san angel, mexico:

San Angel is one of the most beautiful neighbourhoods I have ever seen. A big statement I know, but it really is. Located about a 15-20min dive south of the centre of Mexico City, San Angel is home to some of Mexico City's elite, with lots of incredible properties hidden behind some of the most beautiful gates and doors you have ever seen. Now, this might not sound like the making of a really stunning area, but for some reason, San Angel is. The cobbled stoned streets are lined with mutli-coloured facades, and overflow with an abundance of plant and garden life. This combination makes for an area that oozes with so much character, that we literally were ooohing and ahhhing at every turn. It was just so beautiful and dreamy.
The photos below don't really do the area justice, however I have tried to capture all the colours we saw.

Enjoy!

Next: one last post from Mexico City, and then it's on to Oaxaca!

 

 

 

parroquia de san jacinto

left: frida kahlo's other blue house

diego rivera's house, which is linked to kahlo's by a bridge

teotihuacan, mexico:

About an hours drive north of Mexico City is the ancient city of Teotihuacan. 
Thought to have been established around 100BC - 250 AD, it was the largest city in the Americas prior to Christopher Columbus' arrival. The most striking feature of Teotihuacan are it's two imposing pyramids - the Pyramid of the Sun and the smaller Pyramid of the Moon.
We both climbed to the top of the Pyramid of the Sun, which was well worth the effort, culminating in an incredible view of the entire site and surrounding mountains. We also climbed the Pyramid of the Moon, however we were not allowed to climb to the very top. 
Having had visited the Museum of Anthropology a day prior, we had learnt a great deal about Mexico's pre-Hispanic history and culture, which added a great insight to our visit of Teotihuacan. I would highly recommend visiting the museum, and if you can, before you visit any of the ancient sites dotted throughout Mexico.

Next: the gorgeous San Angel neighbourhood

the view from the pyramid of the sun, looking towards the pyramid of the moon

the pyramid of the sun

walking along the avenue of the dead towards the pyramid of the moon

the view from the pyramid of the moon

coyoacan, mexico:

la casa azul

Coyoacan is a pretty little neighbourhood in southern Mexico City, about a 15-20 minute cab ride from the centre. One of the main draw cards to Caoyoacan is famed Mexican artist Frida Kahlo's home, also known as La Casa Azul (the blue house), which is now a museum. The house is where Kahlo grew up and eventually returned to live with her husband Diego Rivera. La Casa Azul not only contains some of Kahlo's beautiful work, but her collection of Mexican folk art, artefacts and personal items, with most of the rooms left as they were in the 1950's before she passed away. It is incredibly stunning, painted cobalt blue with a gorgeous central courtyard, filled with the lushest green plant life.
One of the highlights for me was her studio, with it's abundant natural light, overlooking the courtyard and full of her personal treasures. It is just gorgeous!

Coyoacan as an area is also worth the trip, being a lovely peaceful neighbourhood full of colour and a very lively square. It was great to wander around and soak up the area, it's markets and great food.

I highly recommend a visit to Coyoacan and in particular, La Casa Azul.

Next: the ancient pre-Hispanic pyramids of Teotihuacan.

studio details

coyoacan

yum!

pozole