Highlights
Full of life, color, and excitement, this week we are heading to Mexico City, the densely populated and high energy capital of Mexico. Both home to good food and an interesting history, Mexico City has much to offer tourists invested in the culture of the place. If you are interested in going on a virtual, accessible tour of the city, be sure to keep reading…
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Visit the Museums and Sites
Mexico City houses numerous sites and attractions which are captivating for many reasons. One such reason is historical and cultural value, definitely found in The National Museum of Anthropology. This museum is an institution dear to Mexico, and is the largest and most widely visited museum in the nation. To learn more about The National Museum of Anthropology, be sure to read the blog by A Blog Voyage and listen to a podcast from Wonders of the World. You can also watch an exploratory video from Eileen Aldis, which comes with auto generated captions.
Another fascinating site is the Palacio de Bellas Artes, or the Palace of Fine Arts. Originally opened in 1934, the palace is a prominent cultural center, hosting a variety of performances, literature events, exhibitions and galleries. For more information on the Palacio de Bellas Artes, you can check out the blog from Belair Unique and embark on a virtual tour of the space. The virtual tour has a 3D explorer, a video with closed captions, and an exhibit.
Zócalo, formally known as the Plaza de la Constitución, is the main square in Mexico City. Before the colonial period, it was an Aztec ceremonial center, in which rituals, ceremonies, and parades took place. Now, it is home to bustling restaurants, Aztec ruins, museums, murals, and more. To learn more about this fascinating space, be sure to visit the blog from Nat Packer and watch the video from David Ostrowski. The video comes with auto generated captions.
An important symbol of Mexico’s vast history is the Chapultepec Castle, one of the only royal palaces in North America to be inhabited by monarchs. The fortress was home to many Mexican leaders, including Emperor Maximilian and Porfirio Diaz. Want to learn more about the site? Read through the blog from The Froggy Adventures and watch the video from Ben Troy Outdoors, which comes with auto generated captions. For the Spanish speakers — or those who just want to practice their Spanish — you can also listen to this informative podcast from Easy Espanol.
For a more outdoorsy attraction, look no further than Alameda Central — a public urban park in downtown Mexico City. One of the oldest public parks in the Americas, Alameda Central hosts green gardens, paved paths, decorative fountains, and captivating statues. To learn more about the park, be sure to check out the blog from Discover Walks and watch the video from Eddie Voo Wanderlust, which comes with auto generated captions.
Tune in to Shows and Movies About Mexico City
Mexico City, and Mexico generally, holds great influence in the world of film and television, serving as the backdrop and plot device for many movies and shows. For one, the film Roma delivers an emotional portrait of Cleo, a domestic worker in 1970s Mexico City. After marital drama with the family she works for, Sofia, Cleo’s boss, brings the young woman on an unforgettable vacation with her children. Roma is available on Netflix, and comes with English closed captions and Spanish audio description.
A gritty coming of age story, Güeros follows the exploits of three restless teens as they search for folk singer Epigmenio Cruz during the student strikes of 1999. Teenage Tomás is sent to live with his brother Sombra, who shares an apartment with Santos — their journey is electrified by the general unrest of the youth during this time. Güeros can be watched on Netflix, and comes with closed captions.
Starring actress Salma Hayek, Frida tells the story of real life artist Frida Kahlo as she fostered her artistry and managed a variety of relationships. Whether it was the tempestuous relationship between herself and her mentor or the many illicit affairs, Kahlo’s boldness and forward thinking personality set the world ablaze. Frida can be rented on YouTube, and includes closed captions.
As for television shows, The House of Flowers may be just what you are searching for. This darkly humorous comedy series follows a family-run flower business — though they seem perfect on the outside, much dysfunction and chaos is hidden beneath the surface. The House of Flowers can be viewed on Netflix, and has English closed captions and Spanish audio description.
High Heat is just what it sounds like — intense, hot, and volatile. The series explores the lives of the brave firefighters who put their lives on the line day after day, even as their personal lives become complicated and burdensome. High Heat is available on Netflix, and comes with English closed captions and Spanish audio description.
Get Lost in Books About Mexico City
Sick of the silver screen? No worries — we have an array of great books about Mexico City and its culture set to entertain you.
Caramelo by Sandra Cisneros seeks to examine how family narratives are spun and how they survive. When Lala — the younger daughter of a recently immigrated Mexican family — tries to tell the story of her Awful Grandmother and how she became so awful, grandmother accuses her of exaggerating. Soon, this multigenerational tale of family warps, complicates, and becomes a whirlwind of storytelling. Caramelo can be found on Amazon, and has a Kindle and audiobook version.
A masterpiece of the surreal, Pedro Páramo by Juan Rulfo tells the otherworldly tale of a man looking to find his father. Swearing to his dying mother that he would find his lost father, Pedro Páramo, the man heads to the fading town of Comala, haunted by spirits, memories, and hallucinations. You can find Pedro Páramo on Amazon, and it has a Kindle version.
Written by famed author Jack Kerouac when he was living in Mexico City, Mexico City Blues contains some of his most important verse work. Inspired by jazz, blues, fantasies, and dreams, the book incorporates all elements of his spontaneous composition. Mexico City Blues is available on Amazon, and has a Kindle version.
1889, Mexico. A civil war is brewing. Teresita, the daughter of wealthy rancher Don Tomas Urrea, has risen from death with the power to heal. Now, she must endure trials and tests to overcome her loss and pain as she is becoming known as the “Saint of Cabora”. This is the plot of The Hummingbird’s Daughter by Luis Alberto Urrea, and the book is available on Amazon. There is also a Kindle and audiobook version.
Lost in Oaxaca by Jessica Winters Mireles tells the story of a solitary piano teacher, Camille Childs, investigating the disappearance of her star student Graciela — who has gone back to her family’s home in Oaxaca, Mexico. Camille goes on a journey to bring her back in time for a concert, meeting friends — and love — along the way. Lost in Oaxaca is available on Amazon, and has a Kindle version.
If you are also interested in purchasing books from Mexican-based online bookstores, please visit the site Biblio, containing insights into bookstores available. The above books are just a few, widely accessible options that are wonderful reads.
Bring Mexico City to Your Kitchen
Aside from enchanting sites and stories, Mexico City has a strong culture of delicious, inventive foods. We have provided a short list of a few vegan and gluten free recipes that harken back to Mexican culinary traditions.
A staple in many Mexican households, salsa roja is a refreshing, easy to make dish that can be served as a snack or as an appetizer. It is also a great way to sneak some veggies into your diet. My Latina Table has a solid vegan and gluten free salsa roja recipe that will leave you wanting more. Dip away!
For a hearty lunch or dinner, pozole is definitely the way to go. Pozole is a comforting soup made with pinto beans, hominy, jalapenos, and other such ingredients. The vegan and gluten free pozole verde recipe from Simple Veganista is ideal for a cold, rainy night when you need some extra warmth.
Of course, no meal is complete without a little sweet treat. This time around we have chosen the classic Mexican dessert — flan! Although the Spaniards originally took flan to Mexico, Mexican cooks have made the recipe their own through a few changes, like adding vanilla. Minimalist Baker has a simple, no fuss recipe for vegan and gluten free flan, so be sure to try it out!
Where to Next?
Thanks for wandering Mexico City with us virtually. Join us next time as we explore Madrid, Spain.