Paris Famous Spots

So here I am, riding a bus with internet from Mexico City to Guadalajara and since I will be sitting down for the next 6 hours I thought writing in my blog was an excellent idea to pass time.   

Unless you were born in the European Union, Paris’ museums and attractions can be quite expensive so like I mentioned before, make sure to pick your must-sees before you leave for Paris.

Notre-Dame

According to the Cathedral’s website, “tradition has it that Notre-Dame’s first stone was laid in 1163 in the presence of Pope Alexander III.” Of course, throughout the years, many additions and restorations have been made to this gothic building but its essence is still the same as hundreds of years ago, which is why entering Notre-Dame is a must. Since Notre-Dame is a place of worship, there are no fees charged to enter the building (this is not the case with all cathedrals and churches though); with beautiful stained-glass windows, sculptures, and giant organs this place is art in itself.

Sacre-Coeur

This building is unlike any other in Paris, and yet this is perhaps one of the least known tourist spots; before going to Paris I had never heard of this place, but thankfully, a friend recommended this place and it was worth it. Although Romano-Byzantine in design the architecture of Sacre-Coeur seems Taj-Mahal like which makes hard to imagine this is a basilica. The contrast between the white basilica and the green hill where it stands makes the beauty of this building more dazzling--and a favorite resting spot for both locals and tourists.

Moulin Rouge

Close to Sacre-Coeur is in the world-known night-club theater of Moulin Rouge; unlike Sacre-Coeur, the Moulin Rouge is expensive with tickets starting at €114.00 to €216.00 depending on the menu. If you have the euros to spare then this show might be something you are interested in, but if you are like me, all about saving, then just take some pictures in it famous façade.

Jardin du Luxembourg Park

A beautiful park close to Notre-Dame, Luxembourg is ideal for a picnic or for an under-the-sky nap. During the afternoons the park is full of children playing with toy boats in the central fountain and with students reading and talking in the gardens. From time to time you can catch a free concert and amazing exhibitions.

The Louvre

Perhaps this is the most famous art museum in the world and this is no surprise considering it is the residence of some of the most famous art pieces by artists such as Leonardo Da Vinci, Michelangelo, Jacques-Louis David, Raphael…

The Louvre is no small museum; seeing the entire collection might take as long as two days and getting close to the art might be an impossible feat with so many tourists walking through its corridors, so make sure to start your visit as soon as the doors open. The entrance is €12.00 but the first Sunday of every month entrance is free.

Arc de Triomphe and Eiffel Tower

The question is not which one to see, but which one to go into; at around €8.00 the arc de Triomphe provides an excellent view of Paris’ beautiful streets and a perfect sight of Champs Elysees, Place de la Concorde, and The Louvre Museum. On the other hand, the Eiffel Tower charges €13.40 (lift to the top) for near aerial views of the entire city; take into account the tower is not apt for people with acrophopbia and the wait is rather long, but if you do not mind this then go ahead. In my case, I found the view from the arc much more worth it than the Eiffel Tower, but this all depends on your personal preference; if you have the money definitely go into both.

Versailles 

One of the most know palaces, Versailles is only a train ride outside of Paris. This is a place where you will need to spend your entire day since the Palace is divided in many parts and it gardens are simply breathtaking. The mirror room is one of its most famous rooms and the estate of Marie-Antoinette is a favorite amongst tourists. Entrance is around €18.00 for a one-day pass.

There are many other places that are just as beautiful as the ones previously mentioned and equally famous; the Catacombs, the Paris Opera, Champs de Mars, Centre Pompidou, and countless parks, museums, and churches make Paris one of the most magical cities in the world which makes Paris a destination like no other.

               

I Love Paris

We had a VERY WINDY week here in Southern California; power outages, bad wireless  connectivity, fallen trees, and destroyed roofs, sunny California looked more like a Hurricane state which is why I delayed my blog a couple of days, 1000 apologies.

In any case, I will continue where I last left of, Europe, and the entries for the next couple of weeks will be about Paris!

“I love Paris in the spring time, I love Paris in the fall, I love Paris in the winter when it drizzles, I love Paris in the summer when it sizzles,” those are the lyrics of one of my favorite songs by the one and only, Frank Sinatra, and how right those words are; everyday of the year, Paris has a charm that no other city in the world has. In the December 2011 issue of National Geographic, I found a small, yet interesting article about the most influential cities in the world; Paris ranked number four with its many cultural attractions and global organizations, high business activity, low level of censorship, and foreign-diversity. Paris is the city of fashion, romance, good food, art, and live entertainment and it is perhaps for these reasons that this beautiful city can be quite pricey. However, if you stay away from the expensive stores at Champs Elysees and opt for walking instead of riding the metro, then Paris can be easy on the pocket.

The city of Paris has one of the best public transportation systems in the world, but also one of the most expensive; last time I was there a week metro- pass was over € 50.00 which is why I recommend walking. To be able to walk around you need to book a hotel of hostel in the heart of Paris; although hostels are more expensive in the center of the city, you will definitely save more money than by staying in a cheap lodge in the middle of nowhere. Now, if walking it’s definitely not in your plans, then check out the Paris Metro and the Paris Pass site, where you can find attraction + metro packages that will save you some bucks.

Now, since there are so many tourists destinations in Paris, make sure to do some research about the places you want to see; The Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe, Jardin du Luxemburg, Musée du Louvre, Place de la Concorde, Place de la Bastille, Panthéon, Les Invalides, Centre Pompidou, Notre-Dame, The Latin Quarter, Montmartre, Moulin Rouge, the list is infinite so try to have a set-up mind before arriving in Paris, because believe me, a couple of weeks won’t be enough to see it all.

Now, here is how I kind of managed my time while in Paris. Since me and my friend were staying at a friend’s house we would make a sandwich every morning in her kitchen before heading out to our respective destinations. My day #1 journey started at St. Michel Notre-Dame. After exploring the cathedral, I would head to the Jardin de Tuileries via the River Seine, check out the Place de la Concorde, walk the Avenue des Champs Elysees until  arriving to the Arc de Triomphe where I would sit to eat half of my delicious sandwich before starting for the Eiffel Tower through the beautiful, and very Parisian, Avenue Kleber. By the time I arrived at the Eiffel Tower 5 hours had passed since the start of my journey so I took a little nap in the Parc du Champ de Mars. After waking up I would head out to Les Invalides, and from there my final destination was Jardin du Luxemburg where a free concert, and the other half of my sandwich, would usually be waiting for me. Thank God I love walking and exercising otherwise there is no way I would have been able to walk over 9 hours in a day! By doing all this walk I discovered many things I wasn’t even planning on visiting like Jardin du Luxemburg and Les Invalides; also, the neighborhoods around the Eiffel Tower are beautiful and completely empty of tourists which was a nice break from the crowds and the excessive noise.

Walks like this one make you discover a city in a whole new way, all you need is a map, lots of water, snacks, and a good physical condition, believe me, you will end up knowing more about the city than the majority of tourists. During this first walk I did not go inside any buildings or attractions (with the exception of Notre-Dame). The walk was just to have an idea of the places where I wanted to spend a little more time at, which will be the topic of my next blog.

P.D. Next time I will be writing from Mexico, not known for its good wireless connectivity, so posting might take a little longer than usual, but do not fret, rain or shine the blog will come so please be patient, I will try my best.

A Little of Pasadena and Thanksgiving

Since Thanksgiving is coming, I thought I would take an early break from Europe to give you some Thanksgiving recipes. Also, since this is a blog about travel and not cooking, let me introduce you to beautiful downtown Pasadena, California.

The city of Pasadena is one of those few places in the Los Angeles Area that stills holds a charm and a certain “Napa Valley/European” character.  Fashion stores, coffee shops, tea houses, restaurants from around the world, bakeries, bars, nightclubs, and many other miscellaneous shops pack the streets of this charming neighborhood.  Aside from these diversions, Pasadena is the perfect venue for live entertainment; every summer the Levitt Pavilion hosts a series of free concerts to the public. The city organizes as well many exhibitions throughout the year such as the Concorso Ferrari, Art Night, dance festivals, and more. And if you have not heard of Pasadena’s Rose Parade or the Rose Bowl, then take a look at the Rose Parade/Rose Bowl website where you can learn about this internationally acclaimed parade.

Have you ever tried Afghani, Tibetan, or Ukrainian food? If you haven’t but are curious to try out something new and exotic without spending the big bucks on airfare, then Pasadena is the place to go. Like I mentioned before, this neighborhood counts with a great variety of international restaurants; places like “Mi Piace” and “Café Bizou” offer award winning food at moderate prices. Restaurants such as the “Cheesecake Factory” and “Bucca di Beppo” provide a more “American-friendly” menu, while eateries like “Anzeen’s Afghani Restaurant,” 1819 Argentinean Restaurant,” “Bar Celona,” “Choza Mama Peruvian Cuisine,” “Roxolana,” and “Tibet Nepal House” offer exotic dining options.

If you feel the need for something sweet after dining, then try the famous “Violet’s Cakes” or “Dots Cupcakes” (both places specialize in cupcakes). If you need something healthier, try the very crowded “21 Choices” for a cup of frozen yogurt. And if you want something smaller but just as delicious try “Lette;” although this macaron specialized store is practically new, it has become a personal favorite of mine. The store’s interior design is beautiful and compliments to perfection the colorful macarons, which can be found in many different flavors. If you ever go to this store, try the pistachio, earl gray, and violet macarons, they are simply amazing.

Well, a promise is a promise so here goes one of my favorite Thanksgiving recipes, the Bourbon Pumpkin Cheesecake from the Gourmet.com website.

Bourbon Pumpkin Cheesecake (serves 12/14)

Cortesy of Gourmet.com

Ingredients for Crust:

¾ cup graham cracker crumbs

½ cup pecans (1 ¾ oz.), finely chopped

¼ cup packed light brown sugar

¼ cup granulated sugar

½ stick (¼ cup) unsalted butter, melted and cooled

Ingredients for Filling:

1 ½ cups canned solid-pack pumpkin

3 large eggs

½ cup packed light brown sugar

2 tbs. heavy cream

1 tsp. vanilla

1 tbs. bourbon liqueur or bourbon (optional)

½ cup granulated sugar

1 tbs. cornstarch

1 ½ tsp. cinnamon

½ tsp. freshly grated nutmeg

½ tsp. ground ginger

½ tsp. salt

3 packages (8 oz. each) cream cheese, at room temperature

Ingredients for Topping

2 cups sour cream (20 oz)

2 tbs. granulated sugar

1 tbs. bourbon liqueur or bourbon (optional)

Directions for Crust:

1. Butter a 9-inch spring-form pan.

2. Stir together crumbs, pecans, sugars, and butter in a bowl until combined well. Press crumb mixture evenly onto bottom and ½ inch up side of pan, then chill crust 1 hour.

Directions for Filling and Baking

1. Put oven rack in middle position and preheat oven to 350°F (180˚C).

2. Whisk together pumpkin, eggs, brown sugar, cream, vanilla, and liqueur (if using) in a bowl until combined.

3. Stir together granulated sugar, cornstarch, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and salt in large bowl. Add cream cheese and beat with an electric mixer at high speed until creamy and smooth, about 3 minutes. 4. Reduce speed to medium, then add pumpkin mixture and beat until smooth.

5. Put spring-form pan in a shallow baking pan (in case spring-form leaks), pour filling into crust, and smooth top.

6. Bake until center is just set (about 50 to 60 minutes). Take it out of the oven and cool 5 minutes. (Leave oven on.)

Directions for Topping:

1. Whisk together sour cream, sugar, and liqueur (if using) in a bowl, then spread on top of cheesecake and bake 5 minutes.

2. Turn off the oven and let cheesecake cool completely, about 3 hours.

3. Chill, covered, until cold, at least 4 hours. Remove side of pan and bring to room temperature before serving.

If you want to try something easier and less time consuming then try the Traditional Pumpkin Pie:

Traditional Pumpkin Pie (serves 8)

Ingredients:

1 Graham Cracker Pie Crust (6 oz)

1 can (15 oz) pumpkin puree

1 can (14 oz) condensed milk

2 eggs

2 tsp. pumpkin pie spice (if you cannot find this spice the use: 1 tsp. cinnamon, ½ tsp. ground ginger, ½ tsp. ground nutmeg, ½ tsp. salt)

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 425˚F (218˚C). With a mixer beat all wet ingredients plus the spice. Pour into crust.

2. Bake for 15 minutes. Reduce oven temperature to 350˚F (175˚C) and bake for 35 to 40 more minutes or until toothpick comes out clean. Turn off the oven and let pie cool completely before serving.

Although Thanksgiving is a traditional American Holiday, people from every culture living in the United States are more than happy to celebrate this holiday with their families. Turkey and pumpkin pie are the two dishes that characterize this celebration, but since my family and I, along with many other foreign families, are not used to Turkey, we substitute it for our own traditional holiday recipes, which in my case are Mexican holiday recipes like pozole or tamales.

If you want to learn more about this American Holiday take a look at this video in the history.com website. And if you are thinking of traveling to Los Angeles, then browse the Old Town Pasadena website where you can learn more about this town.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

Two Mediterranean/Greek Recipes

The Mediterranean diet is one of the healthiest in the world and one of its main components is none other than olive oil. According to the International Olive Oil Council (IOOC), olive oil is an excellent fighter against cholesterol, cardiovascular diseases, and high-blood pressure. Its properties also help the digestive and immune systems; olive oil also offers a protective effect against cancer, diabetes, and obesity, and its antioxidant properties are believed to fight against ageing related diseases.

Greece, along with Spain and Italy, is one of the main producers of olive oil in the world, and along with these and other Mediterranean countries, Greece is one of its main consumers. Today I will share with you two delicious recipes I tried while in Greece; the first one is a Mediterranean vegetable casserole, full of healthy ingredients and olive oil. The second will be the recipe for the famous baklava. Like I mentioned before, the Mediterranean countries share a similar diet, so you might have tried or seen similar dishes in, let’s say, Italy or Spain.  

Mediterranean Vegetable Casserole (Serves 5)

Ingredients:

1 lb. eggplants       

2 ¼ cups olive oil    

1 lb. potatoes          

1 lb. green bell peppers          

3 cloves of garlic, finely chopped      

2 lb. ripe tomatoes, peeled and finely chopped

salt to taste

Directions:

1. Slice the eggplants in ½ inch circles and place in a strainer; sprinkle with salt and put aside for about 1 hour. After the time has passed, dry the water released by the eggplants.

2. Heat the oil in a skillet over low heat, then add the potato slices (previously cut in circles). Once they are soft pull out and arrange them in the bottom of a  15” x 10” Pyrex.

3. Fry the eggplant in the same oil until soft, pull out and arrange on top of the potatoes. Fry the bell peppers (they can be cut in stripes or circles), let dry on top of an absorbent wipe, and arrange on top of the potatoes. Add salt.

4. Get rid of some of the oil left in the pan, but leave enough to cover the bottom (if the oil dried out then add some more). Fry the garlic and add the tomatoes. Cook for about 20 to 30 min. stirring frequently. When the oil comes to the top of the tomato sauce add salt. Cool down a bit and strain (optional).

5. Pour the tomato sauce on top of the vegetables and bake in a 350˚F (180˚C) oven for 10 to 15 minutes.

6. Serve hot or warm with feta cheese and bread.

Baklava (serves 18)

Ingredients:

1 (16 oz.) package of phyllo dough      

1 lb. of chopped nuts (pecans, almonds, pistachio…)         

1 cup of butter (melted)             

1 tsp. ground cinnamon    

1 cup of water      

1 cup white sugar     

1 tsp. vanilla extract (optional)    

½ cup of honey

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350˚F (180˚C). Butter bottom and sides of a 9” x 13” oven-safe pan.

2. Toss the chopped nuts with the cinnamon and set aside. Unroll dough and cut the whole stack in two to fit into pan. Place two sheets of dough into pan and brush surface with butter. Repeat this step until 10 sheets are layered.

3. Sprinkle ± 3 tbs. of nut mix on top, cover with 4 layers of phyllo dough (no buttering between sheets), brush the last sheet  with butter and sprinkle again with nuts. Repeat this step until you run out of nuts. The final layer should be of 8 sheets of phyllo dough (remember to butter every 2 sheets).

4. Using a very sharp knife cut 18 squares, rectangles, or diamonds into the dough all the way to the bottom of the pan (adjust the number of cut shapes if you want larger or smaller pieces). Bake for 50 minutes.

5. While the baklava bakes boil the sugar and water until combined. Add the vanilla and honey and simmer for 20 minutes.

6. Remove the baklava from the oven and immediately pour sauce over it. Let cool to room temperature uncovered.

Enjoy.

You will love these two recipes. The first is healthy and delicious while the second one is sweet and mouth-watering. If you want to learn more olive oil recipes visit the IOCC webpage and click the Olive World tab; remember as well to visit the Food from Around the World link on the “useful links” section to discover more delicious Mediterranean recipes.

Let's Change the Hyatt for...

When most of us think of traveling, we think about 5-star resorts or fancy cruise lines, and who am I kidding, staying at an expensive English castle or watching a Broadway play inside an enormous boat does indeed sound tempting. However, spending big bucks is not always equal to a great vacation which is why I would like to introduce you to another form of travel: studying abroad. The following is a description of an amazing day in my study abroad program.

At 6:00 AM I wake up to go running down a narrow path overlooking the ocean; I choose to wake up so early because one hour later, the heat is so extreme there is no way I would run even one mile. After a 45 minute jog, I come back to the main house to eat breakfast in a peaceful bliss; a cup of Greek yogurt with honey, a toast with orange jam and a cup of milk, one boiled egg, and little bit of peach juice on the side start my day. Finally, a giant peach closes my light and healthy breakfast.

It is around 7:15 now and although it is not recommended to swim in the ocean right after a meal, the idea is too appealing so I dip right in. Half an hour later I take a “cold” shower, and I say “cold” because, like I mentioned before, the weather is now so hot it is the heat, and not the heater, what warms up the water.

A little bit after 8:00 AM I hand-wash my laundry and leave it to sun-dry—it will be dry in less than an hour. I look at my watch and see it is almost time for my Greek Theater class so I start my two minute walk to the main building. Since it is 10 minutes before class starts, the breakfast room is chaotic around this time with the late risers; I converse a little, grab a bottle of water and one of the last peaches for a midday snack, and head to the classroom.

The classes are fun; mask-making, dancing, theater, role-playing, and debate, were some of the amazing classes offered by the Hydrama Theater and Dance Center. Of course a theater class would not be complete without a visit to one of the most ancients stages in the world, Epidaurus, and a fun course would not be the same without a one-day sail adventure. And no visit to Greece would be complete without a field-trip to the temple of Delphi and the Parthenon.

Classes start at 9:00 AM and continue until around 1:00 PM. At this time the 22 students get ready for a first-rate meal. Our meals are prepared by Marina, a Hydra native who gives our meals a made-at-home quality that only a mom can compare to. From the traditional stuffed grape-leaves and moussaka to less traditional dishes like pork chops, each of our meals is accompanied by Greek Salad, tzatziki, and many loafs of home-made bread. Our meal ends with a slice of watermelon and I must mention, for the duration of the program, not once did I dislike any of the dishes prepared by the gracious Marina.

It is 3:00 PM now, time for a three hour nap-time and what do you do at this time, well exactly that, take a three hour, well deserved nap to escape from the scorching heat. 6:00 PM is the time to restart classes, which go on until dusk. It is at this time when we grab our diaries to write about our day experiences and thoughts while listening to traditional Greek music in the background. Then we reunite again for dinner which goes from 9:00 to 10:00PM and after this comes Party-Time!

We walk to the main port at around 11:00 PM. After a 30 minute walk we arrive to a very crowded harbor where we separate into groups to look for the best possible spot and the most delicious desserts. We dance, meet some locals and many tourists, drink the traditional ouzo and at 1:30 AM I decide I’ve had a rewarding day so I retire for the day to wake up at 6:00 AM the next morning.

Yes, an awarded hotel is nice once in a while, but living abroad for a week or a month is an experience like no other. For less than $8,000.00 I had a month of amazing experiences and great memories that a $2,000.00 per night hotel (fun not included) can’t offer. Just remember to do some research about the program that fits you and your wallet best; in the Useful Links section, you can find some websites that specialize in different types of immersion programs. Theater, cooking, yoga, and photography are few of the many courses you can take abroad. And if this is not for you, then think about working, volunteering, being an intern or just exploring a foreign country. Whether you are a student or a retiree think about having some fun abroad—believe me, you will not regret it!

Welcome to Hydra

Let me introduce you to the beautiful Island of Hydra in Greece; unlike the ultra-famous Islands of Santorini and Mykonos, Hydra is a quiet Island with few tourists and full of charm. There are no cars in the island with the exception of two multi-task trucks. This lack of cars brings a welcome tranquility and the perfect atmosphere to relax from the stress of city-life.

To get to Hydra you can either take a 3 hour ferry ride from the port of Piraeus in Athens or take the much faster hydrafoil called “The Flying Dolphin.” I have seen many ports in my travels but none like the port of Hydra. Hydra Town takes your breath away; the waters are pristine despite the boat traffic, the town has a historic look to it, and the harbor is full of traditional coffee shops, restaurants, bakeries, and the main form of transportation, donkeys!

Now, if you are expecting white sand beaches, then perhaps this is not the island for you; most of the beaches in the island of Hydra are rock beaches and the main town where the port is located actually lacks a beach.  However the surrounding villages such as Kamini and Vlychos do count with rock beaches; remember to take water shoes with you to avoid sharp rocks and sea urchins.

Hydra is full of nightlife; from bars to restaurants opened after 2 AM you will not find a shortage of fun at night. Eating nutella crepes at 1:00 AM was one of my favorite pastimes, and dancing after my sweet indulgence was a must to shed the pounds. Perhaps you will even see a couple of famous people relaxing around bars and restaurants since Hydra is known for hosting bohemian celebrities.

There are a couple of hotels in the Island of Hydra; since I stayed in private accommodations, I cannot recommend any hotels first-hand. However, while exploring the island I found Hydra Hotel and fell in love with its architecture, accommodations, and location; the staff was friendly enough to let me have a private tour of the beautiful hotel, and the reviews in the internet are great. Since the island is small make sure you have your reservations before you arrive in Hydra, especially if you go during the summer.

Hydra is not a cheap place, but it is definitely worth it; in my opinion Hydra is one of the most beautiful towns in the world. If you are planning to travel to Greece, make Hydra a must-stop in your journey.

Let Me Introduce You to...

Before I start to blog about Europe I would like to introduce you to three very amazing companies you might have heard of: Airbnb, Busabout, and Ryanair.

Out of the three companies Airbnb is the most international since it offers accommodations worldwide. Unlike hotels or hostels Airbnb gives you the opportunity to live like a local because it provides you with the unique opportunity to rent your own space; from apartments to castles and even boats you can find the perfect place for you and your family and/or friends. Sadly when I went to Europe I was unaware of Airbnb, but on my trip to New York I tried it and loved it! I and 4 of my friends rented two apartments during our stay in the New York; the first one was in Harlem and the second one was just a few blocks away from Central Park. In both places each of us paid a little under $15.00 per night! This is a great price considering that we had 2 separate bedrooms, a living room, a kitchen, and of course air conditioning and a clean bathroom. Also, Airbnb is a great place where you can rent your property and make an extra income to pay the bills during the days you go out on a vacation. If you’ve always dreamt of owning your very own French château or Italian villa but your income doesn’t allow it, then visit Airbnb for the opportunity to own these places – even if it’s for a couple of days only.

Busabout is the perfect way to visit Europe; as the title implies a bus takes you around Europe, but the best part is that you design your own schedule and stops. This is the company I chose to travel in Europe; it is affordable, a great way to meet new friends, and best of all, you are the one who decides what to see and where to stay! When you buy your Busabout ticket you choose one of the many routes the company offers. In this case let’s say you choose Paris, Bern, Lucerne, Munich, St. Tirol, Venice, and Rome. So you start in Paris, you look at the bus itinerary and see that the buses leave on odd days (the 3^rd, 5^th, 7^th, and so on). You decide you want to stay in Paris for a week and that you will leave to Bern on the 25^th. You get to Bern and decide that while you’ve never heard of this city, you love it, so you get off the bus, check the company’s (recommended) hostel and book a room on the spot. You end up staying in Bern for 4 days. Then you take the bus again, get to Lucerne and decide the city is not your cup of tea, so you stay on the bus and go to your next destination. It is that easy! The company also has tours you can sign up to and many activities that go from hiking to paragliding. Finally, if you feel like visiting the Greek Islands, then Busabout also provides Island Hopping which works exactly as I mentioned before, but this time you hop on-and-off a boat.

Lastly Ryanair is a cheap way to fly between European cities. For an average of 39 Euros you get faster from one city to the next; Ryanair is the one company I have never tried, but I have heard great things about the company from friends I made during my Euro trip.

These three companies give you great alternatives to experience Europe so check their websites and find out if these travel options are for you.

Mexico City, Safety

I thought to address one final issue concerning Mexico and even though I left this issue for last, this is perhaps the topic that concerns most tourists: safety. Time and again I see news about violence in the country; in part this is true for in the last 5 years around 35,000 people have died in drug-related violence. However most of this violence is taking place in Mexico’s northern border and the Pacific states. For its part, Mexico City is relatively safe; this summer I went to the country’s capital and was pleasantly surprised to find that walks after sunset are still peaceful and beautiful just like 15 years ago.

In any case, this does not mean to disregard caution altogether; Mexico City might be safe but it’s still no Paris or Tokyo. Be cautious and observant; the best tourism advice I have received came from my father and that was “Do not act like a tourist!” In other words, own the place, plan what you will be doing for the day and the routes you will take, walk like you know where you are going, and be aware of what is happening around you.  

So that its it, I hope you have an opportunity to visit this beautiful city; its culture, people, history, diversity, landscape, beautiful weather, and inexpensive life-style make Mexico City one of the most stunning cities in the world.

Mexico City, Where to Go

Before I recommend you some of my favorite places to see in Mexico City, let me remind you that in the “Visit… “section you can take a look at the official tourism site for Mexico, where you can find anything you need or want to know before you visit this beautiful country.

Let’s start with Mexico City’s historic center.  With more than 4 centuries of history, “El Zocalo” is one of the most emblematic sites in Mexico. Politics, religion, and history merge in this plaza where every September 16^th the people of Mexico celebrate Independence Day. The main cathedral in Mexico is found in this site, as well as the ruins of “El Templo Mayor,” one of the most important religious sites in the ancient Aztec town of Tenochtitlan.

If you are in the mood to visit ancient ruins, then the place to go is my very favorite, Teotihuacan.  The archeological zone of this town is breathtaking; the pyramids of the Sun and the Moon date back to the year 800 a. d., although some of the ruins date as far back as the III century a. d. To get to Teotihuacan you can take a 1 hour bus ride from the bus station called “Central Camionera del Norte” (the bus line is “Autobuses Teotihuacanos”).

Chapultepec is also a tourist favorite; museums, restaurants, parks, lakes, and a free zoo can all be found in this famous area.

La Zona Rosa, is where nightlife is. During the day you can find many restaurants and small businesses, but at night, bars and clubs are full of party goers.

Garibaldi is the place to go to eat traditional Mexican Food while listening to live Mariachi music.

In Xochimilco you can also find traditional Mexican Food, but this time you can eat while riding a “trajinera” (a small boat) through water canals.

Finally, Coyoacan is one of my favorite spots. Coyoacan seems more like a small traditional town inside the giant metropolis; there are many delicious traditional restaurants here, as well as a nice atmosphere in the afternoons, full of people, music, and street shows.

There are many more places to go to in Mexico City; with hundreds of museums, parks, restaurants, architectural wonders, archeological zones, clubs, and monuments, you will definitely need more than a couple of weeks to see all you need to see. But like I mentioned before, the official tourism site for Mexico as well as the Ciudad de Mexico website will help you greatly in your final decision for what to see.

Mexican Recipes

So, a promise is a promise and here are 4 of my favorite Mexican recipes. They are very easy to make and they won’t take a toll on your purse. Just remember, for some of the ingredients you will probably have to go to a specialty store.

Guacamole (serves 4)

Ingr:  2 Hass avocados    2 Roman tomatoes    1/2 onion    2 limes     salt to taste

Prep:  Peel and mash the 2 avocados with clean hands in a large plate. Dice the tomatoes and onion into small pieces and add them to the avocados. Add the salt on top of the mix and squeeze  the juice of the limes on top. Combine everything well and ready, you can now enjoy Guacamole with chips, tacos, or anything else.

 Beans ( serves 6) 

Ingr:   1 cup pinto beans     2 1/2 liters of water     1 clove of garlic     salt to taste

Prep:  Put the water into a medium/large pot and boil. Meanwhile rinse the beans and peal the garlic clove. Once the water boils lower the heat to a very low setting and add the beans and garlic. Cook for 2 1/2 hours or until the beans are very tender (if the beans look dry or with a low amount of water, add boiling water). Once the beans are tender throw away the garlic and add the salt. Let cook for 7 more minutes and turn off the heat. Serve in a plate and accompany with "queso fresco" or cotija cheese, cilantro, onion, and salsa.

*For fried beans add vegetable oil in a casserole, once the oil is very, very hot, add the beans very carfully since the hot oil will jump once you add the broth and beans. Let boil and once the oil comes on top of the beans, mash with a potato masher. After a couple of minutes remove from heat.

Oatmeal Water (serves +12)

Ingr:   1 cup oatmeal     2 cups of milk     2 cinnamon sticks     2 liters of water     sugar to taste

Prep:   Let the oatmeal soak in the water (minus two cups of water) all night. The next morning boil the two left over cups of water with the cinnamon, let cool down. In a blender, blend the oatmeal wih its water plus the 2 cups of milk. Once its blended pour in a jar, add the cinnamon water and sugar. 

Enjoy with ice.

Lemon Pie

Ingr:    1 package of Maria cookies     1 can of condensed milk     1 can of media crema nestle (table cream)     1/2 cup lemon juice

Prep:   In the blender, mix the two cans and start adding the lemon juice little by little to avoid curdling. In an 8 x 8 pyrex arrange the cookies to cover the bottom of the pyrex. Cover the cookies with part of the lemon mix and even out. Repeat these steps until you run out of the lemon mix, (the mix should be the last layer). Cover with aluminum foil and refrigerate overnight. This is one of my favorite desserts and I hope it becomes one of your favorite ones too.

Mexico City, What to Eat

Every single State in Mexico has its signature dishes, and the advantage of visiting  Mexico City is that you can have a taste of those dishes without leaving the capital. Here are a few plates you have to try while you are in Mexico:

·    Tacos: If you’ve never had a taco, shame on you. Probably this is the most famous of all Mexican dishes which consists of a meat or other products, such as beans, wrapped in a corn tortilla. Worldwide the most popular tacos are made of carne asada, chicken, and fish, but in Mexico you can find tacos made with beef’s intestines, tongue, heart, and even the eyes.

·    Birria: My favorite dish in the whole world. Birria is a spicy stew which can be made with many types of meat, but the best one is made with goat. This dish is typical from Jalisco.

·    Cochinita Pibil: Another of my personal favorites, this dish typical from Yucatan is made with pork seasoned in achiote. Cochinita Pibil is usually eaten in tacos.

·    Pozole: This famous stew, like Birria, can be made with many types of meet, but pork is usually the chosen meat and this is combined with hominy kernels (corn). The states of Jalisco and Guerrero are famous for their pozole.

·    Mole Poblano. Like its title implies this dish is Puebla’s specialty. Mole is made with chicken covered in a very special sauce which combines many flavors such as chocolate and chili peppers. Because of this mix of flavors, many tourists find its particular flavor strange.

I have just given you a small glimpse into the flavors of Mexico. You can find a list of Mexican dishes in English here, and in Cocina de Mexico you can take a look at many other wonderful dishes divided by region (in Spanish). For now though, let me recommend you some of my favorite restaurants in Mexico City where you can have the dishes I have listed above along with many other flavorful choices:

Arroyo       Enrique       Los Almendros       100% Natural                               Los 3 Caballos      Los Danzantes 

Of course street food vendors are a must, as well as “comida corrida” restaurants where you can have soup or salad, first course, main course, dessert, and a jar of flavored water for as little as $4.00 USD.

In the next blog I will give you a couple of easy Mexican Recipes so you can try them wherever you are so make sure to check back.

*In Restaurantes de Mexico you can find a list of restaurants by location and type of food.