Sunday, August 23, 2009

Glimpses of Mexico City on a Sunday

The grand boulevards and historic center of Mexico City are the equal of any of the world´s great cities. The Museum of Anthropology and other cultural institutions are first class. Cindy and I have visited several times.

About a fifth of the country´s population is packed into the Mexico City metropolitan area. Its population of 20 million is almost identical to the New York-Newark metropolitan area, although in an area about 10% smaller.

The density and intensity of the city make it both attractive and exhausting. This video shows some of the attractions.



The football match I attended in Aztec Stadium was between home team America and Atlas of Guadalajara. Fans are big on noisemakers like the big stadium horns. The crowd seemed no better or worse than what you would find at a U.S. sporting event. There was probably less drinking going on. The home side won, 2-1.

The stadium had hosted a crowd of 100,000 a few days earlier to see the Mexican national team beat the U.S.

The headlines about Mexico are all about deadly flu, drug violence, corruption and water shortages. This is a glimpse of the capital at leisure.

5 comments:

  1. Anonymous5:05 PM

    Aren't we so much alike, really? Enjoyed the video especially, Jimmy. Nancy

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  2. Yes, we want the same things for our kids -- a healthy, prosperous future, and some fun along the way.

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  3. Looks like it was a nice trip. Hope all is well with you. I got to have a very long phone conversation with Cindy while she was (and I think still is) here. Larry

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  4. Anonymous1:18 PM

    Jim, thank you so much for giving us this images. As a "chilanga", it's very important for me to spread this message: México -and México City- is not only violence, drugs and kidnapping. A vast majority of the people living there has nothing to do with that and they live their lives just like you said: trying to give their children a better life than theirs.
    Specially in México City there is so much to do for almost no money (including the subway that we see in your video, less than 20 cents for a one-way ride), and the people enjoy that. During the last twelve years my city has become in such a wonderful place to spend a day with your familiy, among historic buildings and beautiful landscapes, even for people who live with severe economic disadvantages.

    Thank you again, I'm glad you had the chance to visit my hometown (oh boy, I miss it...).

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  5. Every time I go I find something else to enjoy. The restaurants are fabulous.

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