Family & Friends,
I have been horrible about keeping up with my adventures, but I finally have the chance to write about my Mexico/Cuba expedition last November!
I began my trip in Mexico City (by way of Guadalajara). This leg of it ended up being more of a party time than I had expected, but I'm not complaining. I had heard a lot of hype about CDMX and I have to say that the city lived up to it. It's comparable to my beloved New York because of its size, diverse neighborhoods, and stumble upon-able art and events. It's interesting, everyone over 40 or so who I told about my trip coming up had warned me of how dangerous the town is. But whenever I mentioned it to the younger crowd, they raved about how fun it is. It just goes to show how (a) Mexico City is changing, and (b) how much more globalized and connected young people are now, compared to the previous generation. Anyway, I did not feel unsafe at any time while I was in Mexico City. I was only there for three days, but my impression is that it is just like any other big city in respect to crime. It can happen anywhere and everywhere. Just be smart.
It's always fun when I'm traveling abroad in a non-European country because not only do I look so white, but I also look so not feminine. It often confuses people. If you've read my previous posts, you know that I'm no stranger to harassment and discrimination when traveling as an overtly androgynous lesbian. My trip began with an Aeromexico employee staring at me and then finally telling me that I look just like her boyfriend. It always confounds me that people feel compelled to say things like that, and that they don't find it inappropriate at all. Stay tuned for more awkward gender-bending moments in Mexico.
I was fortunate to have a buddy with whom to explore the CDMX nightlife (a friend of a friend who was visiting at the same time). So here's what went down in Mexico:
DAY 1:
I landed in CDMX somewhat late and promptly met up with my buddy in Juarez, near the Hotel Valentina, where he was staying. This area is like gay Vegas, with bars named things like, "Kinky Bar" and "Pussy Bar." We really didn't know where to go, so we just walked around until we found an outdoor bar and had a couple beers. Next, we walked over to Cafebrería El Péndulo. This place is a bookstore that turns into a bar at night. I nestled right in, as they have drinks named after famous writers and quotes on the walls from my hero, Humphrey Bogart. There, we each got a shot of Mezcal, and then some whiskey. Nothing too wild.
DAY 2:
This was a big walking day. I walked from where I was staying in Roma to Tacos de Alvaro Obregón and had some yummy tacos al pastor (per a friend's suggestion). After that, my route took me to:
- Jardin Pushkin, where there were some musicians being filmed, as well as a really cool play structure that I would have loved as a kid. Hell, I loved it as an adult.
- Jardin Ignacio Chavez, where there was a flea market and some people doing parkour.
- Parque Tolsa, which had a weird toy market (mostly hot wheels and creepy dolls) and some woman singing not very well.
- Plaza de la Ciudadela, which was lively with a salsa/tango class happening, as well as a swing dance group performing. There was also a tented dance party.
- Mercado de Artesanías Ciudadela, which had a lot of neat little tchotchkes.
- Museo de Diego Rivera. I didn't go in, but there was a group of clowns running around outside.
- Mercado Lagunilla, which had some really cool street art on the way.
- INBA Museo Nacional de Arte (MUNAL). Again, I didn't go in, but there was this huge Aztec dance thing going on. People were in these really ornate outfits and headdresses.
- Alameda Central, a big park in the middle of the historic center.
- Passed by the Palacio de Bellas Artes.
- Catedral Metropolitana de la Ciudad de México, which is beautiful inside. There were some more Aztec dancers outside, but they creeped me out.
- Explored some callejones (small alleyways), which were really cute.
Finally, I had dinner at Coox Hanal, which was recommended to me by a friend. The tacos de cochinita pibil were great, and I washed them down with a Bohemia Clara beer.
Later, I met up with my buddy in Roma. We tried Baltra Bar for drinks, but it was packed, so we went to Diente de Oro instead. We had time to kill before a big dance party, so we tried going into Tom's Leather Bar. However, Tom's Leather Bar does not allow women (yes, that's still a thing in some places). The bouncer was so unsure that he asked to see my ID in order to determine my gender. I still don't get it, but whatever, I'm used to it.
Eventually, we finally made it to the dance party being put on by Karma XII at White House. This party was the epitome of the word, "nightclub," which usually isn't my scene. But we still danced and had a lot of fun.
DAY 3:
Day 3 happened to be Revolution Day, so a lot of places were closed. I just wandered around again...
- Parque España, a shaded park with lots of gazebo benches and trees.
- Mercado Roma, an indoor food market. In there, I got a very yummy sandwich from Ochenta Ocho and a fresh juice from Lo Diras de Chía.
- Parque México, where I ate my lunch and people/dog watched.
- Chapultepec, which is comparable to New York's Central Park. I walked to the castle, but it was closed for Revolution Day. I had to buy some lucha libre masks for my nephews; no-brainer there. I also experienced another gender confusion event when I was in line for the bathroom at the park. This woman behind me was looking at me funny. I brushed it off. Then, a male employee of the park entered and called to me. When I turned around, he seemed to back up, deferentially. A couple girls in line laughed. With my decent Spanish comprehension, I deduced that this woman thought I was a dude, went to get the employee to tell on me, and he arrived to find that I am indeed a female in line for the women's bathroom.
- Walked up Paseo de la Reforma to El Ángel de la Independencia, a famous CDMX monument.
- Glorieta de los Insurgentes metro station.
In the evening, I decided to check out the Coyoacán neighborhood, which is the really artsy area...
- Checked out the Frida Kahlo Museum, but didn't go inside.
- Jardin Centenario, the little park at the center of Coyoacán.
- Mercado de Coyoacán, which had a lot of cool little gifts.
- Parroquia San Juan Bautista, a very pretty church.
I had dinner at El Colmo, a hip restaurant with a chill setting. Lastly, I just had to get some churros, so I stopped at La Parroquia. The churros were okay... There were a bunch of other churro places that I would've liked to try.
DAY 4:
I left Mexico City for Cuba on Day 4, but before I left, I got breakfast at a place called El Ocho in Roma. It was a lovely spread, delivered by a lovely queer lady server.
Other Observations about CDMX:
- Uber rides are super cheap. I recommend that as primary transportation. I didn't use the metro at all.
- CDMX is another city with those damn nuisance Lime scooters.
- I got a kick out of their crosswalk signals (a little walking green man). Way better than ours, where you have to wait for a white man to tell you to go.
- I became kind of obsessed with Peñafiel, this yummy fizzy pineapple drink. Super good.
- I did not make it to La Gozadera, which is a lesbian space/restaurant recommended to me by a friend. I found little information about it, so I'm not sure how active it is nowadays.
- I really wanted to catch a lucha libre show, but the timing didn't work out, unfortunately.
Overall, my time in Mexico City flew by and I had a blast. I'll probably make it back there fairly often since it's somewhat close and flights are pretty cheap.
Next, I began my excursion to Cuba! Stayed tuned for my posts on THAT. There's a lot to say.
In the meantime, enjoy the Mexico photos below.
Onward,
Chris
P.S. - This may be the first post where I did not reference a horror movie at all.
I have been horrible about keeping up with my adventures, but I finally have the chance to write about my Mexico/Cuba expedition last November!
I began my trip in Mexico City (by way of Guadalajara). This leg of it ended up being more of a party time than I had expected, but I'm not complaining. I had heard a lot of hype about CDMX and I have to say that the city lived up to it. It's comparable to my beloved New York because of its size, diverse neighborhoods, and stumble upon-able art and events. It's interesting, everyone over 40 or so who I told about my trip coming up had warned me of how dangerous the town is. But whenever I mentioned it to the younger crowd, they raved about how fun it is. It just goes to show how (a) Mexico City is changing, and (b) how much more globalized and connected young people are now, compared to the previous generation. Anyway, I did not feel unsafe at any time while I was in Mexico City. I was only there for three days, but my impression is that it is just like any other big city in respect to crime. It can happen anywhere and everywhere. Just be smart.
It's always fun when I'm traveling abroad in a non-European country because not only do I look so white, but I also look so not feminine. It often confuses people. If you've read my previous posts, you know that I'm no stranger to harassment and discrimination when traveling as an overtly androgynous lesbian. My trip began with an Aeromexico employee staring at me and then finally telling me that I look just like her boyfriend. It always confounds me that people feel compelled to say things like that, and that they don't find it inappropriate at all. Stay tuned for more awkward gender-bending moments in Mexico.
I was fortunate to have a buddy with whom to explore the CDMX nightlife (a friend of a friend who was visiting at the same time). So here's what went down in Mexico:
DAY 1:
I landed in CDMX somewhat late and promptly met up with my buddy in Juarez, near the Hotel Valentina, where he was staying. This area is like gay Vegas, with bars named things like, "Kinky Bar" and "Pussy Bar." We really didn't know where to go, so we just walked around until we found an outdoor bar and had a couple beers. Next, we walked over to Cafebrería El Péndulo. This place is a bookstore that turns into a bar at night. I nestled right in, as they have drinks named after famous writers and quotes on the walls from my hero, Humphrey Bogart. There, we each got a shot of Mezcal, and then some whiskey. Nothing too wild.
DAY 2:
This was a big walking day. I walked from where I was staying in Roma to Tacos de Alvaro Obregón and had some yummy tacos al pastor (per a friend's suggestion). After that, my route took me to:
- Jardin Pushkin, where there were some musicians being filmed, as well as a really cool play structure that I would have loved as a kid. Hell, I loved it as an adult.
- Jardin Ignacio Chavez, where there was a flea market and some people doing parkour.
- Parque Tolsa, which had a weird toy market (mostly hot wheels and creepy dolls) and some woman singing not very well.
- Plaza de la Ciudadela, which was lively with a salsa/tango class happening, as well as a swing dance group performing. There was also a tented dance party.
- Mercado de Artesanías Ciudadela, which had a lot of neat little tchotchkes.
- Museo de Diego Rivera. I didn't go in, but there was a group of clowns running around outside.
- Mercado Lagunilla, which had some really cool street art on the way.
- INBA Museo Nacional de Arte (MUNAL). Again, I didn't go in, but there was this huge Aztec dance thing going on. People were in these really ornate outfits and headdresses.
- Alameda Central, a big park in the middle of the historic center.
- Passed by the Palacio de Bellas Artes.
- Catedral Metropolitana de la Ciudad de México, which is beautiful inside. There were some more Aztec dancers outside, but they creeped me out.
- Explored some callejones (small alleyways), which were really cute.
Finally, I had dinner at Coox Hanal, which was recommended to me by a friend. The tacos de cochinita pibil were great, and I washed them down with a Bohemia Clara beer.
Later, I met up with my buddy in Roma. We tried Baltra Bar for drinks, but it was packed, so we went to Diente de Oro instead. We had time to kill before a big dance party, so we tried going into Tom's Leather Bar. However, Tom's Leather Bar does not allow women (yes, that's still a thing in some places). The bouncer was so unsure that he asked to see my ID in order to determine my gender. I still don't get it, but whatever, I'm used to it.
Eventually, we finally made it to the dance party being put on by Karma XII at White House. This party was the epitome of the word, "nightclub," which usually isn't my scene. But we still danced and had a lot of fun.
DAY 3:
Day 3 happened to be Revolution Day, so a lot of places were closed. I just wandered around again...
- Parque España, a shaded park with lots of gazebo benches and trees.
- Mercado Roma, an indoor food market. In there, I got a very yummy sandwich from Ochenta Ocho and a fresh juice from Lo Diras de Chía.
- Parque México, where I ate my lunch and people/dog watched.
- Chapultepec, which is comparable to New York's Central Park. I walked to the castle, but it was closed for Revolution Day. I had to buy some lucha libre masks for my nephews; no-brainer there. I also experienced another gender confusion event when I was in line for the bathroom at the park. This woman behind me was looking at me funny. I brushed it off. Then, a male employee of the park entered and called to me. When I turned around, he seemed to back up, deferentially. A couple girls in line laughed. With my decent Spanish comprehension, I deduced that this woman thought I was a dude, went to get the employee to tell on me, and he arrived to find that I am indeed a female in line for the women's bathroom.
- Walked up Paseo de la Reforma to El Ángel de la Independencia, a famous CDMX monument.
- Glorieta de los Insurgentes metro station.
In the evening, I decided to check out the Coyoacán neighborhood, which is the really artsy area...
- Checked out the Frida Kahlo Museum, but didn't go inside.
- Jardin Centenario, the little park at the center of Coyoacán.
- Mercado de Coyoacán, which had a lot of cool little gifts.
- Parroquia San Juan Bautista, a very pretty church.
I had dinner at El Colmo, a hip restaurant with a chill setting. Lastly, I just had to get some churros, so I stopped at La Parroquia. The churros were okay... There were a bunch of other churro places that I would've liked to try.
DAY 4:
I left Mexico City for Cuba on Day 4, but before I left, I got breakfast at a place called El Ocho in Roma. It was a lovely spread, delivered by a lovely queer lady server.
Other Observations about CDMX:
- Uber rides are super cheap. I recommend that as primary transportation. I didn't use the metro at all.
- CDMX is another city with those damn nuisance Lime scooters.
- I got a kick out of their crosswalk signals (a little walking green man). Way better than ours, where you have to wait for a white man to tell you to go.
- I became kind of obsessed with Peñafiel, this yummy fizzy pineapple drink. Super good.
- I did not make it to La Gozadera, which is a lesbian space/restaurant recommended to me by a friend. I found little information about it, so I'm not sure how active it is nowadays.
- I really wanted to catch a lucha libre show, but the timing didn't work out, unfortunately.
Overall, my time in Mexico City flew by and I had a blast. I'll probably make it back there fairly often since it's somewhat close and flights are pretty cheap.
Next, I began my excursion to Cuba! Stayed tuned for my posts on THAT. There's a lot to say.
In the meantime, enjoy the Mexico photos below.
Onward,
Chris
P.S. - This may be the first post where I did not reference a horror movie at all.