Today marks the one month mark of our time in Mexico City. So far, we’ve had an absolutely amazing time and everything has gone really smoothly for us so far. We arrived having no idea what to expect from Mexico City. We didn’t know if we would like the city or feel comfortable here, and so far we have felt really at home.
We spent our first 3 weeks in an AirBnb in the southern part of La Condesa. The area is really nice and full of tons of great restaurants and bars. Within our first few days, we ate more tacos than I can count on 2 hands!
Within the first week, we checked out a WeWork Co-working space and signed up for memberships. We’ve been working there ever since. The location is beautiful, and we work on the 11th floor overlooking the entire sprawling city. It’s an unreal view!
Since our booking ran out at our first AirBnb, we booked a second AirBnb in the neighborhood beside La Condesa called La Roma, and we are currently staying in Roma Sur. We’ve found a great apartment to live in for the next 6 months (!!) in Roma Norte that we move into on Wednesday and I could not be more excited to have our own space and to be settled for the next couple of months.
Over the last 4 weeks, we’ve worked Monday – Friday and usually part of Saturday, making Sunday our day to explore the city. We’ve seen 2 movies in Spanish (Coco & the Lego Ninja movie), checked out the historical center, Zocalo, paid a visit to the Museum of Anthropology, went to a Lucha Libre show, saw J Balvin in concert, went shopping in Latin America’s biggest shopping mall in Santa Fe, and spent numerous hours wandering Polanco. We still have SO much left to see and explore, which makes me really excited for the upcoming months ahead!
Here are a few things that stand out from our first month in Mexico City so far:
Best Taco:
Kesitos Cabanna from Cabanna in Polanco. This taco is shrimp, fried cheese, avocado and a spicy sauce. It’s unreal.
Best Margarita:
Maracuya (passionfruit) margarita from Cabanna.
Strangest Thing I’ve Eaten:
A taco with grasshoppers on it. I’m pretty into cricket protein bars so I thought I would like it, but it was way too out there for me. And salty.
Biggest Culture Shock:
Seeing a pair of pants sitting in the street covered in human poop. Who poops their pants and leaves them in the street?!
Favorite Restaurant(s):
We’ve eaten at so many great restaurants so far, and I know we will eat at a lot more great restaurants in the next few months:
Azul Condesa – this was our first meal in Mexico City and it was amazing. The prices are comparable to the prices at home, so we can’t eat there often, but it’s delicious.
Ojo de Agua – this places serves amazing smoothies, salads and sandwiches for an affordable price. I could easily eat here every single day and be happy.
La Otilia – an entirely GF restaurant that serves up some mean GF baked goods.
Favorite Tourist Activity:
So far, my favorite tourist activity has been walking through Chapultepec Park and visiting the Museum of Anthropology.
Favorite Non-Toursit Activity:
Seeing J Balvin in concert.
Most Interesting Experience:
I have 2. Getting my teeth cleaned at a Mexican dentist office was a really interesting experience, and seeing a Lucha Libre show was also pretty out of this world. Lucha Libre is like Mexican WWE, but way more hilarious.
Most Awkward Interaction:
Getting a massage. Neither Ryan or I have the Spanish vocabulary necessary to navigate this experience and it was really awkward overall.
Most Surprising Part of Being in Mexico City:
How much I like it! Also, that they don’t eat breakfast tacos and there are old VW bugs EVERYWHERE!
Best Unexpected Experience:
We stumbled upon a parade for Dia de Los Muertos on a break for lunch during a Saturday work session. We ended up staying and watching it for a while and it was really awesome!
Goals for the Upcoming 6 Months:
Over the next few months, I have a few personal goals that I want to accomplish:
- Improve my Spanish significantly
- Make a friend or 2
- Try a new yoga studio
- Visit San Miguel, Puebla, Oaxaca, Merida, Acapolco, Puerto Escondito, and the Mayan Riviera
- Convince a friend to come visit!
- Visit the ruins in Mexico City
- Hike a volcano
If you’ve been to Mexico City and have recommendations, please send them our way! 🙂