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When I travel to another city I like to wander and explore its streets and neighborhoods. I like to imagine myself living there and how my life would be, what kind of friends I would have, what I would do for a living if my decisions had taken me to live there. I like to escape, think my life in different scenarios. Last time I did that I was in Mexico City. I traveled there to attend a concert by my favorite band, Muse. It was an early  birthday gift to myself. I’m turning 40 this year. It was the experience of a lifetime. A cousin who lives in Mexico City came with me to the concert but I also had some time to be by myself as well. I’ve been very blessed to have done a little traveling and visited some of the greatest cities in the world. Their beauty has taken my breath away and I’ve fell in love with many of them, but no matter where I go I always have the same thought “man, this city is amazing, but never like Mexico City”. My heart belongs to Mexico City, forever. I love this city, it is the greatest, most colorful, noisiest, yummiest, coolest there will ever be. It is truly alive, you can feel it beating beneath your feet as you get lost in its many serpent streets and neighborhoods. Whenever I travel there, and I try to do it at least once a year, I visit or revisit different places. I have been traveling here since childhood but there’s always something new to do: a new museum, a new neighborhood, a new restaurant, new flavors, new places… the city is ever changing, always evolving, and what used to be upscale-run down neighborhoods (like the Roma-Hipódromo-Condesa) are hip and cool again, filled with history and the chiquest architecture. Let’s talk about this last 2 adjoining neighborhoods called simply the Hipódromo-Condesa. Las time I visited Mexico City I stayed here. It is a very buzzy cool part of the city conveniently located near the airport and the Foro Sol, the venue where the concert was held. I’ve stayed in this lovely neighborhood a couple times before but never by myself. The landscape acquires a different tonality when admired solo. I didn’t have a set plan, just a lunch reservation for a cool place called Lardo by the even cooler chef Elena Reygadas. But apart from that my time was unscheduled so I could improvise on the go. My flight landed early in the morning so I got there in time for a light breakfast and some exploring. I just started walking around it’s streets, got to Parque México where people were working out at the Foro Lindbergh (an outdoor theater in Art Decó style). I bought a sugar “tamal” and vanilla “atole” from a little food stand on the street and took it back to eat it in the park while others exercised. It was mean, I know, but there’s some guilty pleasure in eating carbs while watching others burn them. When my exploring resumed I found several buildings in Art Decó architecture like the “Edificio Basurto”, a nod to my former student days shared with the always kind and amazing Luce Buona. I even bought some handcrafted art from some vendors on the street: a wooden “alebrije “ and some cool handmade Mexican toys. I also had time for a quick stop in the Rosario Castellanos bookstore which used to be a cinema. Then just enough time to freshen up at my hotel before lunch at lardo and getting in time to the shuttle stop the would take me and my cousin to the concert. By the way, it was awesome! 60,000 people singing to my favorite band at el Foto Sol, quiet and experience. Next morning I grabbed a quick breakfast at my hotel, did a last short walk around my block and got my Uber to the airport to be on time for my flight (the airport is only 15 minutes from this neighborhood, ensuring there is no traffic though . I could make a lot of recs based on my former experiences in Hipódromo-Condesa but I think my best advice is to get lost in it: explore, wander it’s streets, try some cafes or places to eat, have no plan, just go with it. You can just sit at a cafe or a park and read or write or sketch. Don’t bring your headphones, just listen to the city’s music all sounds. I tell you, it’s alive. I’ll leave some lite directions below dough, but I insist: the best way to enjoy these neighborhoods is at your own pace. Neighborhood to explore and get lost in: Hipódromo Condesa Traditional churros and chocolate: Churrería el Moro Avenida Michoacán #27, Hipódromo Fine lunch and dining: Lardo Agustín Melgar #6, Colonia Condesa Cool bookstore: Librería Rosario Castellanos Avenida Tamaulipas 202, Hipódromo Lovely parks Parque México, Hipódromo Parque España, Colonia Condesa Art decó Edificio Basurto Avenida México #187, Hipódromo Plaza Popocatépetl, Hipódromo Foro Lindbergh, Parque México, Hipódromo

Rosetta Restaurant Colima 166, Roma Norte neighborhood, Cuauhtémoc delegation, CdMx. Norte, Cuauhtémoc delegation, CdMx. Roma Norte, Cuauhtémoc delegation, CdMx. delegation, CdMx. Bella Aurora Restaurant Puebla 242, Roma Norte, Cuauhtémoc delegation, CdMx.

La Condesa is definitely the trendy neighborhood in Mexico City, with its cafes, restaurants, terraces and eclectic shops it is, by itself, a perfect tourist destination to enjoy an unforgettable cultural and culinary experience. Built in the 1920s on the terrain that used to occupy the old racetrack (Amsterdam Street is reminiscent of the racing circuit), today it invites you to enjoy its tree-lined streets, modernist architecture, parks and relaxed atmosphere. Here we leave you a 24-hour guide to relax and live a culinary experience while enjoying this magnificent neighborhood. Accommodation: La Condesa offers a wide variety of accommodations for all budgets, from apartments for rent on Airbnb, boutique hotels or a larger-scale hotel. It is worth mentioning that there are no large hotel complexes in the neighborhood, on the other hand there are an endless number of small boutique hotels established in the different houses and mansions of the neighborhood that, in my opinion, is the best way to live the experience and enjoy La Condesa to the fullest. Hotel Villa Condesa Boutique hotel in a typical old house of La Condesa, even the furniture is reminiscent of the golden age of the colony. Located in Colima 428 Col. Roma/Condesa, Mexico City. Roosevelt Hotel Inaugurated in 1938, it is located in an iconic Art Deco building that remains as a testimony of that time. With an excellent location on Av. Insurgentes Sur 287, Condesa Hippodrome, Hotel Roosevelt is another fantastic way to live the Condesa experience. Hotel Andaz Mexico City Condesa Located within a historic building, this recently inaugurated hotel offers a luxurious option to experience the Countess within facilities full of design and color. Location: Aguascalientes 158, Colonia Condesa Breakfast: After a good rest, start your day enjoying a delicious Condesa-style breakfast. Maque Restaurant One of the most emblematic places of La Condesa, opened since 1996, is known for its artisan bakery and its cozy atmosphere. Try their famous chilaquiles accompanied by a delicious coffee. Its terrace is perfect for enjoying the morning while you observe the movement of the neighborhood. I recommend the Garibaldi sweet bread to start your day with a sweet flavor. Location: Av. Ozuluama 4, Condesa We also recommend El Ocho café (Av Mexico 111), Cafeteria (cafeteria and bookstore) El Péndulo (Av Nuevo León 115) or Le Pain Quotidian (Amsterdam 309) for breakfast. Morning walk in Parque Mexico: In the morning you can enjoy a walk through Mexico Park, a green oasis in the middle of the city. Inaugurated in 1927, with its trees and trails, it is ideal for a relaxing walk. Admire its art deco architecture, the sundial and the lake with ducks or go to the Lindbergh forum, located within this park and also of Art Deco design, to admire people skating, enjoying a sports class or even dancing salsa. Don't forget to buy some handicrafts at one of its sales kiosks, relax by reading a good book or simply admire and enjoy its energy, it is a perfect place to rest and recharge. Location: Av. Mexico, Condesa Lunch: Much of the Condesa experience is about tasting its great gastronomic variety without haste. Relax in one of its restaurants and enjoy a "slow food" while admiring the landscape. Lardo This restaurant, created by renowned chef Elena Reygadas, offers a menu that mixes Mediterranean influences with Mexican touches. The decoration is modern and cozy, and its freshly baked bread is a delight that you can't miss. Location: Agustín Melgar 6, Countess We also recommend Merkavá (Amsterdam 53) restaurant with Mediterranean influences or Nonna (Amsterdam 240) authentic Italian food. Cultural Afternoon in the Spain Park: After a good post-meal nap, explore Parque España. Founded in 1921, it is a green space with sculptures and areas to rest. Take the opportunity to take a walk and get ready for dinner time. Location: Av. Nuevo León s/n, Condesa Happy hour on a terrace: Enjoy a night out in one of the many bars and rooftops of the colony. Flavors of the drinks and cocktails of your choice or refresh yourself with a delicious national beer while enjoying the sunset in the city. Rooftop of the Hotel Condesa (Av. Veracruz 102) Rooftop of the Andaz Mexico City Condesa hotel (Aguascalientes 158) Remember that an important part of the Condesa experience is to explore and discover its many bars to enjoy a drink, there is no loss, the options are many and they will allow you to take a "bar hoping" tour. Dinner: After tasting your favorite drink and now for dinner. In Mexico, especially on weekends, after a night out it is customary to have a late dinner. For this we recommend: Yamasan Ramen House Enjoy a delicious ramen that Lauro will leave you to go to sleep El Tizoncito The traditional dinner after it weekend outing: tacos. Is there anything better than this? These are a couple of dinner options for late nights, but if you prefer some fine dining, we recommend Merotoro (Amsterdam 204) before going to a bar. Dessert at Churrería El Moro: And to close with a flourish some delicious churros with chocolate in El Moro. Founded in 1935, this churrería is the perfect place to enjoy a traditional dessert in a classic and cozy atmosphere. With a daily schedule from 9 am to 11 pm, some churros are also an excellent option for a snack. Location: Av Michoacán 27 These are just some of the recommendations that I leave you today, worse remember that the best way to experience La Condesa is in your own style, get lost in its streets and explore it, entering an establishment that catches your attention and following your instinct is the best way to discover it. You can't go wrong!

Three Mexican sisters: Daniela, aged 23, Paulina, aged 21 and Alejandra, aged 18. Vocals, keyboards, drums, bass, and guitar. 5 studio albums, numerous live performances and a world tour that is currently ongoing. A YouTube channel where you can watch videos from 13 years ago of the band playing famous covers rendered in a masterful way (they were just little kids!). Lots and lots of coolness and rock and roll! If you haven't listened to them, you should, because these girls are going places! The first time I knew this band existed it was in 2022, they happened to be the opening act for the Foo Fighters concert at El Foro Sol on March 15th. It was pouring rain and me and my friend got stuck in a traffic jam, making us arrive a bit late, just when The Warning was wrapping up their performance, so, all these along with the adrenaline of attending a majorly crowded massive event while the pandemic was still going, made me, sadly, not pay much attention to the opening act. I just thought “Wow! What a cool girl band” and that was it, the Foo Fighters came out, delivered an insane 3-hour long concert and I relished upon it for the upcoming several months. Then, in January 2023, almost a year after, Muse came to town. I went to see them with my cousin (I’ve told you about it in an older post 😉) and this time we arrived very early. The Warning happened to be the opening act again and this time I paid attention. As they were coming out my very excited cousin told me “I know them! I have their song “Narcisista” in my recurrent playlist!” and she proceeded to tell me about this cool band, how they were three Mexican sisters from Monterrey, how their YouTube channel was filled with videos of covers from when they were just girls, and how their parents (their father being in the music business) had supported them so they could follow their dream of becoming a rock band. I was mesmerized, couldn’t stop looking at them, their music, their style, their hair, their clothes, their young and fresh faces, Daniela’s voice hard and loud and grave. I had the biggest girl crush and rock crush. Then Muse came out, I lost my mind again but in the upcoming weeks I started to do a The Warning research. I visited their YouTube channel and watched their videos, followed them on Instagram in which platform they are very active (and each of them has their own personal account), red their bios and listened to their music. I was right, they truly are the coolest rock band formed by women, and they are Mexican, and sisters and they’re going to be big. They were so damned good that Muse invited them to open their concerts in their European leg tour. I saw (through Instagram) how their experience was and all the cool places they got to play at. When they came back to Mexico, I saw how their fans greet them at the Monterrey city airport. Correction, they ARE big, and they are only going to be bigger. They are making a fuss wherever they go, and their name stands out. They were chosen to be the face of the Pepsi Black ad campaign in Mexico and, right now, they are on their USA tour, but they will be holding concerts in Monterrey, Guadalajara and Mexico City this coming October which is an awesome opportunity to see them perform. I declare myself their fan and am looking forward to attending one of their upcoming concerts. I’ll let you know how it went 😉 In the meantime follow them on Instagram (both on the band profile and on their personal accounts), take a dive into their YouTube channel and check on their upcoming tour dates. You will not be disappointed. It’s funny because I used to question myself as a kid “why are there no great female rock bands?” (Apart from the greatest Janice Joplin, The Donnas and Joan Jett of course, I couldn’t find many more influential rock female figures), well, here they are and they are called The Warning.

For example, the new “Jacaranda” collection is inspired by the streets of CDMX that are now full of purple