The Printers of Mexico City

Both on the Plaza Santo Domingo and just behind it, one can find a brisk business being done by printers still using hand powered printing machines that must be 100 years old. No matter what your printing need is, from business cards to wedding and birthday invitations, you can commission one of dozens of small kiosks for your job large or small.

Due to the unique opportunity presented here, I had my own trajeta personal or card made up for less than it would have cost in the States. Although I shopped around, most of the prices were similar and all of the printers were equally friendly and eager to have my business.

 

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Is Mexico safe or not? Well, the answer really depends on the part of the country you visit and your travel habits. Remember, if you are somewhere where you shouldn't be, trouble can happen regardless of the country you're visiting.

Safety in Mexico

 

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Saturdays in San Angel

After visiting many of the standard sites around the city, spend a Saturday strolling around San Angel. In addition to some fine eateries, most of your entertainment will be had visiting with local artists and craftspersons.

Plaza San Jacinto offers great opportunities to purchase some lovely fine art offered by local artists.

Sculpture, paintings & photographs!

 

Tribute to Diego in Plaza San Jacinto

Not far from the Plaza is the studio museum of Diego Rivera. Take the time to leisurely walk the narrow, cobblestone streets of San Angel.

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As I may prefer wandering from village to village when in Mexico, many of my favorite spots can be found near water. In particular, I have come to love the beaches around Huatulco. Check out a few of these hidden gems in this article.

Mexico's Hidden Beaches

 

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Life Imitating Art

Strolling back from lunch at the Mercado Abelardo Rodriguez, I stumbled upon these recycling bins near the Plaza de Loreto. In the city's effort to become more "green", it also appears that they kept ascetics in mind when designing trash receptacles. Colorful, playful, and visually appealing bins encourage anyone in this neighborhood to recycle. I bet kids love to throw items into these containers. Jump on an Ecobici and start saving the planet!

 

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Springtime in Mexico City

Does anyone know the name of these beautiful, purple flowering trees? One sees them throughout the city this time of year. Walking around the Condesa neighborhood, this extraordinary plaza is just one of the attractions that grabbed my attention. While in DF, don't just visit the major tourist attractions. Be sure to take the time to simply walk around neighborhoods in order to glimpse life as Chilangos experience it. Better yet, rent an Ecobici and cruise around in style. On Sundays, many streets are closed to traffic giving bikes the full right of way.

 

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Plaza Santo Domingo

Plaza Santo Domingo

 

Just two blocks north of the cathedral and the Zocalo is one of my favorite squares in Mexico City - Plaza Santo Domingo. In addition to simply being a picturesque spot for sitting and watching people, this square is the spot to go to if you need anything printed from First Communion and wedding invitations to business cards. Further, the square is surrounded by historical buildings from the 16th century Iglesia de Santo Domingo, the Secretaría de Educación Pública (loaded with great Diego Rivera murals), and the Palacio de la Inquisición which served as the headquarters for the Holy Inquisition in Mexico in the 1700s.

Historical Drawing of the Plaza

 

 

 

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Ice Cream, Ice Cream, Who Wants Some Ice Cream?

San Jacinto Plaza

One of the wonderful things about visitings the parks and plazas is the rich array of things to eat. Who doesn't love ice cream? This vendor is selling a variety of flavors, all handmade. Vanilla and lime are familiar enough flavors, but queso (cheese) or Angel's Kiss. Be adventurous, get a scoop of two different ones you've never tried before. I'm a sucker for anything mango! But, tuna (not what you think) is also a killer flavor. More on that one later.

 

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The Small Churches Are The Most Beautiful!

 

One of my favorite things about traveling is simply strolling the streets and neighborhoods of a city without any particular destination in mind. While walking through San Angel, just a few steps away from Plaza San Jacinto, I came upon the Iglesia de San Jacinto. Thus small baroque church dates from the 16th century. Surrounded by peaceful gardens, it is the perfect setting for a few minutes of reflection or, as I found it, a popular location for Saturday weddings. Thus is also one of the few remaining neighborhoods in DF with cobblestone paved streets. No wonder Diego and Frida chose this area as home!

 

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A Day At The Office

Hungry?

On a typical Saturday on Plaza San Jacinto, this vendor of chips expects a busy day. One can get a nice size bag of chips for about $10MX or less than $1US. As you can see from the top of the cart, most Chilangos (what Mexico City residents call themselves) doctor up their snack with lime and salsa picante. My preference? Just plain old chips.

 

 

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Plaza Garibaldi

Plaza Garibaldi is festively decorated on any number of occasions. This plaza is the gathering spot for the Mexican musicians know as the mariachis. Nightly, group after group of mariachis stroll from cafe to cafe serenading tourists and locals alike. One can also find a nice glass of pulque at La Hermosa Hortencia (a very clean pulqueria you wouldn't mind taking your mother to). Although this neighborhood can be a bit sketchy late at night, it's easy enough to catch an authorized taxi back to your hotel after dinner.

 

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