Global Breadcrumbs: MEXICO

We just got back from spending about a week and a half in Mexico and it was AWESOME! So awesome, in fact, that we're thinking about moving there after we leave the DR.

Mexico was a lot different than either of us had expected. Despite its proximity to the US, Mexico City is much more of a European-style city than an American one. There were sidewalk cafes and restaurants all over the city; the cafes and teahouses were full of young people discussing life, art, politics; the main traffic arteries were made up of wide tree-lined boulevards; contemporary art galleries dotted the city; the traffic circles boasted elaborate fountains and larger-than-life sculptures; and the city's many parks were full of students and office workers chatting, reading and eating lunch. It had very little in common with capitals of other developing countries that we've visited.

When we first arrived here in Santo Domingo, we spent 10 weeks in the Marriott Hotel close to the embassy while we waited for our apartment to be ready. Those 2.5 months in the basic Marriott Courtyard in Santo Domingo earned use 3 nights in the super fancy J.W. Marriott in Mexico City with Executive Lounge privileges for my birthday weekend. It was hands down the best hotel we've ever stayed in. First, it was located in the super posh part of town, which was replete with art galleries and high-end boutiques. Secondly, the service was impeccable: the concierge scored us dinner reservations and event tickets; the hotel bar staff was great; and the exec lounge was always stocked with free booze and food whenever we wanted.

There were, however, definitely some shady parts to the city too. On my actual birthday, we got tickets to the Lucha Libre, an even more over the top Mexican equivalent of WWF Smackdown. Trying to hail a cab afterwards, we quickly came to the realization that the arena was definitely in the 'hood. And as the only black people in Mexico, we were desperately trying to snag a taxi before we brought any more attention to ourselves. The Lucha Libre itself was pretty cool, in a "what the hell is going on" sort of way. From the masked "luchadores", to the ridiculous choreographed antics in the ring, to the overly exuberant fans in the seats, it was well worth the US$8 ticket.

In addition to Mexico City, we also checked out the much smaller cities of Puebla and Cholula, which were also really cool. All in all, Mexico is definitely worth a visit. In the US, we hear about all of the violence and mayhem in the northern border region, but when you're in Central Mexico, it's like you're in a whole different country.