MEXICO CITY: Todo el hermoso caos

[plinko]

Mexico City is a marvel. Not in the sense that it’s the prettiest city in the world, or that it offers some magical urban experience that exists nowhere else. It just is. Perhaps my interest in it is that in many ways it seems so much like Los Angeles (my nearest megacity), except 3X as dense and with a transit system that actually gets you anywhere. I had some time two weeks ago and tickets were cheap so I decided to make a quick trip.

I hadn’t been there since late 2004 so it’s changed significantly. Much more vertical than previous trips, with an integrated train/BRT/bike rental system that makes it so easy to get around. The food scene is amazing at both the fancy restaurants and the street vendors. I skipped staying at a nice hotel and instead found a condo Air BnB on the 40th floor of a new tower on the Reforma for $125/night with all the amenities and no crowds. I didn’t venture out to Las Piramides this time because I went last time. Those haven’t changed much of course.

Mostly I just roamed. 25 miles of walking, another 10-15 miles of biking, and just pure enjoyment. Sadly I missed Polanco, Condesa, and Roma Norte as I got sick the last two days from the altitude.

Anyway, as always, I share photos of this very special place…


CDMX 001 by Michael Stroh, on Flickr


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I had not been to the Museum of Anthropology before. I had always heard that it is one of the best museums in the world. It did not disappoint.

CDMX 055 by Michael Stroh, on Flickr


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Triple! I’ve never seen one of those before…

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I didn’t know this was originally supposed to be the seat of government. They reused the structure to build the monument.

CDMX 141 by Michael Stroh, on Flickr


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Apparently there is a Chinatown? It’s only 3-4 blocks long, but I was able to stop and buy a steaming hot Bao before continuing on…

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I did the observation deck in the Torre Latinoamericano last time and it’s great, but I skipped it this time…

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I have no idea what this is…

CDMX 174 by Michael Stroh, on Flickr


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When you build a city on a muddy lake…

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They close the Reforma to cars on Sundays. Nice…

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Notice all the vertical plantings…

CDMX 199 by Michael Stroh, on Flickr

The tallest building in CDMX, another Pelli meh… Remember when Pelli used to be a master contextualist? His sons? Not so much…

CDMX 200 by Michael Stroh, on Flickr


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UNAM, home to some great mid-century architecture including their main library…

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It was actually graduation day, which was kind of fun…

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Apparently we have imported the habit of cheap nasty $5 pizza…

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Every bit as awe inspiring as it appears in photos…

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!Rascacielos!

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Muy Bueno…

CDMX 233 by Michael Stroh, on Flickr

[OakAngeles]

I'm not normally a fan of brutalism, but the way Mexico City has used that style to create a "Neo-Tenochtitlan" kind of vibe has always impressed me. It makes the city look imposing, like it was piled up from the earth beneath it, ancient yet modern.

Amazing photos as always & great timing with the blooming Jacaranda trees!

[craigs]

Great photo tour! Were the crowds thinner than usual? We're trying to get down to CDMX sometime this summer.

[ThatDarnSacramentan]

Yet another reminder why I have this city so high on my visit list. I'll get there someday. Looks like a great trip.

[ColDayMan]

It really is a special place.

[mousquet]

The pre-columbian anthropology museum nearby their central park must be superb.
This is where they outdid themselves.
It would be very large, something like 500k square feet to feature Maya, Aztec and other native civilizations.
I hear it's only €4 to get in, that's too cheap, too much silly socialism. They should triple the price, people would pay anyway, because they're curious about it.

[mrnyc]

nice pix of cdmx —

fun place to run around, but the transit is significantly underbaked.

[Coldrsx]

I was always told that:

1. why would you ever go there, you will probably get shot or have Montezuma's revenge the entire time and there's no beach.

2. it will surprise you, encourage you to explore further and be on your top 3-5 ever visited.

#2 held true.

[Velvet_Highground]

Sick, most underrated global city.

[hauntedheadnc]

Originally Posted by plinko

I have no idea what this is…

CDMX 174 by Michael Stroh, on Flickr

That's a drugstore chain. The guy in white is their mascot pharmacist. In their advertising, he's always having wacky adventures.

[Echoes]

The perfect primer for my first visit to CDMX later this year. Thank you!

[ChrisLA]

Nicely done, I’ve been a little curious about this city and suspect I will never visit so I truly appreciate you sharing these. I’m just curious about the weather, how was it? I believe someone told me it doesn’t get that warm, or at least not as warm as Los Angeles.

[fleonzo]

I love Mexico City, one of my favorite cities in the Western Hemisphere!

[MayDay]

Fantastic set! A friend has been snowbirding there for several years - I can see why

[pwright1]

Beautiful photos of a beautiful city.

[Coldrsx]

Cdmx ftw