Five days. Four nights. That was all that it took for me to fall in love with Mexico City. The second I hopped into a taxi I felt transported. Adobe buildings in a variety of vibrant yellows, oranges, pinks, and reds lined the streets. The scents of savory meats, fiery sauces, and fresh fruit filled my nose. My head was out the window, soaking up the scents and sights, the sun warm against my skin. I had entered a whole new world, leaving behind the dreary dark and cold of New England.
This vacation was not one that involved relaxing at an all-inclusive resort on the beach but was rather one during which we wanted to explore. Walking along the streets, I found food vendors on every corner. Tacos, tostadas, tamales, elote (corn on the cob), and more were being prepared, steam rising from the small carts. As I turned the next corner, there was an old woman selling large cups of perfectly ripe and fresh papaya, watermelon, mango, and other tropical fruits cut up into small pieces, with a small fork to be eaten as you walk through the city. As I wandered, I was amazed by the sights: art came in the form of famous sculptures, like the El Ángel de la Independencia, and stunning murals painted on the exteriors of random buildings covered the city in beautiful colors. Towering trees were along every street, bringing nature into a busy city and acting as a natural source of shade when the temperatures rose to the high-70s and mid-80s during the afternoon. From the many parks, small lakes, and stunning architecture, Mexico City was brimming with beauty and served as a feast for my eyes and my mouth. I was sure to not only eat my weight in tacos and fresh fruit but also to drink ounces upon ounces of agua de jamaica (hibiscus flower water), agua de tamarindo (tamarind water), and my personal favorite, horchata (rice water flavored with cinnamon and vanilla). At night, the city transformed from a vibrant oasis to an illuminated masterpiece, with monuments like the Monumento a la Revolución and buildings like the Palacio de Bellas Artes beautifully lit. When we wanted a sit-down restaurant, we headed to the municipality of Coyoacán, where there were formal restaurants and variety of markets with traditional clothing, souvenirs, and, as in typical Mexican fashion, food (and lots of it).
After experiencing first-hand how wonderful Mexico City is, how welcoming and kind-hearted its people are, how amazing its food, and intriguing its history, it greatly disheartens me to see how the media twists reality into a nightmare. When I told people that I was going to Mexico, not to Cancún or the resorts, but to Mexico City, a question I often received was: why? Why are you going there? Isn’t it dangerous and corrupt? At first, I was irritated by the people who responded with these questions, and I didn’t understand why they didn’t understand. How could they be so narrow-minded? However, when I looked at some of the top headlines reading “Mexican Activist Murdered” and “Can Mexico Defeat the Drug Cartels,” I started to realize why some friends and family members seemed concerned. The media continually portrays the negatives, and President Trump is not making things any better with his tweets and quotes of: “They’re bringing drugs. They’re bringing crime. They’re rapists.” When the news is only promoting the negative, hiding the reality of how wonderful the country truly is, how could one not assume the worst? I hope, through my experience, that others will look past the top headlines and exaggerations. After my quick trip, I can confidently say that Mexico has become one of my favorite places I have visited in the world, and I hope that you look past the news and at reality. Learn some Spanish, pack your bags, and get on a plane. In a mere 6 hours, you will have arrived at one of the greatest places on Earth and will go on a trip you will never forget.