Re: Birding (?) in Mexico City
Steve Sanford (tanager@bcpl.net)
Mon, 12 Oct 1998 22:58:52 -0400
David,
This is more anecdote than advice, and only a little about birds, but in
April 1989 I did get a life-bird from a hotel right on the Zocalo (the
central square) of Mexico City. Your message brought a pleasant visit
back to mind.
I was birding in the Yucatan, Palenque, and Oaxaca, when I decided on
the spur of the moment to try to add on a 36-hour visit to Mexico City.
I flew in from Oaxaca with little idea where to stay. On the plane I
talked to an American with lots of Mexico experience. He suggested I try
to get in the Hotel Majestic right on the historic Zocolo. He said the
price was not too bad despite the location, and he said I could probably
line it up at the reservation desk at the airport. He was right. The
desk lined me up quickly and steered me to an inexpensive limo. I was in
the hotel only about an hour after arrival at the airport. It was about
$65 a night, and elegant but relaxed, and quite comfortable. (Now it's
about $95 and up according to my new Mexico guide.)
I had dinner on the open rooftop restaurant overlooking the Zocolo. By
coincidence, the fabled Ballet Folklorico was giving a free performance
which I could view easily, especially with binoculars, from the
restaurant. Between acts, I could catch looks at some life-birds, Lesser
Nighthawks, circling over the plaza.
The next morning I briefly toured the old cathedral and the recently
excavated remains of the ancient Aztec city on the Zocolo. Then I was
off on a visit to the ancient pyramids of Teotihuacan, where I
encountered a mystery nightjar (probably a Common Poorwill) while
wandering off the beaten path. In the afternoon, after a fun taxi ride
during which I instructed the driver about the essential English phrase
"See ya' later, alligator," I went through the remarkable
anthropological museum with it's great collection of Mayan and Aztec
treasures. The richness and diversity of Mexico's Indian heritage
displayed in the museum was complemented by an Indian festival taking
place outside.
This quick visit demolished any stereotypes I may have had about Mexico
City. It was fascinating, reeking with history and culture, friendly,
fun, surprisingly clean and efficient and elegant … and all this praise
is coming from someone who generally hates cities.
I hope it hasn't changed much. Have a nice visit.
--
Steve Sanford
Randallstown MD
tanager@bcpl.net