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Mexico City RevisitedBy Donna YuenWhen the opportunity to revisit Mexico City arrived, many descriptions came to mind, chaotic traffic, horrendous pollution, poverty and danger. Fourteen years ago, while some of these descriptions were appropriate, others were greatly exaggerated. Still my recollections focused on the positive, beautiful architecture, engrossing history, and friendly welcoming people.
Mexico City has completely re-invented itself; now offering a safe, clean and vibrant travel destination. A stroll along one of the main avenues, Paseo De La Refroma “Walk of the Reform” will engage the visitor’s eyes with 36 statues of national heroes, elaborate fountains, towering palms and monuments. Reforma also passes through the Zona Rosa (the pink zone), which is packed with exceptional hotels, shopping districts, art galleries, restaurants and cafes. In the evening, the Zona Rosa transforms itself to a popular nightspot with late closing bars, discos and clubs. Heading North from Zona Rosa the visitor will arrive in the Polanco and Chapultepec districts of which the latter is also the city’s largest park, housing theaters, lakes, a zoo, botanical garden and cafes and restaurants. One particular section of the park is named “Forest for the Blind” where people can walk, by following a trail of aromas. Upon Grasshopper Hill are the National History Museum and the Chapultepec Castle, which offers spectacular panoramic views of Mexico City. Further along Paseo De La Reforma is the museum zone. The museum of Modern Art and Rufino Tamayo Museum present excellent examples of contemporary art while in contrast the National Museum of Anthropology is impressive by its sheer size and comprehensive content.
To see a complete representation of Mexico and its residents, visit the City’s Historical Center (Centro Historico). The oldest part of the city offers enormous plazas, ancient churches and temples, museums, open air markets and it depicts the vibrant diversity of Mexico City. The area is busy, fast paced and enthralling. To escape the noise and pace of the inner city include a visit to the Hotel de Cortes’, which was converted from a monk’s travel lodge to one of the city’s hotels. The spectacular courtyard restaurant offers a melody of singing birds and multihued floral arrangements.
As the white-gloved butler leaves my last order of champagne and orange juice on the desk, I look out from my luxurious room at the Sheraton Maria Isabel. Gazing down at the Angel of Independence, I smile to myself; my revisit to Mexico City is an enlightening one. Colored by the misleading poor reputation Mexico City has earned in the past, I am astounded to see the magnificent transformation this hidden jewel has undergone, and I strive to revisit it again and again to discover its other concealed treasures. Access: Sheraton Maria Isabel Mexico Tourism Board: by Donna Yuen |
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Upon my recent return to Mexico City I am greatly
surprised, while it still may legitimately hold the reputation for being the
world’s largest parking lot, pollution levels are lower than the per capita
emission rates for many major Canadian and American cities. With the exception
of the retro Volkswagen beetles {Vochos} now being used as discount taxis, most
cars are relatively new with strict emission controls and thus lower pollution
levels. The visible poverty on the street is
minimal and it appears to be less than the current homelessness issues in
Vancouver. Like any large metropolis, Mexico City has its dangers; but crime
rates are actually comparable to most large North American cities with the
exception that it has a lower violent crime rate.
The district of Polanco is considered by many to be the
Beverly Hills of Mexico City where some of the wealthiest residents live and
work. The area boasts a large variety of high-end dining and luxury hotels such
as the new W hotel recently opened in Mexico City.
The district offers five star service of every kind imaginable. Wandering the
neighborhoods depicts the exceptional architecture and wealth of Mexico City.
A must see for any visitor to Mexico City is nearby
Teotihuacan “The Place where men turn into Gods”. This city flourished between
the 4th and 8th centuries and is primarily comprised of the Pyramids of the Sun,
the Pyramid of the Moon and the Walkway of the Dead. Descendants of the ancient Teotihuacanos once inhabited this
world-renowned archaeological zone. The Mexica subsequently discovered it
centuries after it had been abandoned. They deemed it to be a graveyard for
kings who were eventually transformed to Gods. The legends speak of the Gods who
sacrificed themselves to create a Sun; as a result, the altars (Pyramids) were
built for the Gods. Follow the spirits and stroll the Walkway of the Dead, climb
the magnificent pyramids to absorb the mystical energy of the Pyramid of the
Sun.
