of yesterday.
I booked my ticket online and for an 11am slot. Admission to the Museo de Frida Kahlo also guarantees entry to her husband’s house. So, I guess you can go check that out too.
I ended up going to a coffeeshop to do some work. Located in Roma Norte, Cardinal is a quant, open air café with strong, flavorful coffee. I sat outside to people and dog watch while catching a breeze.
On my second to last day in the city, I booked an Airbnb experience for a photoshoot in the downtown Centro area. My photographer Paulina really helped me feel comfortable in front of the camera and has a great eye, and as a result, we got some amazing shots.
Being the foodie and wannabe vegan that I am, naturally I had to see what Mexico City had to offer in way of meatless fare. La Pitahaya Vegana is a vegan restaurant known for fresh ingredients, innovative recipes, and bright-pink tortillas. I got the taco trio along with an azucar-free pink lemonade.
The food was expertly made, with bright, bold flavors, and pink tortillas that held their own against ingredients like coconut-cheez, vegan pastor and pineapple.
Y’all, Ciudad de Mexico owes me nothing, you hear me? Nothing.
