The time finally came to discover a familiar novelty
In the summer of 2022, I made time to visit Mexico City. Contrary to other more exotic destinations I have had the pleasure to travel to such as India or South Korea, Mexico, and particularly its capital city did not have this “novelty factor”. This is because the influence of Mexican culture in the neighboring countries through music, movies and food is just undeniable. El Salvador, my home country, is of course no exception to this.
However, this sense of familiarity allowed me to explore in a more fluid way, walking its streets, exploring its museums and speaking their language with no problem whatsoever. The photographic opportunities that this city offers are far beyond what I collected in just a week. One would need much more time to find out which church interior is the most beautiful, which building has the most unique artistic display, or, of course, where to find the best tacos in town.
Despite this, here is a selection of images by day of my trip to CDMX (Ciudad de México, in Spanish). It is my hope that these still pictures can do at least a bit of justice to the charm of the city and its very unique personality.
Day 1: Puebla and Cholula
Puebla and Cholula are just a few hours of driving from CDMX. These two adjacent towns have experienced a recent burst in popularity among tourists. As I arrived, I could easily understand why: vivid colors of the alleys and the traditional markets of Puebla, and the striking 360-degree view from Nuestra Senora de los Remedios Sanctuary which just happens to be sitting on the top of an ancient Aztec pyramid.
Day 2: A laid back Sunday for forest and city alike
A Sunday with no strict schedule to follow. We headed to a national park called La Marquesa, searching for a hearty breakfast and lunch. Back to CDMX in the afternoon, I walked across the Avenida Francisco I. Madero and headed to the Templo Mayor Museum. Overall, it was an afternoon for indoor museum exploration.
Day 3: A full day for a photowalk in Mexico City
If there was a day for full freedom to roam and take the time to explore the city through my lens, it was this Monday. First, I got to the Monument to the Revolution, and then continued to walk through the Alameda Central Park, the Palacio de Bellas Artes, Francisco I. Madero Avenue, and finally got inside the Metropolitan Cathedral of Mexico City.
Day 4: Exploring Chapultepec
The day came to explore the Chapultepec Forest. I spent the first half of the day exploring the forest itself, and the second half enjoying the views from the Chapultepec Castle and the indoor exhibitions. Although the castle and its museum are a must for anyone visiting CDMX, the opportunities for travel photography are somewhat limited. I also had my only opportunity for night photography this evening.
Day 5: A visit to the pyramids of Teotihuacan under the summer sun
I definitely could not leave Mexico without seizing the opportunity to visit the famous Teotihuacan pyramid complex. On a perfect summer day, I took a tour bus to reach the site and spend most of the day exploring the area.
Day 6: The Anthropology Museum and the Soumaya
I spent most of my day trying to finish the vast number of exhibition rooms of the Anthropology Museum and literally just a few minutes to sprint-run the floors of the Soumaya Museum, right before the closing time. I considered both places a must during my trip. The first for its incredible collection of artifacts, including the impressive Aztec sun stone. The second, for its majestic and iconic architectural design (although the collection is nothing short of amazing). Thus, here is just an image of the stone, and a few images of the outside of the Soumaya Museum from different angles.
Additionally, here is a video two-part vlog of my time in Mexico City:
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