Mexico City from the Turibus Top

Viewed from the air, the metropolis of Mexico City is awesome in its enormity. Located in the Valley of Mexico at an altitude of approximately 2200 m (7217 ft.), the city embraces the surrounding mountains and creeps up their slopes. The city and its 25,000,000 inhabitants are guarded by (or threatened by!) the active volcano Popocatépetl,  5426 m, (17,802 ft.). Tenochtitlán, the original Aztec city on this site, was conquered by the Spaniards in the early 1500’s, and they eventually rebuilt the city in the Spanish Colonial style.

Downtown Mexico City (Feb. 2012)

During a recent bus trip from Oaxaca to Colima, we spent a couple of nights in Mexico City. The open top of a double-decker bus was the best way to get an overview of  the historical  city center.  Tree tops shaded us and sometimes brushed our faces as the bus wound through commercial and residential areas. Sleek modern skyscrapers contrast sharply with elaborate styles of the past.

Popocatépetl Feb. 2012

Tile building

Swanky shopping center

Soumaya Museum built by billionaire Carlos Slim

Skyscrapers and palms

Skyscrapers 3

Skyscrapers 2

Skyscrapers 1

Skyscraper 4

Styles of the Centuries

Shaded street

Shopping mall

Parks for relaxing

Palácio de Belles Artes

Original post office

Overshadowed by modernity

Monumento a la Revolución

Detail Mon. de Revolución

Geometric Design

Monument to Benito Juárez the only Indigenous president of Mexico

Lotería Nacional

Keeping Watch

Historical backed by recent

Geometric Design

Columna de la Independencia

Detail of Columna

Detail of tile covered building

Church towers

Church at Plaza San Fernando

Centro Bursátil

Winged Horse Statue

We definitely look forward to exploring Mexico City in more detail!