Mexico City, MEXICO

With a population now estimated at over 25 million people, there sure is a lot to see and do. This my second time in 7 months to visit "DF" as it is referred to (District Federal), and it will be my base over the next 12 days as I explore the areas north and south of the capital.

On weekends, one of the places to be, is at the Zocalo! This is the largest central town square in all of Latin America! I´d say its the third largest in the world I have seen, after Beijing´s Tianamen Square and Moscow´s Red Square. Overlooking is the massive Cathedral -- Latin America´s biggest, and the impressive Palacio Nacional. On certain Sundays, the Zocalo brings together the rhythmic beating of drums, the ankle-rattles of the native dancers and the glowing incense of the medicine Indian men. Most dancers are clad in their spectacular headdresses with colourful feathers, and painted faces. Too much to see, too much to write -- spending time in Mexico City is indeed an experience!

FOR THE FACT FILE
At an altitude of about 2,240 and surrounded on most sides by volcanoes towering at 4,000 to 5,500 meters, its an interesting sight looking down at the city as your plane takes off from the international airport.

The Mexico City Metro (click on picture to enlarge) is the third largest in the world (after Moscow and Tokyo) and by far the world´s cheapest to ride. A ride unlimited by distance and number of transfers costs a mere $0.20. Total length of Mexico City subway is now 201.7 km (excluding the additional light rail system of 18 stations - 18km) . Number of lines: 11 - all (except line 1) are rubber tyred - same as some lines in Paris and the metros of Montréal and Santiago (Chile). The Metro has 175 stations, 24 of which serve two or more lines, 106 underground stations (the deepest of which are 35 meter below street surface); 53 surface stations and 16 elevated stations.

This is the first metro system that uses symbols and colors for identifying stations in order to help the illiterate segment of the population.

The trains are constantly serviced by unlicensed vendors selling anything you can imagine. Pirated CD´s at $1 each, are highly promoted over boom-boxes carried under the salesmen´s arms -- so you get to listen to each track before buying, and before you arrive at your destination, all your Christmas shopping is done!

Its good to be back in Mexico City -- I kinda like this place! By far the most exciting city south of the USA -- maybe with the exception of Buenos Aires and Rio.