Hungry in Mexico - DF in Three Days

Getting over the loss of our baby wasn't easy. But while we were on our flight from Cancun to Mexico City, aka D.F., D and I decided that we needed to move on from our Tulum miseries and start a new chapter on our trip.

Once we landed into DF, we headed straight to the metro and found our way to Casa Comtesse in Condesa.

After settling in, D and I headed out to the nearest Costco to find a new camera. We took a taxi out to Polanco and eventually found the Costco in a mega-plex mall. Unfortunately, all cameras were either sold out or very expensive. D and I then ran out and walked through some dark streets to find an Office Depot. But their prices were also very expensive. Afterwards, we decided to just get some groceries at Gigante market next door and call it a night with the camera shopping.

Gigante in Mexico is not like the Gigante in LA. It is huuuuge! As we walked in we were surprised to find tons of cameras at the market...in stock and cheaper than Costco and Office Depot. After looking at several cameras, we decided to adopt a new baby and purchased a Canon SD750.

It's been a while since we've used a point and shoot. I forgot how convenient it is to sneak in my purse. So here it is. Pictures from our new baby baby.

Casa Comtesse was a nice change from our rustic "eco" lodging in Tulum. Hardwood floors, mid-century mod furniture, hot water, shower curtains, wifi...you name it. Casa Comtesse was exactly what we needed. We found this place on hostelworld.com. Although it's not a hostel, it's definitely not a corporate hotel and I highly recommend Casa Comtesse if you're ever visiting DF. There are only 3 rooms, so I think Casa Comtesse can only accommodate up to 6 people.

One of the best things about Casa Comtesse is having access to a full kitchen. Dylan bought some mushrooms and ham over at Gigante so he was able to cook us a nice breakfast in the morning. Of course the boy also had to stock up on Mexican Maggi (see photo above.) I've had so much Maggi sauce on this trip that I've become addicted. I even splash some on my tortilla chips!

Casa Comtesse is on the third floor of an apartment building. This bunny hangs out on the balcony...for protection I guess.

After breakfast D and I strolled around Condesa on our way to the metro station. I love love love Condesa's street art. It's so fun. Condesa's the perfect place for the design/art conscious crowd.

You'd think this was an ice-cream shop just walking by. Apparantly, neveria is a nieves (Mexican style ice-cream) shop. Nieves, a close cousin to helados (american ice-cream) is more icier...but just as good. I hear that Neveria Roxy is "thee" parlor to hit up in DF. We were lucky that this shop was just a block down from Casa Comtesse.

All nieves are made fresh in nieves de garafa (large steel containers) on the premises each day. I tried guayaba (guava) and café (11 pesos/scoop). Omygosh, the flavors are so fresh and real. No fake stuff here.

La Cerveceria was another joint downstairs from Casa Comtesse. This place is always packed with Condesa folks meeting up with friends over beers and munchies.

El Tizoncito claims to be the inventor of the al pastor. D and I ate at El Tizoncito the first night we arrived to DF. We'd have pictures, but our camera was charging. Overall, El Tizoncito made some solid pastors. DF is a big al pastor haven. And they looooove their pastors topped with warm pineapples. El Tizoncito is like the Starbucks of al pastors. There was another one and a half blocks down. Boo.

After eating at El Tizoncito, we ended up at the bustling El Kaliman taqueria one block away. Now this is the place to get tacos al pastor. They slice their pastors off the spit nice and thin. Something that I've never seen before.

Metro stations around DF have the best grub. We also saw the cheapest - 5 tacos for 10 pesos ($1). Dang!

The next day D and I headed back on the metro to make our way towards the Zòcalo (city center) to check out Mexico City's Plaza de la Constitución. I looooove Mexico City for their awesome metro system. For 2 pesos (20 cents), you can hop on and get to any of the 175 stations...and that's including transfers! And trains arrive every 2-3 minutes!

Of course with public transportations, you get a glimpse of the crazies. D and I kept cracking up at this one "performer" on our train. This guy first announced his presence, something like, "Attention everyone! I'm about to show you a stupid human trick." Then he showed everyone his bag of "glass" and then sprinkled it onto the floor. Then homeboy started rolling around on the "glass." "Gracias, gracias," he said as he bowed.

You can also buy the most random things on the metro. My favorite was the CD man. These guys carried a boombox on their backs and played annoying reggaetón for potential buyers. D got mad when I started dancing to the reggaetón only to have the guy stand right next to us as I pulsed to the obnoxious beats. Sorry D.

We didn't spend much time around the Plaza de la Constitución. The noon time sun and hoards of people made us super tired real quick. It's probably better to come in the morning. Then again, you'd have to deal with morning traffic on the metro.

I was in awe as I looked at Diego Rivera's mural at the National Palace. His depiction of Mexico's history was quite amazing. Dang Diego!

We wanted to head to Frida Kahlo's Blue House, but all museums are closed on Mondays. This giant paper machè doesn't do justice.

The Palacio Postal glows like no other post office I've ever seen.

We made a quick trip to Sanborns to pick up some Crema Theatrical.

This ain't no La Prairie, but this old-fashion, rose-scented cream looks super stylish on any make-up counter.

Thanks for tagging along with us in DF. Hope the pictures match up to the Tulum toons you guys seem to enjoy. Make sure to check out Mexico City through Dylan's eyes.

Next up, Oaxaca!

Casa Comtesse
103 Tamaulipas #8
Condesa DF
www.hostelworld.com

El Kaliman
Calle Campeche 374 (corner of Campeche & Ensenada)
Condesa DF

El Tizoncito
corner of Tamaulipas & Campeche
Condesa DF

La Cerveceria
corner of Tamaulipas & Vicente Suarez
Condesa DF

Neveria Roxy
161 Tamaulipas
Condesa DF