I go, you go, we all go to Mexico!
A couple weeks ago, I stole away to Mexico City! It is a destination I’ve always been curious about, so off I went with my main squeeze to the most charming Airbnb that I’ve habited to date. (You can click the word “Airbnb” above to visit the site. I have had so much success and fun using this traveling tool. Even just to virtually travel online is a blast!)
Having lived in Texas for so long I’m no stranger to Mexico, but D.F. has a certain wow-factor and appeal. It is the largest city in this hemisphere, and flying in on the plane you can witness the unimaginable sprawl. Our apartment/hotel in the center, adjacent to and overlooking a major city park was bohemian, arty, and airy. Wonderful beginning to the trip! See the kitchen below, made with concrete blocks and plaster, terra cotta tiles underfoot.
Here’s a shot of the park (below) in full mercado mode. Busy, fragrant, loud, colorful. Each morning I would watch the goings-on outside, whilst eating pro-biotic pills to fortify my stomach! It works!
Our absent Mexican apartment dweller is an artist, and she keeps this marvelous installation in the architectural feature in the bed/living room. So pretty.
Our first day in, we were lucky to meet a friend of a friend who served as tour guide. We saw the Zocalo (massive city square) and visited the city’s fabric zone! I scored some cool fabrics!!!
We were keen to visit some exciting Mexican architecture, and it is seen everywhere! The first building was a Mexican mid-century notable, El Eco (Museo Experiemental El Eco. Click the title to read the museum’s history.) In short, it is an historical mark of mid-century European modernism, translated into a new idea at the time of “emotional architecture.”
The hallway narrows not only in perspective of the photo, but in real time! It measures one dimension upon entering, and narrows by 4-6 feet at the end of the hall. The picture above of the courtyard shows a contemporary installation; the previously flat floor has been raised on an incline. Amazing!
We visited the mind-boggling ruins just 30 minutes outside the city, Teotihuacan. It is a mystery, literally! (Click the word “Teotihuacan” above for the wikipedia info. One could write a novel on this place.) “The city is thought to have been established around 100 BC and continued to be built until about 250 AD,” according to wikipedia. It was an early home to complex commerce, massive pre-columbian industry, advanced intelligence regarding astrology, astronomy and science, rich indigenous treasure…and potentially brutal sacrificial offerings to the gods! We hiked breathless to the top of the Pyramid of the Sun and offered the deities our exhausted legs.
My favorite moment in Mexico was a decadent treat of mezcal and potato chips in the Blue Lounge of the Camino Real, Polanco (click the words before to link!) Ugghh! Gush! My dream come true! This building was the brain child of Ricardo Legorreta, (click the name for wikipedia) a disciple of Mexican mid-century modernism and “emotional architecture” teachings. He has been my favorite architect of late, and has a bang-up library in San Antonio, TX – click the link for more pics! The Camino Real, Polanco is one of Mexico City’s luxury hotels that offers all the bourgeois trappings that you could ask for. It has a host of hotel bars within, the best features a floating platform lounge area on a dream-like pool. Furniture includes design landmarks from Bertoia, Corbusier, Pesce, Sottsass, Saarinen, and more! Look…! As sea of Bertoias!
Outside, the features are just as alluring.
This pool of water pictured above is constantly agitated, imitating a turbulent and violent churning sea. Mesmerizing.
With only four days there, much was left to see. Truly, the best sensibilities of the city relay a minimum of finish, using plaster and concrete, simple flat color, and everywhere the most basic and even common textiles. I will be inspired to use more simplicity in my future interiors in response to the best notes of Mexico City’s lifestyles.
Gracias D.F.! Nos vemos!