Mexico City!

The bus was leaving central Valle de Bravo at 11:00am, but we were able to pick it up at nearby El Arco so that we wouldn't have to go into Valle de Bravo. It arrived there at 11:15am, and there were still quite a few empty seats.

Cost from El Arco to Mexico City's western Observatorio Bus Station was 295 pesos ($20.35 CAD, $14.50 USD) per person for the two hour trip.

Didn't take any photos out the bus window. We find that most Mexicans like to have the curtains drawn, and many people tend to sleep on the bus so we kept ours closed as well.

We got off the bus at Observatorio. Normally, we would take the metro (subway) to the old central historical district about 9 kms away, but the Observatorio metro station is closed due to an underground collapse. 

We decided to walk the 2 kms or so to Chapultapec Park and walk through the park to another station. We were due for some exercise anyhow, plus we couldn't get into our hotel room until after 3:00pm.

And, we needed some lunch.

This place will do!

Huaraches are a Mexico City dish. Made from an oval shaped corn tortilla, stuffed with beans and topped with any number of items... the ones we had yesterday were made with green hot salsa, chicken, and cheese. 

Delicious!

We had one each, plus a large fresh squeezed orange juice. Total bill was 135 pesos ($9.30 CAD, $6.65 USD) for the two of us.

Looking towards downtown.

Near Chapultapec Park.

There is a small amusement park there.

I have ZERO ambition to drive in Mexico City.

Nice statue.

Where are the 23 million people?

They must all be in their cars!

This dead tree dates back to the Azteks around 1450.

Fountain in the park.

Scenery along the way.

We were going to take the metro from the edge of the park, but I checked google maps, and due to underground delays, it was going to take almost the same amount of time as if we walked. So we decided to walk the entire distance. At least we weren't dragging our carry on bags... just a small backpack each.

There is some interesting architecture in Mexico City.

That is a big waterwall!

Stalls set up on the sidewalk.

Downtown Mexico City.

Beautiful mural!

We walked the entire 11 kms (6.8 miles) from the western bus station to our hotel in the old historic district! Our feet were done! But, you see so much more by walking in a city.

I got a fantastic deal on the room. 773 pesos ($53 CAD, $38 USD) per night with breakfast included!

Clean, but basic.

Big bathroom.

Considering we are walking distance from almost all the central sites, it's great.

The main reason we came to Mexico City is to meet my good friend Dave and his wife Helen. Dave was the best man at our wedding more than 40 years ago, and is one of the guys that I get together with at my guy's weekend away every September. They just happened to be in Mexico City and it was to close not to get together.

Sunset view from our hotel room.

We met at the Cafe De Tacuba restaurant.

It has been here for more than 100 years and is a popular eatery in the old historic area. We were here with a couple of the RV Caravan groups that we led. They have live mariachi music, and a varied menu to suit all tastes.

I had the enchiladas mixtas.

Kevin, Ruth, Helene, Dave.

Turn up your volume...

After dinner, we went for a walk through some of the historic district. We were all pretty tired though, so we will continue this afternoon. They fly back to Canada early Saturday morning, and we take the bus back to Valle de Bravo Saturday afternoon.

The interior of the old Mexico City Post Office.

And of course the magnificent Palacio de Bellas Artes.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Check out all the Black Friday deals at Amazon.com

And in Canada...

Black Friday deals at Amazon.ca.