Visiting Chapultepec and Coyoacan in Mexico City

The fountain of two coyotes in Coyoacan

Last day in Mexico City, and also the last day in Mexico. It was a sunny Thursday morning when Leo and I headed out. I joined him in taxi ride towards his University, but have jumped out close to a neighbourhood called Coyoacan. I didn’t know what to expect, only that it is an interesting place worth a visit. While walking towards it I went to a bank to pay for my exit fee out of the country (around 20 USD). It went smoothly, so I continued towards the center of Coyoacan.

Upon arriving, I felt like being in some charming Italian town. It didn’t feel at all like being in Mexico City. Well, in the past this neighbourhood was a town of its own. It became part of DF (Mexico City) in the 19th century. Its name apparently comes from Nahuatl and it means “place of coyotes”. In the main park, where there is a fountain with two coyotes, I bought a typical Mexican ice-cream and sat down on the bench. Going further, one reaches another part of the square where the church is and another nicely designed park area with some monuments. What struck me the most about this place is that it really feels like you are in a completely different town in Mexico City. I could easily live here for some time. Walking further along one street, I stumble upon an entrance to a building that caught my attention. Having all the time in the world, naturally I went inside to explore it, and I’m so glad I did. Inside is a secret little park, with a caffe, a little fountain, the labyrinth, and other interesting things. I could easily see how this would become one of my favourite spot if I were ever to live in Mexico City.

The ruins of an ancient Aztec temple in Mexico City – El Templo Mayor

Templo Mayor in Mexico City

Getting to Templo Mayor didn’t involve much planning because I was already in Mexico City. It was Saturday when I went to check out that interesting place. It is situated at Zocalo/main square, on the Northern part of it. Even though it was Saturday, there weren’t too many people there.

Templo Mayor is one of the largest and one of the main temples that have existed in the ancient city of Aztecs, which was situated on the same area where Mexico City is today. According to a story, when Aztecs were looking for the place where to build their city, they were given a clue by a higher being that they should build it where they see an eagle standing on a cactus, devouring a serpent. So they looked and looked for this sign, until finally, after much hardship and suffering, they’ve seen it! (By the way that image is also incorporated on Mexican flag) It was in a swamp area infested with insects and reptiles, but they followed their guidance and built what was to be the glorious city of the Aztecs.

Six days in Mexico City

Mexico City

It was around 20th of May this year when I went from Tepoztlan to Mexico. My host in Tepoztlan, Matias, also went to Mexico on that same day so I joined him in that two hour trip. We had some great laughs and also talk about some interesting subjects. To be honest, I was nervous because of going to Mexico City. I heard a lot about it – how it is chaotic and dangerous – and in my mind I conjured an image that proved to be not in line with reality.

Matias dropped me off at one of the metro station, and I already noticed a clear difference between Mexico City and other places I’ve been to thus far.
“Hey! Hurry up, we don’t have all day!”, was a shout of a man waiting in a cue behind me while I was buying a metro ticket and asking for directions.
“Oh, come on. Have patience sir. I need to explain to him how to get where he wants to go.”, the clerk lady defended me.