**** I though I'd give you all a break from those really long Islay posts and do a couple on our recent trip to CDMX. I've posted on two of the places several times; so perhaps skipping down to our tour of the Museo Nacional de Antropologia might be worthwhile?
Yes, I know we'd already been to Mexico and CDMX earlier in the year. But the Missus had enjoyed that trip so much, San Miguel de Allende and especially Guanajuato was so much fun, that the Missus wanted to do another trip. This time to Oaxaca. However while Volaris, has 2 direct flights from TIJ, well, we really don't like flying Volaris. So, we decided that a layover would be fine one way and we'd go ahead and spend two nights in Mexico City. As a plus, I knew the Missus loved our visit to the Museo Nacional de Antropologia, though it was quite overwhelming, so I booked us a private tour. She was excited about that!
Getting in was the same 'ol routine. We stayed at the same place as on the last three trips. It was quite simple and easy. Like I said, we now had kind of a routine if you will. After checking in, we headed to Tout Chocolate so the Missus could get Her chocolates and some gifts.
Choosing Her chocolates was one of Her most difficult decisions of the trip.
Tout Chocolat
Amsterdam 154
6100 Cuauhtémoc, CDMX, Mexico
In keeping with the routine, we had dinner at a place I've posted on three times already, Pasillo de Humo. So, I'll spare you all the gory details. I will say, that unlike our last visit we weren't misted by vinegar to prevent Covid this time around.
We have an approach that works for us at Pasillo de Humo. We've learned to stay away from the entrees and go for smaller plates.
And we enjoy the cocktails as well.
Two of our favorite dishes, the Memelitas de Cerdo and the Hoya Santa Relleno, were good as always.
But this time we found something we enjoyed even more; the Tripas Tacos!
The pork intestines were fried perfectly; crisp and light……the texture was amazing!
One other reason that I purposely chose to revisit Pasillo de Humo was that we were headed to Oaxaca and I was interested in seeing how the food at our favorite restaurant in CDMX lined up.
Pasillo de Humo
Av Nuevo León 107
06100 Cuauhtémoc, CDMX, Mexico
It was a nice and relaxing start to things. Though I did notice many more "tourists/ex-pats" here then I recalled. And then I started reading articles like this one.
The next morning, before heading to the Museum, we decided to get a croissant from our favorite bakery in the area, but changed our mind when we noticed this place sold croissants and thought we'd try it out.
We then headed on over to Cafe Toscano, our usual morning coffee stop.
Unfortunately, the croissant was overly doughy and lacked the butteriness we like in our croissants.
Fonda Garufa
Avenida Michoacán 93
06140 Cuauhtémoc, CDMX, Mexico
Creatures of habit that we are; we had our typical morning coffee at Cafe Toscano.
Nothing amazing mind you, but a nice way to start the day.
Cafe Toscano
Calle Michoacan sn Mercado Condesa
Hipódromo Condesa, Cuauhtémoc, CDMX, Mexico
After our caffeine fix we headed out to the Museum. As always, it was a fine walk.
We had really enjoyed our previous visit to the Museo Nacional de Antropologia, so I went ahead and booked a private tour with Mexico a Pie Walking Tours.
Our guide was Andres and he was amazing. The tour was so full of info!
We met Andres at the Tlaloc Statue that sits outside the museum on the corner of Reforma.
Andres met us and after introductions and an overview of what was going to be covered in the tour today, he went over Tlaloc, the Aztec god of water and rain. He noted the key features, the round eyes, the fangs and said that we'd be seeing several different status of Tlaloc during our visit and that many folks think it's of a different go, but keep in mind the key features and it's easy to identify.
Andres covered exactly what we were interested in; the Archaic to the Contact Period. It was so much info; I'm just going to go over a couple of things that really stuck with us.
Andres quizzed us as we moved along the museum.
And yep, if you're thinking that's Tlaloc above, you'd be right. Check out the eyes and the fangs!
Another interesting story was that of King Pakal of Palenque (K'inich Janaab' Pakal). It is claimed that Pakal ruled for nearly 70 years and in 1952 a tomb was opened in the Temple of Inscriptions in Palenque. In it was found a skeleton with an intricate jade mask and clothed as you see to the right. The actual jade mask can be found close by in a replica of the tomb.
We got to another interesting topic was when I asked Andres if Jade was actually found in Mexico and he told us that items like Jade, Turquoise, and Cacao which are not endemic to Mexico. We were then brought to this map which detailed how trade occurred between different peoples!
Turquoise actually came from what is now the American Southwest! Cacao and Jade from what is now Guatemala.
Andres went over the amazing Aztec Codex with us.
And even dispelled a couple of things we thought were true; like this famous object; the Aztec Sun Stone, which many people believe is a just a calendar.
It is now believed that the stone is actually a sacrificial altar! Here's something I read after returning from our trip.
It was an amazing nearly four hour experience, with so much information that I've forgotten more than I remember; but those few items stick with me. And we just covered half the museum! I guess we'll have to get the other half done the next time we're in CDMX!
Museo Nacional de Antropologia
Avenida Paseo de la Reforma y Calzada Gandhi s/n
Chapultepec, Mexico City 11560, Mexico
After the tour we took a short break and then we were off. It was time for a taco crawl!
Stay Tuned!