CDMX, te amamos.
In Mexico City's bustling food landscape, a symphony of tastes and aromas converge, showcasing the core of a culture deeply intertwined with its cuisine. The smell of churros, the sizzling of carne asada, and the bright colors of fresh produce mark each street; a celebration of Mexico's many flavors. SWT indulged at one of the world’s top restaurants and tasted local delicacies like grasshoppers and ant eggs for the first time (& liked them!).
Pujol, led by Chef Enrique Olivera, weaves together heritage and innovation to create dishes that paint a vivid picture of Mexico's storied past. It takes months to get a reservation, so treat yourself to a sneak peak of the magic with Chef Olvera's Chef's Table episode! Meanwhile, Hacienda de Los Morales transports you through time with its colonial charm, serving up Mexican flavors that speak to tradition and culinary finesse.
Bottom line: Mexico City's food scene is as diverse as it is delicious.
Mexico City's allure extends far beyond food; the art scene is a kaleidoscope of creativity. The murals adorning buildings old & new are captivating both for their vibrant coloring and for the stories they tell of the nation’s history & activism. The Frida Kahlo Museum is equally as vibrant, filled with art by Friday and her husband, Diego Riviera. We enjoyed learning about her life and the role art has played throughout Mexican history.
These SWT gals' suitcases are definitely going to weigh more on the way home… especially after a visit to the cultural treasure that is el Mercado de San Angel. With its cobbled streets and colonial charm, the San Angel market is a haven for artisans, where their handcrafted treasures, from intricate textiles to whimsical ceramics, paint a vivid portrait of Mexico's artistic soul.
As with its food and art, much of Mexican culture strives to pay homage to the nation's history, especially to the land's indigenous people (primarily the Aztec Empire). Though much has been lost to time (and to conquistadores), the neighborhood of Xochimilco—a UNESCO World Heritage Site—remains remarkably well-preserved. 'Xochimilco', a word from Nahautl, the language of the Aztecs and other indigenous people from Mexico, loosely translates to 'the land of flowers.'
This region has been a center of agriculture since pre-Hispanic times thanks to the ingenious farming system using floating gardens called chinampas. It's due to Xochimilco's economic and ecological significance that its cultural identity remains intact, even today. We explored the chinampas via the ancient network of canals on one of the iconic trajineras, vibrant & flower-adorned boats traditionally named after the owner's wife or lover. This tradition is one of many that allows Xochimilco to thrive as a living relic of Mexico's past.
While riding in a trajinera in Xochimilco was super cool, nothing beats a hot air balloon ride over the ancient ruins of Teotihuacan—meaning "the land of gods" in Nahuatl. Floating above the monumental pyramids at sunrise is an almost otherworldly experience, allowing those bold enough to witness history from a breathtaking vantage point. This excursion solidifies Mexico City as a destination where exploration knows no bounds, and one for every kind of traveler.
