After the wonder of my Galapagos trip I spent a few nondescript days in Quito due to some very average weather and the fact I was exhausted from the trip. I arrived in Mexico City (DF) over two weeks ago, and have fallen in love with the country! I have spent some time in the city, a week in Cuernavaca and a weekend in Querétaro.

I stayed in the same hostel for two nights on three occasions now in DF and that hostel and location had been a large part of why I’ve taken to the city and country so much. StayinnBarefoot The hostel is only six months old, so everything is in great condition, super helpful friendly professional staff, in the heart of Condesa area, five minutes from metro stop, stylish design and a great little restaurant downstairs run by two great guys. Places like this are dangerous for travellers and I’ve stayed a little longer then planned. I’ve also met some really great people here.

There is so much to do and see within the city, and some days I was a little overwhelmed by the history, culture and museums. I think they way I’ve been dipping in and out of the city has made it a lot more manageable. Without sounding to much like lonely planet…highlights…..Zocalo and historic centre, Anthropology Museums, Frida Carlo museum, Palacio Belles Artes, Torre Latinoamericana, Chapultepec Park and woods, Condesa area. And a touristy but fun night out to “Lucho Libre” wrestling which was pure comedy!

I also visited the Teotihuacan archeological pyramid sites which was really impressive. On the way back we hid our cash and cameras as a previous fellow hostel stayer had been held up on the return journey, we were lucky and had no problems.

In my second week in Mexico I was incredibly lucky to have the use of a house in Cuernavaca that some friends own. An hour south of the city, its a pretty large city in itself but the centre and all the places of interest are very close together and I had a great day exploring the place. My highlight was the “House of Tom Brady” musuem which is more like a home rammed full of arts and crafts that was really very special. Including some works by Frida Carlo and Diego Rivera. I had also been recommend to check out a very nice restaurant by my friends, as I was on my own I just went for a drink on the Sunday afternoon, the rest if the patrons were very smart families and I felt a bit scruffy on the lawn surrounded by peacocks in my shorts and flipflops! But the maître d assured me I was fine with the ubiquitous “Mi casa es tu casa”, that I’m hearing everywhere in Mexico. Added to that they only charged me for one of my two “muy rico” piña coladas!

I had also met a lovely girl on my Galapagos trip who also lives in Cuernavaca, who took me out to the beautiful village of Tepoztlán, which sits against a dramatic rocky mountain outcrop. We climbed the top of this, which was pretty steep and again a bit if an altitude challenge at 4000m. We congratulated ourselves with some really delicious tacos, quesadillas, and gorditas in the food market. To say I’m a fan of the food here is an understatement! My friend Lia also took me out in Cuernavaca on the Saturday night, and again going places with someone local gave me the opportunity to go to places I wouldn’t have gone on my own, or with other travellers. Also discovered the delights of tamarind margaritas…..double thums up!

After my second stop back in DF I headed north out of the city to Querétaro to stay with some friends I’d met in Bariolche in Argentina for a few hours back in November. They were incredible, hosts, so friendly and accommodating! Their city centre is beautiful, they also took me to San Miguel de Allende and the worlds third tallest monolith at Bernal. Again experienced more food delights, and “Michelada”- beer with salt, lime and different spices and salsas….almost like a Bloody Mary mix with beer….trust me way better than it sounds! We finished Sunday night destroying some ropey tequila at a friends house which I paid for on the bus ride the following morning….

So my first two weeks in Mexico have been a definite hit! Food, people, beautiful cities and towns and a shed load of history and culture! Bring on the south which apparently just gets better…..