How I Fell In Love With Mexico City
Have you ever felt a craving for adventure? or just exploring, and going nuts?? I know it can be scary to leave and go to a new country… but it's also adventurous and a learning experience. Once you’re there you crave for a new adventure to take on.
I want to tell you my story on what made me decide to travel into Mexico City by myself for the first time, and share the experience I had…also some tips on what to check out when you're in Mexico City.
It all started when I was dating this guy (let’s call him T) that lived in Mexico City. One day he invited me to come to this music festival that happens every year called “Viva Latino”. I was excited to go out there and visit him since it was my turn to visit him since the last time he came to LA. (long distance relationships are a bitch).
A few days before I was scheduled to leave over to Mexico City our relationship was not doing so well….. In fact, he ended the relationship a few days before my trip. I had already purchased my airline ticket and instead of losing my airline ticket or paying extra to change the date, I decided to fly to MEXICO CITY!!!. My friend Samantha was heading to Viva Latino so I could meet up with her in Mexico and hang with her at the festival. I also had a friend (Carlos) that lived in Mexico City and thanks to him I was able to have a place to stay while I was in Mexico City. I was still a little nervous because I still had to find a taxi to his house and Mexico addresses are different, most taxis don’t even carry a GPS, plus, you have to make it seem like you are from there because some taxi drivers can rip you off.
Luckily Samantha and her family lived in Mexico city so her dad told me where to get a decent taxi while I was over there. The day of my flight I did not know what to expect, but I hoped everything would go okay on the way to my friend Carlos' house.
My friend Manuel had a friend that was traveling in that day who didn’t know Spanish so he asked me to help him translate at the immigration office because he was importing a baby's crib.
The immigration department in Mexico are known to charge you for anything valuable that you try to import so I always take the tags off my new clothes whenever I travel to Mexico.
Manuel offered me a ride to my friends house in return for helping his friend at the immigration office. I was relieved and happy because I didn’t have to bother with the Taxi. Once we hit the road I looked out the window and was amazed at how big
Mexico city was. Mexico City is huge and with so much traffic! I believe they beat Los Angeles traffic by a long shot.
People that live in Mexico City on certain days can't drive their car to work and are forced to use public
transportation. Everyone has to take turns using their car and public transportation.
Once I arrived at my friends house I got a little excited when I saw the inside of his apartment because it was spacious, with big windows, and a spacious balcony. The house reminded me of Spain for it's antique design.
Even though I was sad about what happened with T, I still could not let that ruin my trip, I was still going to have an awesome experience. My friend Carlos had people over and I had an old friend I hadn't seen in years come visit me as well.
From there we went to eat tacos at a nearby restaurant and oh man! DF tacos are gold!! I've
been known to eat 20 al pastor tacos jaja...my favorite! I later discovered another taco stand by my friend Carlos' house where they make piña flavored tacos, and if you add onion, and salsa verde with lemon you are in for a treat.
The next day I was getting ready for the Viva Latino festival with a mini hangover from drinking the previous night as we celebrated our safe arrival.
From that day on my adventures began. So much life, so much culture, so many parties! I can say… Mexico City knows how to party! Overall Viva Latino was like a mini Coachella but better with different types of music from different countries including more underground Spanish rock. I just fell in love with Mexico city.
The people out there are more chill despite living in a crazy busy city, the people in Mexico City never sleep. There are so many bars and clubs that play different music catering to different scenes. Some bars and clubs are underground and those are the jewels of the city and if you find them enjoy them!
I was lucky to meet people that showed me Mexico City in a different way from a locals perspective. Party at 11pm and leave at 8am and head to a after party, eating delicious foods you can’t have enough of, meeting that special person that makes you forget you're on vacation, enjoying what’s around you and not worrying about anything.
While I was there I never slept it seemed. I was high on life, felt great to live again. I was proud of myself for not canceling my trip just because I was dumped by T. I would have missed so many adventures! Actually…I got a chance to see him in a party and it was a surprise for both of us to see each other in such a huge city but I was glad he saw me. I don’t know how to describe it but it was like a relief, more like I'm a badass. I still made it out here even though he cancelled on me, it felt like
I had the power. Even better because that night I already was on a date with someone else so how crazy is that? I would tell you more on the details but I rather leave it for another story…
Just so you know I'm planning to visit as many times as I can to Mexico City. I'm not done exploring, I just can’t get enough of Mexico City.
Here are some things you want to check out if you ever happen to be over there..
Night Life- Even though I haven’t seen all of Mexico City night life, so far these are my favorites (you can always check maycrazylifestyle on instagram to get all the 411 to some kick ass places).
Colonia Roma- It's also called “La Roma” or simply Roma. It's known for being a place for “hipsters”. The neighborhood is designed like French style mansions. You could find many restaurants, bars,
clubs, shops, culture centers, churches and gallaries. It's a really cool place to check out and hangout.
Zona Rosa- Zona Rosa is so unique! It's a gay community, as well as a Korean community!
I love Zona Rosa, so many restaurants, bars, clubs, places to shop. I love going there because you could never get bored, it's so big that there are many places to explore and some have hidden bars. I believe one time we found what looked like a
hidden bar, but when you would go inside the whole bar had photos of The Beatles and the drinks were cheap too! People out there are open minded and that’s not common in a lot of places…
La Purisima- Kick ass gay club. Some men that go there are so hot that I just can't help myself to check them out! lol That place has unique style and music that makes you dance non stop. I recommend it 101% Gay or not gay you will have a great time plus there are bars and food stands around that area. I recommend to go in a large group, you will have more fun. If you get lucky maybe you can find a bar nearby that does after hours till 8 in the morning!! Mexico City knows how to party!
MN Roy- Now this place is Epic!! How do I know?? I've been here a few times because I got lucky that my friends have connections to this hidden only members club where you have to be approved by the famous queen of the club Zemmoa. If she does not approve of you, then you won't have a chance to experience this hidden jewel. When you make it to the inside right away you see that it's totally different from the outside! Once you get to the second floor there is a smoking room right away you see swings, to the other side they have a clear glass to see people dancing and of course a view of the DJ.
Long time ago this building belonged to Indian activist “Manabendra Nath Roy” who later came to be in the Mexican communist party. This place from the outside does not look anything like it does from the inside. It reminds me of a speakeasy type of place. Oh and if you like to party for long hours get ready because this place lasts till almost 8 in the morning.
El Under(Colonia Roma)- If you like punk Rock, The Smiths, Gothic… then you're in the right place with so many choices because the place is huge and has lots of rooms with different types of music. It's a great open space for almost everyone that likes this type of music and doesn't do the club scene. They only accepted cash so make sure you bring enough money for the drinks. For more information on this mysterious club check out their site http://theunder.org/real/
It's not your typical bar it's an underground and very unique place to party and wear whatever the hell you want.
Patrick Miller- Great memories! A friend of mine introduced my friends and I to this venue. When you arrive at this place it's non stop dancing and the place is huge! They were playing 80’s and 90’s music. If you’re a dancer like me get ready for dance off! There's a lot of people that circle around and do a dance off. It's really cool to see different people with different dance moves. If you have Facebook check them out @PatrickMillerMX ...oh and one more thing, they only serve beer so take enough cash for the entrance fee and drinks.
Day Bars/Food:
ZOna RoSa: If you happen to be around here well… It's tough to choose from so many
bars! Can”t help it but to try them all!
La Cerveceria, Condesa del Barrio- One of my favorite places to eat
sea food and they have great drink menu options. I like to order Ceviche and
fish tacos. You can find them on Yelp
https://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/la-cervecer%C3%ADa-de-barrio-m%C3%A9xico-6?select=h2C1JOcRhxfO2u7z4XOWYQ
Note: Don’t eat at sushi bars in Mexico City unless you have eaten there
before, then it's okay, otherwise don’t try it. I had to learn the hard way in
going to a sushi bar and getting super sick before I left Mexico city.
Libreria Porrua- It's found in Chapultepec Park. You would love this
place filled with books that you can buy and they have an indoor/outdoor
snacks/drinks bar. And outside you can see people getting on the water
boats. Really relaxing, inspiring and a great place to hang with
friends.
La Polar- Best Birria you could eat in Mexico City! This place is
located en la Colonia San Rafael. For more info you can check out their
website http://www.lapolar.com.mx/index1.html
A must place to visit and bring friends. You'll be amazed how big this
place is with live Mariachi and delicious beer and tequila.
Plaza Garibaldi-
It's located in historic downtown Mexico City, on Eje Central between
historic Calle Republica de Honduras and Calle Republica de Peru. A
few blocks north of the Palacios de Bellas Artes. Check it out when
the Mariachi is playing outside alongside lots of restaurants to choose from and
some have mini shows. Can’t wait to go back again and visit my
Mariachis and have some tasty Micheladas.
If you feel like shopping and scoring some cool unique stuff check out
tianguisculturadelchopo.freeiz.com to get the 411…
.
VISIT…
Museums/Places to visit:
-Teotihuacan (Pyramids)
-Museo Nacional de Antropologia
-Metropolitan Cathedral Church
-La Casa Azul de Frida Kahlo
-El Angel de la Independencia (Angel of Independence)
-Castillo de Chapiltepec castle (Chapultepec castle)
-Palacio de Bellas Artes (museopalaciodebellasartes.gob.mx)
-Xochimilco
-Chapultepec Park
Festivals To Check Out..
-Viva Latino (so many stages and so many different bands from all over
the world and it's a 3 day festival)
-Corona Capital (many rock/Indie rock bands. 2 day festival)
Stay Tuned for more Maycrazylifestyle adventures and stories…
Let adventure take you by the hand and lead you to explore even more
than you could imagine…
