Aztecs and Altitude: Getting High in Mexico City
Posted on March 19, 2008
Filed Under Travel
Located in a large valley in the high plateau of central Mexico, and sitting at an altitude of 2240m, Mexico City is one of the highest capitals on earth. Originally built by the Aztec civilisation in 1325, the city came close to complete destruction during the attack of 1521 by the Spanish conquistador Hernan Cortes, when he and his forces tried to capture the city; but ended up enduring a 79 day siege, which reduced most of the of Aztec city to rubble. After finally succeeding in capturing the city, it was rebuilt, and has continued to expand ever since. Today, it is the most populous city in Mexico with over 8 million inhabitants.
Today the city is a leading centre of popular culture and music, and as might be expected, Mexico City has an extremely vibrant and diverse nightlife. The music scene offers jazz clubs, all night parties, Mariachi music, Flamenco, Cuban and salsa clubs. For the more discerning, there is also opera, orchestra, and chamber music, plus plenty of dance clubs, rock and roll bars and Broadway-style theatre shows.
Mexico City is famous for being one of the world’s most difficult cities to drive in due to the hectic traffic, congested roads and drivers who seem to play by their own rules. So rather than hire a car, it’s best to take a licensed cab; one of the classic green and white VW Beatles that make up most of the city’s taxi fleet is a must.
If your time in Mexico City time is limited, why not start your day off in Condesa, the bohemian enclave just west of the centre, where you’ll find quaint cafes and plenty of people-watching on offer. Then head to the indigenous street market and take in the hustle and bustle of locals shopping for everything from poblano pepper to mangoes and mutton. After the crowds of the market, the Bosque de Chapultepec - a city forest - is a good place to seek some solace and take a break from the throng of people. Hotels in Mexico city range from cheap and cheerful hostels, to the most lavish and luxury five star abodes, so there’s something to suit all budgets.
Like most large cities in developing countries, Mexico City is a place of great contrasts: shiny sky scrapers loom over upmarket cafes and restaurants full of wealthy upper class Mexicans; yet there is also the poverty and rancid smells from open sewers in the shanties, and there is always risk of crime if you don’t follow sensible precautions.
However, most travellers describe Mexico City as an assault on the senses, and with so much colour and noise, it’s a place pumped full of energy and somewhere that visitors will never get bored of.
