México 2.0: Museo Nacional de Antropología

The last thing I saw in Mexico was the Museo Nacional de Antropología, or the National Museum of Anthropology. It is a national museum, and the largest and most visited museum in Mexico. I wanted to go here, since I didn't make it when I first visited back in 2011. So on my last day, I packed my bags, had breakfast, checked out of my hotel, and stored my luggage with the concierge. After doing so, I headed out and rode the metro heading to Chapultepec Park, where this museum is located.

México 2.0: Ex-Convento de Churubusco

The former monastery of Churubusco is located in the neighbourhood of Coyoacan. After checking out Leon Trotsky's former home, I headed here to see what it is about. There's actually plenty of history here, and while it is not a monastery anymore, it still functions as a historical museum.

México 2.0: Museo Leon Trotsky

So I came back to Mexico City. I have one night left, before I fly back to Europe. This time, instead of staying in a hostel, I booked myself a room in a 3-star hotel in the Historic Centre. After arriving at the bus station, I took a cab, went directly to the hotel to check in, and once I was checked in, I went out again to explore the areas that I still haven't seen. This time I went back to the neighbourhood of Coyoacan and headed to the former house of Soviet dissident Leon Trotsky.

México 2.0: Eating and Sightseeing in Puebla

My two nights in Puebla were fun. It was a city that was just the right size, I explored it up and down, left and right. And boy they have so many interesting places to eat as well. After all, this is the birthplace of the mole poblano, that dark brown sauce that has so many ingredients in it.

México 2.0: Templo de Santo Domingo in Puebla

I was strolling along the parallel streets of Puebla, when I came across the Dominican church north of the zocalo, which was built between 1650 and 1690. There's one reason to visit this church, and that is to check out the Capilia del Rosario, a very stunning room in this historical building.

México 2.0: Biblioteca Palafoxiana in Puebla

Plenty of travellers nowadays seek "hidden gems". Well, perhaps I found one, in Puebla. Though I must say, I found it with the help of a guidebook. So if you read a guidebook, you'll find this one. On the other hand, if you despise guidebooks, then you probably won't even know this place exists. This is the Biblioteca Palafoxiana, the first public library in the Americas, located within the Casa de la Cultura, a cultural institution located within a former bishop's palace.

México 2.0: Museo del Ferrocarril in Puebla

After two nights in Pachuca, I was on the move again. I went to the bus station and took a bus that took me to Puebla. I've actually been to Puebla before, but back in 2011 I only spent an afternoon in the town. I visited Puebla back then as a day trip combined with the city of Cholula. I figured I needed more than an afternoon to explore this city, so I based myself in a hotel for two days while I explored it. And I must say that was a good choice: I actually had plans to do a day trip to Tlaxcala but I enjoyed Puebla so much that I decided to abandon that plan. I just ate good food (Puebla is where mole originates), and checked out interesting museums. Museums such as the Mexican National Railway Museum, set in Puebla's old train station.

México 2.0: The British Connection and the Mining Industry in Pachuca

As my previous posts about Mineral del Chico and Real del Monte indicate, the Mexican state of Hidalgo has a history with the mining industry. See, back then, plenty of English miners (hailing from Cornwall) went here and propagated the industry. The Cornish miners were here quite long enough to have influenced Hidalgo's heritage in various ways.

México 2.0: Mineral del Chico

I was using Pachuca as a base, and while I was there, I went to several mountain towns, including Real del Monte and Mineral del Chico. For both towns, I needed to take a microbus from Pachuca, which then climbs up and slowly heads to places that don't really look like your typical Mexican stereotype of a town.

México 2.0: Real del Monte

I only spent one night in Tula. The day after, I packed my bags once more, headed to the bus station, and this time I bought a bus ticket to Pachuca. A few hours later, I found my hotel, checked in, and unpacked. And another hour or so later, I found myself face to face with a pastie, the pastry which is a specialty of the area. This was during lunch, and after lunch, I headed to the minibus station in order to go up. My destination was the town of Real del Monte.

México 2.0: The Archaeological Site of Tula

After three days in Mexico City, I opted to venture north this time. I skipped Teotihuacan, as I have been there before in 2011, so I took the bus and went to Tula de Allende instead. It's a few hours north of Mexico City, so I hauled my bag to Terminal Norte, and I found a ticket for a bus that leaves in half an hour. Once we left, I made myself comfortable, and a few hours later, I found myself in my hotel room. And the archaeological site of Tula is an easy walk from where I was staying.

México 2.0: The House and Studio of Diego Rivera and Frida Kahlo

My stroll of the San Ángel neighbourhood of Mexico City ended at the house of Diego Rivera and Frida Kahlo. It is located at the northeastern part of the neighbourhood, and is now functioning as a museum. I spent about an hour and a half in there, and as I was strolling inside, I realised how crazy Frida's and Diego's relationship was to each other.

México 2.0: Exploring Colonia San Ángel in Mexico City

Colonia San Ángel is a fancy neighbourhood. I haven't explored this neighbourhood during my first visit, so I opted to check it out this time. It was during this time when I realised what was bugging me during my visit to Mexico City.

México 2.0: Strolling in the Parque de la Bombilla in Mexico City

On my second visit to Mexico City, I made it a point to visit neighbourhoods that I haven't checked out in my previous visit. One of these neighbourhoods was San Angel, in the south, so I took the metro and walked, starting from the Parque de la Bombilla.

México 2.0: Museo José Luis Cuevas

José Luis Cuevas was a rebel. Mexico's art scene was concentrated on murals, but José Luis Cuevas wanted none of it. He is actually a proponent of the Breakaway Generation, and his works definitely have a different style. He uses a lot of distortions, and the images he portrayed aren't necessarily pretty.

México 2.0: Antiguo Colegio de San Ildefonso

I found my hostel easily. So I dropped off my bags, and repacked. Once I had my day bag ready, I went out and explored for the rest of the afternoon. I have been to Mexico City before, when I spent a week in 2011, but there are still areas of the city that I haven't touched. The area north and east of the Zocalo for example is still unexplored for me. So this is where I ventured out, and I found the Antiguo Colegio de San Ildefonso, or the San Ildefonso College.

México 2.0: Onward to Mexico City

After spending two nights in Taxco, it was time to move on. I was heading to Mexico City, and spending three nights there. So after taking a shower, I quickly packed my bag and headed to the bus station in Taxco, and I bought a ticket for the next bus to Mexico City. A 3 hour bus ride awaited.

México 2.0: Grutas de Cacahuamilpa

While I was staying in Taxco, I took a day trip to Grutas de Cacahuamilpa National Park. There is a bus that links Taxco with the park which runs relatively frequently, so one morning, after breakfast, I bought a ticket and ventured out.

México 2.0: Templo de Santa Prisca in Taxco

In the 18th century, there was once a man from France and Spain; his name was José de la Borda. He immigrated to New Spain, and amassed such a fortune that he even constructed a church with them. This church was the Templo de Santa Prisca, sitting right in the middle of Taxco.

México 2.0: The Old Town of Taxco de Alarcón

After spending three nights in Cuernavaca, I headed onward to Taxco de Alarcón. I went to the bus station and bought a ticket, and a few hours later, I found myself on one of the hilliest towns in Mexico.