i'm saying goodbye to fake banana. although some great fun(ny) posts were made here i can't help but decide that it's time to move on. i feel like sometimes all blogs do is make you want more than you thought you wanted or sometimes make your brain decide that you need something you never needed.

perhaps one day i'll shake all that and transform my blog into a different format but for now...adios.

happy 2011!

12 days of México

#7 New Year's Eve

"If you are looking for the biggest Mexico New Years celebration, it will be found in Mexico City. From Zocalo, the city's main square, the route to the Palacio de Bellas Artes will be closed down, as will part of the Paseo de la Reforma Boulevard. In the afternoon, music will begin to fill the air as bands play on the various stages set up along this route. Hordes of people will be out to enjoy the festivities, most likely with a drink in hand, awaiting the excitement of midnight. After a long fireworks session, the party continues, and it doesn't stop until well into the early morning hours. Especially along the Paseo de la Reforma, the atmosphere is carnival-like. In addition to the energy that the bands bring, various dancers and floats make their way about this stretch, making you wonder if you were somehow transported to New Years in Rio De Janiero without your knowing it."

We will report back later with video and pictures that will have hopefully captured it all.

12 days of México

#8 Mezcalerias

Mezcal is my friend. It can be yours too. Like a fine cigar or any high end liquor, you want to sip and not shoot. Mezcal comes from the maguey plant, a plant that thrives in the state of Oaxaca and is the main producing region for this smokey liquor. No, mezcal does not have a worm in it...in fact any liquor with a worm at the bottom means its a bad quality liquor and like any terrible alcohol, if over consumed you will get ill.

In Mexico City, mezcalerias (bars that specialize in mezcal) are very popular amongst the hipsters. In the neighborhood of Condesa we look forward to returning to one bar in particular called La Botica. You can get a beer for a $1.60 and a mezcal shot for as little as $3 or less. There are a few others that I want to visit in other neighborhoods but I just loved the coziness of La Botica's storefront...no bigger than my living room and open to the street but fits enough tables for all the cool kids to have a drink and relax.


La Botica - Colonia Condesa, D.F.

12 days of México

#9 Salón Los Angeles

I'm reallllly excited to visit this dance hall. I've read to expect a flashback to 1950's-60's México, where every man is wearing a hat, and every woman is wearing a lovely dress, and a Cuban orchestra plays the hits. The club is known for it's special danzón dance nights, a dance that is original to Cuba but is currently more popular in Ciudad de México than it's birth place. The Plaza Ciudadela hosts a spectacular showing of couples who practice the danzon every Saturday afternoon. I want to show up for a quick lesson so Brian and I are ready to shuffle with the old folks at Salón Los Angeles.

12 days of México

#10 Xochilmilco

Now I am not sure if Xochilmilco (cho-chill-mil-co), let’s call it Xochil for short, is a barrio or another city. I do know that this place is south of Coyoacan and therefore south of the city center of D.F. This area is made of canals and waterways that date back to an ancient Aztec lake. The canals nowadays are used for floating down the river in festive, colorful boats called trajineras. The weekends are said to be the busiest time and the most fun. The boats can be rented privately or you can hop on one with a bunch of strangers. The trajineras can be pulled over to the docks to pick up mariachis and food and drink vendors.

12 days of México

#11 Parque México
1. it's a park
2. bars and restaurants surround the green space

This park in the barrio of Condesa, the same neighborhood where we will live for about 20 days, is a great spot to sit down, relax and watch. The bars and restaurants around the park are really sweet too, lots of sidewalk cafes and outdoor dining. One time we walked through the park to find a dog school in session. It was so cute! Thirty dogs all sitting, pawing, and lying down at the same time. And the weather? The temperature in D.F. during our stay will range from about 70-75 degrees during the day and dip down the low 40's at night. Very similiar to our best summer days in Seattle but I'll take it as long as the sun is shining.


Brian at Parque México December 2009

12 days of México

#12 Coyoacan
- Coyoacan is one of sixteen barrios in Mexico City (or Distrito Federal aka D.F.). It's a beautiful neighborhood that contains much of its original colonial era architecture, narrow streets, and lush green plazas. On our last trip to Mexico City, we visited Coyoacan but only to visit the house of one of its most famous residents, Frida Kahlo. This time around I hope to spend a couple of days around the neighborhood and taking in its quaint bohemian vibe with more photo taking, shopping, drinking, and general gallivanting. Drinking cafe at a spot called Cafe El Jarocho is popular amongst the locals. A cappuccino costs M$7 (about .56cents USD). You can stand with your drink at the high tables or take it to the curbside benches adjacent to the storefront.


Parroquia de San Juan Bautista, built in 1592 - Coyoacan, Mexico City

the countdown begins.