Mexico City: Would you like something more?

2024: A city at the limit

The Aztec civilization was located in what is now Mexico and extended east and south of the Sierra Madre, from the Gulf of Mexico to the Pacific. Tenochtitlan was the capital. Today, today's Mexico City stands there. With 20 million inhabitants, Mexico City is one of the largest cities in the world. Berlin is a village in comparison.

The name Mexico comes from the language of the Aztecs, who were known as Mexicas. With an area of 1,972,550 sq km, the country is almost six times larger than Germany. Did you know that color television was invented by Guillermo González Camarena? You know now.

Getting there

I travel from Frankfurt directly to Mexico City in just over 12 hours with Lufthansa. Entry is problem-free. You can stay without a visa for a maximum of three months. Immigration decides the length of stay. The woman asks the purpose of my stay, when I will leave the country again and writes the departure date in the passport. For me it's five weeks.

Tip: After you have picked up your suitcases, go to the taxi counter on the right in the arrivals hall and buy a ticket to your destination. The price depends on the respective zone. These taxis are slightly more expensive; Since you have already paid the price, there is no need for annoying negotiations with the drivers. Only public transport is cheaper than any other.

View from the roof terrace of the hotel restaurant to the Metropolitan Cathedral.

I chose the Best Western Majestic Hotel, with a view of the Catedral Metropolitana, in the historic old town. Disadvantage: It is very loud in the evenings. So don't go to sleep too early.

Room with view

Taxis cannot park directly in front of the hotel. The old town is closed to cars. The entrance to the hotel is in the pedestrian zone, on a side street to the main square. I ran past it three times before I finally spotted the unspectacular entrance. From the hotel's own restaurant on the 7th floor you have a magnificent view of the huge square, the Plaza de la Constitución Historico de la Ciudad de Mexico, also known as the Zócalo for short. Life is raging here, and not just because of tourism. The area is also a popular destination for Mexicans. You can reach countless hotspots within walking distance.

The cathedral is on the north side, the President's National Palace is on the Baltic Sea of the Zocalo. Before the destruction of the Aztec capital Tenochtitlan by the Spanish in 1521, the palace of King Moctezuma II stood to the northeast.

Not a good figure

It's almost impossible not to gain weight in Mexico. You won't look good. The bakeries alone will drive you to the brink of madness. I'm not exaggerating.

Mexicans can only feel pity for our thinned out selection of baked goods. The gallery shows a huge range of pastries, pastries, cakes and tarts - all under one roof. Only our range of bread is richer. When you enter the store, you grab a tray, your own pair of tongs and off you go through the shelves. Whatever you like is put on the tray and paid for at the cash register.

How do they protect themselves from this? No idea. Maybe a dozen weight-loss injections.

Death is everywhere!

Death smiles.

Mexicans have an ambivalent relationship with death. It is omnipresent in the countless paintings on the walls of houses: huge skulls, masks, grimaces. Sculptures and what else I know. The cult of the dead and the cult surrounding death are part of everyday life. As is often the case, the Christian church has integrated many Aztec traditions into its church for reasons of acceptance.

Dia de los Muertos is celebrated from the eve of October 31st to November 2nd. It is not limited to one day. Festivals, parties and parades take place with colorful costumes and robes. Mexicans remember their loved ones by singing and dancing.

La Catrina, the skull, is the symbol: death is part of life and is portrayed very humorously.

Mexico's history is less humorous. Colonialism, Inquisition and proselytization pave Mexico's path with corpses up to the present day. And in the present day, drug cartels are up to mischief. No day begins or ends without murders. The bodies are dismembered or buried as a deterrent. I mostly walk and travel alone, and I don't want to gloss over or provoke anything. At no time did I feel uncomfortable, except for the low-hanging cords, unexpected holes in the paths or stumbling blocks.

Tip: Nevertheless, we tourists notice little or nothing of the tough crime. Most of them live isolated from the outside world within the large hotel complexes. There are police everywhere in the historic old town of Mexico City and in the tourist hotspots. As a rule, no one goes to the problematic neighborhoods. Especially not at night. But you don't do that in your city either. And in tourist groups you almost enjoy parliamentary immunity. You should be stingy with political commentary. This is an act of internal interference in the country and is not welcomed (anywhere).

The Museo de Arte Popular

This museum in Mexico City promotes and preserves Mexican crafts and folk art, offering exhibitions and workshops. It is within walking distance of the historic center and housed in an old fire station. The collection ranges from furniture, toys, glass and ceramics, sculptures to artfully crafted textiles. You'll also find a whole floor of fun exhibits about the aforementioned death cult. Even an ornate old VW Beetle is on display.

Addresse: Revillagigedo 11, Colonia Centro, Cuauhtémoc, 06050 Ciudad de Mexico, CDMX

Tip: Entrance to many museums is free for seniors aged 60+.

30 years of construction: Palacio de Bellas Artes

The facade is made of white marble.

This fine arts building in the historic center of Mexico City is an opera house, theater and museum at the same time. Construction began in 1904 after the National Theater was vandalized as a symbol of colonialism. Due to financial bottlenecks, problems with the building subsoil and social tensions, the building was not completed until 1934. Almost like Berlin Airport, one might say.

Park of Opportunities: Alameda Central

The park is directly adjacent to the Palacio de Bellas Artes. The site was an Aztec marketplace. Life is raging here at the weekend, as many Mexicans use it for local recreation and as a stage for music and singing. Or as a sports arena, like the skaters. Street food and Krims-Krms stands ensure physical and mental well-being, especially for children. If you have the time and leisure, you can sit down on one of the many park benches and watch the hustle and bustle. Most tourist groups don't have the park on their radar and simply drive around it in their air-conditioned buses.

They only make a photo stop at the neoclassical monument Hemiciclo A Benito Juárez, Mexico's first indigenous president.

It's a shame, because here you can observe the real life of Mexicans. Whether alone, with family or friends, they flock to the park on the weekend, sit down on benches, stones or green areas, chatter away or quietly enjoy the many performances that are offered to them. You can't get more authentic than that.

If you don't know what to do with your empty drink bottle: the green angels constantly walking around the park ensure order and cleanliness.

I tend to compare Mexico City to Rome. It is one gigantic (open-air) museum. Wherever you go; You are surrounded by history and stories. In Mexico City you will understand and discover the contradictions and cultural disunity of the country.

Tip: Book your hotel in the old town. You save yourself long journey times to the old town and the often overcrowded metros. In the historic old town you will discover countless sights, museums, squares, small parks, churches, colonial-style buildings, restaurants, cafes, bakeries, street stalls, souvenir shops. There are police on almost every corner. So it is relatively safe. You determine your own daily rhythm and can stay wherever you like. I watched with regret as stressed groups of tourists were chased from one corner of the old town to the other by even more stressed tour guides. Arriving is different.

A friend who lives here in Mexico told me the key with Mexicans is always a friendly smile. It is understood in every language.

Plaza Tlaxcoaque with the Catholic Church Inmaculada and Monumento Memorial al Genocidio de Jodyali.