The rest of the story.... we're back home.
28 November 2024
We wrapped up our Mexico trip 13 November after about three weeks in Queretaro. As mentioned in my blog update here, Queretaro is a familiar place and thus we can more comfortably navigate the areas we've walked in the past. Weather was great, though temps were unseasonably warm.
I think we stayed in four different Airbnbs offering differing views or experiences. A couple of things I could add to the list of observations I made below: 1) In addition to no ac or heat I'd mentioned below, many apartments you rent won't have hot water either. Those that do typically have these on-demand heaters, which would be fine, except we didn't find even one that would run hot water longer than a couple of minutes. Net result is that you're constantly messing with water adjustments to get a shower done. 2) I did eat me some dried grasshoppers, munching a couple just to get the taste (nothing special but tastes a bit salted, perhaps?) and a couple of scoops on my meal. I did not die, imagine that.
We have much to be thankful for again this year (as every year). Hard to think that another year is coming to an end. Planning our next trip.
We wrapped up our Mexico trip 13 November after about three weeks in Queretaro. As mentioned in my blog update here, Queretaro is a familiar place and thus we can more comfortably navigate the areas we've walked in the past. Weather was great, though temps were unseasonably warm.
I think we stayed in four different Airbnbs offering differing views or experiences. A couple of things I could add to the list of observations I made below: 1) In addition to no ac or heat I'd mentioned below, many apartments you rent won't have hot water either. Those that do typically have these on-demand heaters, which would be fine, except we didn't find even one that would run hot water longer than a couple of minutes. Net result is that you're constantly messing with water adjustments to get a shower done. 2) I did eat me some dried grasshoppers, munching a couple just to get the taste (nothing special but tastes a bit salted, perhaps?) and a couple of scoops on my meal. I did not die, imagine that.
We have much to be thankful for again this year (as every year). Hard to think that another year is coming to an end. Planning our next trip.
A few more shots of interesting sites from around the city. I have to comment on the Sears picture. Remember that Sears that went bankrupt in the U.S.? Well, this Sears in Queretaro has to be the largest Sears I've ever seen..... like four spacious levels in a mall. Was kinda happy to see that.
24 October 2024
Well, let's try this again. I had written the content of some 7 or 8 observations I made while in Mexico City and my website provider decided I needed to re-login and lost everything in the process. So, I'll publish frequently so as to not lose everything.
Anyhow, I'll start with an initial list of observations and try not to lose it before publishing them.
1) We're in our last Airbnb location in La Condesa, and looking out our apartment window, I see office towers with names like Deloitte (a Big 4 global accounting firm), Ritz-Carlton (hotels), BBVA (Spanish bank), and a New York Life.
2) Outside our window is a 6 lane highway Bicentenario (3 in each direction), with 3 lane service roads on each side. So, a busy artery. Of the three lanes, motorcycles create lanes on the white lines separating vehicle lanes, making these a 5 lane road each direction.... This behavior is common in many parts of the world. Motorcycles avoid a lot of the traffic jams by simple going between cars. It is a hazard for us walkers as you need to check not only cars that may be stopped, but also for motorcycles cruising in between lanes.
3) Coffee shops. I cannot believe the number of coffee shops. There can be a couple every block. Rarely see more than one or two tables used. It tells me that these places are important social spaces for people to meet, share a cup and dessert. Can't imagine most of them earning a profit.
4) Many small restaurants with spaces holding no more than six small tables inside, and most offering more or less the same Mexican menu. Also, lots of places with open-air, street-side booths selling foods and others cooking food. I'm tempted to try some, but will wait until Queretaro as i can't afford a bad reaction to street vendor food. Trust me, there are no health inspectors checking these out. But, ummmm, they smell good and I have to try these sausages or tortillas and and....
5) Very happy to find very few mosquitoes outside, which makes sitting in open-air cafes pleasant.
6) Most apartments/homes don't have heat, except for portable space/room heaters. Much the same with air conditioning for summer. This is the same In Queretaro as these high elevation cities have relatively mild temps most of the time. Winter temps range from 40ish (+/-) lows at night in winter to 70s during day, 50s-60s at night in summer to mid-80s during summer. And, humidity is generally very low, so pretty comfortable. It is uncomfortably chilly in the mornings though.
7) Ultraviolet rays are intense and it is easy to sun burn here due to elevation.
8) Language can be an issue but hardly an overwhelming one most of the time. My Spanish is very mediocre and it hasn't helped that I don't speak any for long periods of time between travel dates. Most locals speak at least some English and I can put together some Spanish, throw in some sign language, and we're good to go. Type or speak into Google translate if needed. It is an adventure, nonetheless, and frustrating at the same time.
9) There are a lot of green spaces, and large ones, throughout the city, but especially in the city center areas we hung out.
10) I had some odd meals here. I enjoyed a very tasty meal of hog cheeks (yes, from the face below the eyes of the hog head) over mashed potatoes with a dark gravy. I also had a two-inch thick steak covered in a worm sauce. I still need to try some of those insect delicacies I mentioned in my earlier post below.
Well, let's try this again. I had written the content of some 7 or 8 observations I made while in Mexico City and my website provider decided I needed to re-login and lost everything in the process. So, I'll publish frequently so as to not lose everything.
Anyhow, I'll start with an initial list of observations and try not to lose it before publishing them.
1) We're in our last Airbnb location in La Condesa, and looking out our apartment window, I see office towers with names like Deloitte (a Big 4 global accounting firm), Ritz-Carlton (hotels), BBVA (Spanish bank), and a New York Life.
2) Outside our window is a 6 lane highway Bicentenario (3 in each direction), with 3 lane service roads on each side. So, a busy artery. Of the three lanes, motorcycles create lanes on the white lines separating vehicle lanes, making these a 5 lane road each direction.... This behavior is common in many parts of the world. Motorcycles avoid a lot of the traffic jams by simple going between cars. It is a hazard for us walkers as you need to check not only cars that may be stopped, but also for motorcycles cruising in between lanes.
3) Coffee shops. I cannot believe the number of coffee shops. There can be a couple every block. Rarely see more than one or two tables used. It tells me that these places are important social spaces for people to meet, share a cup and dessert. Can't imagine most of them earning a profit.
4) Many small restaurants with spaces holding no more than six small tables inside, and most offering more or less the same Mexican menu. Also, lots of places with open-air, street-side booths selling foods and others cooking food. I'm tempted to try some, but will wait until Queretaro as i can't afford a bad reaction to street vendor food. Trust me, there are no health inspectors checking these out. But, ummmm, they smell good and I have to try these sausages or tortillas and and....
5) Very happy to find very few mosquitoes outside, which makes sitting in open-air cafes pleasant.
6) Most apartments/homes don't have heat, except for portable space/room heaters. Much the same with air conditioning for summer. This is the same In Queretaro as these high elevation cities have relatively mild temps most of the time. Winter temps range from 40ish (+/-) lows at night in winter to 70s during day, 50s-60s at night in summer to mid-80s during summer. And, humidity is generally very low, so pretty comfortable. It is uncomfortably chilly in the mornings though.
7) Ultraviolet rays are intense and it is easy to sun burn here due to elevation.
8) Language can be an issue but hardly an overwhelming one most of the time. My Spanish is very mediocre and it hasn't helped that I don't speak any for long periods of time between travel dates. Most locals speak at least some English and I can put together some Spanish, throw in some sign language, and we're good to go. Type or speak into Google translate if needed. It is an adventure, nonetheless, and frustrating at the same time.
9) There are a lot of green spaces, and large ones, throughout the city, but especially in the city center areas we hung out.
10) I had some odd meals here. I enjoyed a very tasty meal of hog cheeks (yes, from the face below the eyes of the hog head) over mashed potatoes with a dark gravy. I also had a two-inch thick steak covered in a worm sauce. I still need to try some of those insect delicacies I mentioned in my earlier post below.
We visited a couple of museums, took in the historical center and walked a lot in parks, which are large and abundant in the city center, and wandered around neighborhoods and local markets.
1) Museo Nacional de Anthropologia. This is a large collection of human history from the different regions of Mexico. Think Mayans, Aztecs, and much more. I'm generally not a big fan of museums. I can only look at so many painted pots, bones and crude statues before I've had enough. However, it was a lot to take in there and these early civilizations were quite developed and sophisticated. I didn't take pictures as it was simply so much to take in.
2) El Castillo de Chapultepec (Chapultepec Castle) is one of "the only royal palaces in North America which were inhabited by monarchs" (Wikipedia link). Now this was an interesting visit to me. The views were impressive as it is located on a hill overlooking the city and the rooms display original rooms and furnishings of the era. I can see it out my window as I type this.
1) Museo Nacional de Anthropologia. This is a large collection of human history from the different regions of Mexico. Think Mayans, Aztecs, and much more. I'm generally not a big fan of museums. I can only look at so many painted pots, bones and crude statues before I've had enough. However, it was a lot to take in there and these early civilizations were quite developed and sophisticated. I didn't take pictures as it was simply so much to take in.
2) El Castillo de Chapultepec (Chapultepec Castle) is one of "the only royal palaces in North America which were inhabited by monarchs" (Wikipedia link). Now this was an interesting visit to me. The views were impressive as it is located on a hill overlooking the city and the rooms display original rooms and furnishings of the era. I can see it out my window as I type this.
3) Monumento a la Revolucion. The Mexican Revolution (around 1910-1920) was a defining series of events in Mexican history. We went to the top of this monument, partially by elevator and a quite a hike to the top by staircase for a great view of the city. Then there were the 100s of steps down, no elevator. Wooohooo! That taxed the legs. Linked here.
One of the most recognized landmarks of Mexico City is the Monumento a la Independencia (also known as the Angel of Independence). It's linked here. To enlarge pictures, double-click on image to see full/larger picture (better on laptop than cellphones).
Palacio de Bellas Artes (Palace of Fine Arts) was right across the street from our second apartment, also anchored a larger park called Alameda Central Park. This park also included a monument to Mexican statesman Benito Juárez (linked and on the right).
Monuments seem to have been walled off from close, unhindered views, apparently to protect them from graffiti.
Monuments seem to have been walled off from close, unhindered views, apparently to protect them from graffiti.
Parade of Alebrijes. We happened to be in a prime location for weekend events, one of which was this annual parade. We were out walking and came across the huge parade. It was so long it must have gone on for a couple hours. Participants included high school bands, different groups representing traditional dress, a lot of groups dressed in what we'd call Halloween attire (masks, costumes, etc.), and floats. It was really about the floats. Read details here. Below are a few pics of the event, especially focused on the unique floats. News article (linked below) said 180 floats were involved in parade and over 600,000 attended the parade. The floats were later on display and for judging down toward the Angel of Independence roundabout area.
After the parade, we came back to our apartment and outside our window were follow up parades and such. One was a kind of Halloween/All Saints Day type of parade where anyone with a costume could walk down the street and show off their costume. The news article is here.
This was followed by an even weirder parade of dog owners of Pugs! Had to be a hundred or more dogs. I kid you not. Pics of both below. Crowds numbered in the 10,000s, so mob outside our apartment for awhile.
This was followed by an even weirder parade of dog owners of Pugs! Had to be a hundred or more dogs. I kid you not. Pics of both below. Crowds numbered in the 10,000s, so mob outside our apartment for awhile.
Okay, not to wear you out, I have a couple interesting pics to round out my discussion today. The first image is one of the open-air booths or kiosks with food cooked up. Smells so good. Then the next pic of rental bikes is self-explanatory, but only to say there are a lot of these in downtown areas. Then the third is a centralized kitchen for restaurants/fastfood, which cook only for delivery. Inside here are about a 6-10 kitchens for each of the restaurants represented and they just cook what people order online or by phone. These have popped in the U.S. as well, but we just happened upon this one.
Finally, squirrels. I've never seen squirrels like this. I've seen red, grey, and black squirrels in the U.S., but never these critters - which are everywhere.
Finally, squirrels. I've never seen squirrels like this. I've seen red, grey, and black squirrels in the U.S., but never these critters - which are everywhere.
That's all for now.
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17 October 2024
After a rather long hiatus from travel, my wife Inga and I put together a rather hasty trip to Mexico City and Queretaro from 10 October to 13 November 2024. Part of my motivation for putting this page together is to showcase a few things for my international business students.
Mexico City
Very briefly, Ciudad de Mexico is the capital of Mexico and has an estimated population of 22 million residents. The city rests at an elevation of around 8,500 feet (5,280 ft is a mile), so it is well above a mile and a half above sea level.
The days here this time of year have fortunately been sunny and with moderate breezes most of the time and temperatures running in the low-to-mid 70s during day and upper 40s to low 50s at night. Visiting here requires a bit of an adjustment due to elevation, very low humidity/dew points and high pollen levels. Except for the pollen, the climate is one of the key attractions of visiting here and allows you to walk around during midday and not even sweat.
Where Are We Living
Our visit here is for about two weeks, so one must obviously focus as there is way to much to see otherwise. Our focus is on the higher-end and safer neighborhoods like Polanco and La Condesa, as well as some time near Centro, the latter being the historical district. These areas are close to the central historical districts, large open markets and great parks to enjoy.
I'll post pictures below.
Queretaro
We'll spend a little over two weeks in Queretaro, which we've visited a number of times. We now have a fair idea as to what we're doing there as a result. It is about 2 - 2 1/2 hours by car from Mexico City. We'll probably Uber there for about USD100.
Like Mexico City, it is a highland city with an elevation of over 6,000 feet. For some of my thoughts on Queretaro, you can read a post on my blog HERE.
Below are maps of Mexico City and the locations we've chosen to focus on in the city.
After a rather long hiatus from travel, my wife Inga and I put together a rather hasty trip to Mexico City and Queretaro from 10 October to 13 November 2024. Part of my motivation for putting this page together is to showcase a few things for my international business students.
Mexico City
Very briefly, Ciudad de Mexico is the capital of Mexico and has an estimated population of 22 million residents. The city rests at an elevation of around 8,500 feet (5,280 ft is a mile), so it is well above a mile and a half above sea level.
The days here this time of year have fortunately been sunny and with moderate breezes most of the time and temperatures running in the low-to-mid 70s during day and upper 40s to low 50s at night. Visiting here requires a bit of an adjustment due to elevation, very low humidity/dew points and high pollen levels. Except for the pollen, the climate is one of the key attractions of visiting here and allows you to walk around during midday and not even sweat.
Where Are We Living
Our visit here is for about two weeks, so one must obviously focus as there is way to much to see otherwise. Our focus is on the higher-end and safer neighborhoods like Polanco and La Condesa, as well as some time near Centro, the latter being the historical district. These areas are close to the central historical districts, large open markets and great parks to enjoy.
I'll post pictures below.
Queretaro
We'll spend a little over two weeks in Queretaro, which we've visited a number of times. We now have a fair idea as to what we're doing there as a result. It is about 2 - 2 1/2 hours by car from Mexico City. We'll probably Uber there for about USD100.
Like Mexico City, it is a highland city with an elevation of over 6,000 feet. For some of my thoughts on Queretaro, you can read a post on my blog HERE.
Below are maps of Mexico City and the locations we've chosen to focus on in the city.
Business-Related Observations
I enjoy visiting certain aspects of developing countries such as Mexico. There is this mix of modern and new business markets with traditional markets. I've grabbed one slide to capture the presence of global companies. It was a shot of convenience and not reflective of all the international businesses that have HQs here.
NOTE: On all images, just click on them if you want a bigger view. Then click ESC to return to page.
I enjoy visiting certain aspects of developing countries such as Mexico. There is this mix of modern and new business markets with traditional markets. I've grabbed one slide to capture the presence of global companies. It was a shot of convenience and not reflective of all the international businesses that have HQs here.
NOTE: On all images, just click on them if you want a bigger view. Then click ESC to return to page.
Some American Brands
As you would expect, there are many American brands operating in Mexico. Fast food and full-serve restaurants, of course, like Chilis, KFC, McDonalds, Carls Jr, Starbucks, Chuck.E Cheese (beside a Starbucks?), Burger King, Pizza Hut, Cici's, on and on.
There are the big brands, such as Walmart Express, Sam's Club, Home Depot, Office Depot, Petco, even a Sears. In fact, in Polanco, we were within walking distance of two Walmart Express stores (which seem about the same size as Neighborhood Markets format).
Couple of observations. One, we were going to eat at a KFC, but the customer ratings were something like 2.9. Service was horrible. Same too for BK, I think. So, skipped that. Second, we ate at Chili's and it served VERY mediocre food quality. Service was good. Prices were largely Fort Smith, AR prices.
As you would expect, there are many American brands operating in Mexico. Fast food and full-serve restaurants, of course, like Chilis, KFC, McDonalds, Carls Jr, Starbucks, Chuck.E Cheese (beside a Starbucks?), Burger King, Pizza Hut, Cici's, on and on.
There are the big brands, such as Walmart Express, Sam's Club, Home Depot, Office Depot, Petco, even a Sears. In fact, in Polanco, we were within walking distance of two Walmart Express stores (which seem about the same size as Neighborhood Markets format).
Couple of observations. One, we were going to eat at a KFC, but the customer ratings were something like 2.9. Service was horrible. Same too for BK, I think. So, skipped that. Second, we ate at Chili's and it served VERY mediocre food quality. Service was good. Prices were largely Fort Smith, AR prices.
Local Markets
This is always the most enjoyable part of a trip to me, that being a visit to the local 'mercados'. They're crowded, noisy, and full of energy as vendors are hawking services and wares and shoppers navigate the cars, bikes, and crowd to accomplish their tasks. There isn't really anything like them in the U.S., as far as I know. They range from open air type booths set up to sell food - cooked, prepackaged or fresh - and others selling services and seemingly endless products. It's amazing.
Need an obscure part to repair your washer or dryer? It's probably there. No waiting on an internet delivery to see if it is the right part.
I'll start below with a VERY SMALL sample of pics of non-food stuff. One stall may only focus on electric appliance parts, like a washer/dryer. Another may focus on electrical switches and outlets. On and on.
One other note on these retail product sellers; the lower right photo below is one shot I took in a 4 or 5 story building filled with small retail stalls selling every thing electronics and accessory related. It is a pic of two shops selling only cell phone cases. I'd estimate that half the stores (of which there were probably 75-100 in this one building) were only or largely selling these cases! Virtually endless variations of these. I suspect that a portion of the business for these shops is selling to smaller street vendors at some discount for volume. it was mind boggling.
Other shops sold cell phones, chargers, and every imaginable accessory for small tech stuff. This was only one building.... we checked out others with much of the same inventory.
This is always the most enjoyable part of a trip to me, that being a visit to the local 'mercados'. They're crowded, noisy, and full of energy as vendors are hawking services and wares and shoppers navigate the cars, bikes, and crowd to accomplish their tasks. There isn't really anything like them in the U.S., as far as I know. They range from open air type booths set up to sell food - cooked, prepackaged or fresh - and others selling services and seemingly endless products. It's amazing.
Need an obscure part to repair your washer or dryer? It's probably there. No waiting on an internet delivery to see if it is the right part.
I'll start below with a VERY SMALL sample of pics of non-food stuff. One stall may only focus on electric appliance parts, like a washer/dryer. Another may focus on electrical switches and outlets. On and on.
One other note on these retail product sellers; the lower right photo below is one shot I took in a 4 or 5 story building filled with small retail stalls selling every thing electronics and accessory related. It is a pic of two shops selling only cell phone cases. I'd estimate that half the stores (of which there were probably 75-100 in this one building) were only or largely selling these cases! Virtually endless variations of these. I suspect that a portion of the business for these shops is selling to smaller street vendors at some discount for volume. it was mind boggling.
Other shops sold cell phones, chargers, and every imaginable accessory for small tech stuff. This was only one building.... we checked out others with much of the same inventory.
Food Stalls
Then, there are the food stalls involved in prepping foods, selling packaged (or custom order), to cooked foods - all on the same street. Love these places.
Couple of things to note in the pics below: One, the chicken processors will start with what appears to be 10 or 15 bags filled with what I estimate are some 20 whole chickens that have been plucked. These shops finish prep by final cleaning of feathers and cutting them into various sizes. These are sold in pieces, quarters, halves or whole to other vendors who sell or cook and sell chicken.
Second, you see the broad selection of fish, poultry and all meats and processed meats (sausages, etc) and cheeses.
Finally, I wanted to point out the insects you can buy for eating.... yes, scorpions, tarantulas, bugs, large and small. Didn't buy any:)
Then, there are the food stalls involved in prepping foods, selling packaged (or custom order), to cooked foods - all on the same street. Love these places.
Couple of things to note in the pics below: One, the chicken processors will start with what appears to be 10 or 15 bags filled with what I estimate are some 20 whole chickens that have been plucked. These shops finish prep by final cleaning of feathers and cutting them into various sizes. These are sold in pieces, quarters, halves or whole to other vendors who sell or cook and sell chicken.
Second, you see the broad selection of fish, poultry and all meats and processed meats (sausages, etc) and cheeses.
Finally, I wanted to point out the insects you can buy for eating.... yes, scorpions, tarantulas, bugs, large and small. Didn't buy any:)
