Cultural Immersion: Mexico City (Mexico)
▪ The country (United Mexican States/ Mexico)
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| Mexico flag – Read more |
Mexico is a country between the U.S. and Central America that’s known for its Pacific and Gulf of Mexico beaches and its diverse landscape of mountains, deserts and jungles. Ancient ruins such as Teotihuacan (Aztec) and Chichen Itza (Mayan) are scattered throughout the country, as are Spanish colonial-era towns.
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| Mexico map – Read more |
Mexico City is the capital of Mexico and it’s considered a charming and very versatile city. Magnificent buildings and museums, old churches and green parks that seem to spread peace border with lively and too noisy streets.
▪ Tourist spots
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▪ Castillo de Chapultepec
Castillo de Chapultepec was built between 1780 and 1790 on the site of an Aztec fort. The castle provides beautiful panoramic views of the city. Initially, the building was occupied by Military Academy, and then it served as an official royal residence. In 1939, by order of President Cardenas, the castle became the location of the National History Museum (Museo Nacional de Historia). (Read more)
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▪ Palace of Fine Arts.
The construction of the Palace of Fine Arts (Palacio de Bellas Artes) was started in 1904, made as a combination of the neoclassical style and Art Nouveau and the interior is made in the art deco style. Fans of art will be definitely not disappointed by murals made by Rivera, Siqueiros, Orozco, Tamayo and Montenegro. The glass curtain by Tiffany also deserves a special attention. The curtain is made of almost a million parts. Modern Mexican landscape painter Dr. Atl used them as a canvas and drew volcanoes of Mexico on the curtain. (Read more)
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▪ Templo Mayor
The Templo Mayor (Spanish for “Great Temple”) was one of the main temples of the Aztecs in their capital city of Tenochtitlan, which is now Mexico City. Its architectural style belongs to the late Postclassic period of Mesoamerica. The temple was called the huei teocalli in the Nahuatl language and dedicated simultaneously to two gods, Huitzilopochtli, god of war, and Tlaloc, god of rain and agriculture, each of which had a shrine at the top of the pyramid with separate staircases. The spire in the center of the image to the right was devoted to Quetzalcoatl in his form as the wind god, Ehecatl. (Read More)
▪ ZócaloThe heart
of Mexico City is Zócalo (The Birthplace of the Constiution), the place is
where the the contry’s first constitution was proclaimed in 1813. It’s also one
of the largest squares and was laid out almost immediately after the conquest
of the former Aztec city of Tenochtitlan on which it stands. (Read more)
of Anthropology
The National Museum of Anthropology lies in
Chapultepec Park and is hard to miss due
to the incradible contemporary architecture. Built in 1964, the museum displays
old Indian art treasures, the most
notably in the Central Patio, parto f which is is roofed by gigantic Stone
shelter supported by na 11-meter-tall column with waterfalls symbolizing the
eternal cycle of life. (Read more)
▪ Mexico CityMetropolitan Cathedral
One of the oldest and largest churches in the
western hemisphere, built atop part of the old Aztec temple precinct,
construction of this massive basalt and grey sandstone structure began in 1525
and extended over 250 years. (Read more)
▪ Cuisine
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| Posole |
The local cuisine can be called one of the major national attractions. It is truly original and unique. Corn and corn flour occupy the honorable place in the national cuisine. These ingredients are added in literally every dish.
Corn tortillas “tacos,” which are baked with various fillings, are the most beloved dish among local people. Among the meat dishes the most popular one is, without a doubt, “posoles “- deep fried meat in corn flour.
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| Tacos |
The most famous drinks are Horchata (made with rice, almonds, cinnamon, and sugar), Licuados (various fruits mixed with either orange juice or milk and zizzed in a blender), and Aguas Frescas (made with fruit and water in a blender). Healthier, tastier, and cheaper than refrescos (soft drinks), the drinks come in every flavor, color, and size imaginable.
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| Horchata |
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| Aguas Frescas |
▪ Habits
Local residents are talented and friendly people. These are great musicians, dancers and acrobats. They are happy to show their skills to visitors, so while walking around the city you can see funny street musicians and become a witness of an enchanting performance.
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| Street Performer |
Many locals people may seem even overly helpful and friendly. Women here can hear numerous compliments and praising. Such attitude is normal here and should not cause any embarrassment. In their turn, local people also expect courteous and polite attitude. You cannot afford any negligence even with strangers – it can severely hurt local people or cause uproar. Despite their love to different kinds of celebrations, local people have rather reserved attitude to alcohol. Appearing drunk in a public place is considered a sign of bad manners and disrespect to others.
Anahí Giovanna Puente Portilla Roberto Gómez Bolaños (Chespirito)
▪ Corrido
Corrido music is a popular narrative song of poetry form, a ballad. Various themes are featured in Mexican corridos, and corrido lyrics are often old legends (stories) and ballads about a famed criminal or hero in the rural frontier areas of Mexico.
A common example is “la Cucaracha” which is derived from an Arabic sailors’ song from the Moors prior the Reconquista. The corrido has a rhythm similar to that of the European waltz; corridos, like rancheras, have introductory instrumental music and adornos interrupting the stanzas of the lyrics. However, unlike rancheras, the rhythm of a corrido remains fairly consistent, rancheras can be played at a variety of rhythms. Corridos often tell stories, while rancheras are for dancing.
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| source: numbeo.com |
October through May is the city’s dry season, which means this period has very little rain. From June through September is considered the “rainy season”. During the summer months it rains on average once a day, though the rain rarely lasts longer than a few hours.
What’s the best time to travel to Mexico City in Mexico? Here are some facts:
- -On average, the warmest month(s) are April and May.
- -Most rainfall (rainy season) is seen in June, July, August and September.
- -Mexico City has dry periods in January, February, March, April, November and December.
- -On average, the warmest month is May.
- -On average, the coolest month is January.
- -July is the wettest month.
- -February is the driest month.
- Source: https://weather-and-climate.com/average-monthly-Rainfall-Temperature-Sunshine,mexico-city,Mexico
- ▪ Extra
