A trip to Mexico City!!

We had been to a different country this week. It was a business trip for my husband, but i joined him to make it a pleasure trip :).Thought of sharing my Mexico city trip highlights and its tempting history.

México City is...the capital of México, very old, the worlds largest city, the financial, political and cultural center of México, the nightlife capital of México, one of the worlds great cities, huge, one of the world's most difficult cities to drive in, filled with exciting things to see and do, an energetic metropolis or just an incredible place to visit. It is set high in a Central American mountain valley.

Modern Mexico City is a sprawling behemoth whose sheer size and vivacious spirit can dizzy the newcomer. Flowers sellers tote their colorful baskets around the streets, all kinds of vendors peddle their goods everywhere you turn, and street performers sing, dance, play, juggle, swallow fire to get some applause and a few pesos(Mexican currency).

About the worth visiting places:

Plaza del zócalo: In many cities in Mexico, a zócalo is the main plaza or square, set in the heart of the town. This is unique to Mexico. Zócalo in Mexico City is 240 meters square, making it one of the largest city squares in the world. The plaza used to be known simply as the “Main Square” or “Arms Square,” however it is called the “Zócalo” today.

Metropolitan Cathedral: The Mexico City Zocalo is bordered by this Metropolitan Cathedral (Spanish: Catedral Metropolitana de laAsunción de María). It is the largest and oldest cathedral in the Americas. The cathedral was built in sections from 1573 to 1813. The cathedral has four facades. The two bell towers contain a total of 25 bells. Over the centuries, the cathedral has suffered damage. A fire in 1962 destroyed a significant part of the cathedral's interior. Its undoutedly a worth seeing place. It looks amazing in the night with the surrounding lights.

Palacio de Bellas Artes ("Palace of Fine Arts"): It is the premier opera house of Mexico City.The theatre is used for classical music, opera and dance. Construction of this massive neoclassical building began in 1904, the palace was not completed until 1934. It is the home of Mexico's National Symphony Orchestra, the Bellas Artes Orchestra, the Bellas Artes Chamber Orchestra, the National Dance Company, and the Bellas Artes Opera. Most of the world's great orchestras and dance companies have performed here.

Floating Gardens of Xochimilco: A highlight of any trip to Mexico City is a visit to the canals and gardens of Xochimilco. This place is known as Venice of Mexico city! The name Xochimilco means "flower field place”, the flowers that lined the streets of the city and its rooftop gardens took root here. It is pronounced as sotʃiˈmilko in Spanish. The touristed canals are lively, particularly on weekends. Boat ride is the speciality of this place.Brightly-colored, squarish boats carry up to a dozen passengers. There are always plenty of vendors (in smaller canoes) with food and drink, souvenirs, and music. Hire a floating mariachi band..Three songs for 200 pesos, they will entertain you with their music through out!

Basilica de Guadalupe: It is an important piligrimage site and is visited by several million people every year, especially around December 12th, Lady of Guadalupe's Feast day. The Basilica is considered as the second most important sanctuary of Catholicism just after the Vatican City. The modern basilica was built between 1974 and 1976. It can accomodate 50,000 people to take part in a mass or other ritual celebrations!

The Pyramids of Teotihuacan: One of the important places that we missed in our trip was the pyramids of Teotihuacan, a must-see when visiting Mexico City.The name means “place where gods were born,” echoing back the belief that the gods of the world created the universe here. The Teotihuacán Pyramid is the second largest in the New World (after the Great Pyramid of Cholula) .Teotihuacán history is an enthralling web of mystery.

If ever you get a chance to go to mexico city, do not miss the chance. We tried to cover most of the places in this short trip. Hope you liked my presentation and find this post informative.