Breaking Perceptions

Your preconceived notions of what Mexico CIty is will likely be completely broken.

People go into Mexico -- especially older and more traditional Americans like my mom --imagining the city is going to be very derelict and dirty. And, it's true, some of the buildings are run down and the traffic and pollution are noticeable! However, you're going to be surprised by the level of glamour, wealth, and beauty that you'll also find in Mexico City.

Expect contrasts in Mexico City. I think a lot of Americans go in with the preconceived notion of what Mexican food is: a tortilla with meat and cheese and beans. But the variety of Mexican food is much greater and varied from the tacos, enchiladas, and burritos we know! I also can't begin to express just how much better the quality of food is in Mexico. Simply because everything you eat is fresher -- the produce is more likely to be freshly picked, and the meat and dairy more likely to be locally raised. The industrial farming of the United States, comparatively, produces blander and lower quality foods. We were most surprised by how much better everything tasted in Mexico—when we got back to the States, we were a bit bummed by the blandness!

Our politicians make us think that Mexicans are criminals, and that the country is lawless and unsafe. While, yes, there is crime there, I didn't feel like I had to be as on guard in Mexico City as I did in Barcelona. Because in Barcelona there's a lot of things, like pickpocketing and scammers, that aren’t a problem in Mexico City. While you should definitely make sure that you don't show flashy jewelry, and you keep your iPhones and wallets in zippered pockets, crimes was not as much of a worry in Mexico City for me.