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Exploring the Americas
  • Jan Henle
  • Jan Henle

Exploring the Americas

Esther and Jan's trip through South and Central America En savoir plus
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  • Jan HenleExploring the AmericasVoyageur

    ++ Mexico ++ Mexico City I: Downtown

    3 octobre 2022, Mexique ⋅ ⛅ 23 °C

    After a surprisingly comfortable night, we took an early flight from Chetumal to Mexico City, our final base on this trip. Since we couldn't check in yet, we went out to get our first fill of yummy tacos. Afterwards, we drove into the historic center downtown to take part in a free walking tour, which took us from the main square/cathedral, via the old Aztec temples, old catholic convents and along beautiful streets, the golden post office, the blue tiles casa azulejos up to the Torre latinoamericana.
    After a dinner inside casa azulejos, we finally called it a day.
    Despite quite some construction and many main sights curtained off (fearing protest assemblies), we had a great first impression of Mexico and it's capital.    En savoir plus

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  • Jan HenleExploring the AmericasVoyageur

    Mexico City II: Polanco

    4 octobre 2022, Mexique ⋅ ⛅ 22 °C

    On our first full day, we explored the rich and fancy neighborhood of Polanco. After breakfast in a cool bookshop, we walked down tree covered lanes, watching dog sitters and posh cars going by.
    We needled back to avenida de la reforma, the green main street, which is not only a main thoroughfare, but is also lined by wide park like sidewalks. Nearby was the Museo de la Antropología - apparently one of Mexicos best museums. A huge, modern museum showing the history of mankind and Mexicos many pre-Spanish cilivizations; we focused on Teotihuacan, mexica/Aztec and Maya.
    Our brains filled to the brim, we relaxed in the Bosque de Chapultepec, Mexico Citys Central Park. In the middle of the park you find the namesake castle, which was surprisingly gorgeous even by European standards and had spectacular views over modern Mexico City.
    We then walked over to the more hipster neighborhood of Condesa to have a contrast to Polanco, but due to rain, we didn't do much more than a late lunch. Save it for another day.    En savoir plus

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  • Jan HenleExploring the AmericasVoyageur
    1

    Mexico City III: Teotihuacan & Garibaldi

    5 octobre 2022, Mexique ⋅ ⛅ 20 °C

    The last early rise of our trip. We caught a 5:30am shuttle that would take us out to Teotihuacan, the ancient temple city near Mexico City with its famous pyramids. Based on recommendations from fellow travelers, we opted to explore the site with a hot air balloon ride from above. Truly majestic, how the Ballons slowly rise from the ground. The ascent then was slow and without any shaking. Initially, I was a little afraid, but then got used to being in the air in this small basket.
    It was a little cloudy, which made for a great sunrise and atmosphere and we were lucky to at least catch a glimpse of the pyramids through the fog.
    Back on ground, we then walked through the complex (unfortunately you're not allowed to climb the pyramids anymore). Quite impressive considering they are almost 2000 years old - understandable that the civilizations that followed the initial builders (such as the Aztecs) continued worshipping these majestic buildings.
    After a rest when we returned to to the City, we had one more agenda item: Plaza Garibaldi - famous for its mariachi bands. We had dinner at a friend's recommended restaurant and asked for a song - as is the custom. While we both won't become the biggest fans, we were happy we experienced this part of Mexican culture.    En savoir plus

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  • Jan HenleExploring the AmericasVoyageur
    1

    Mexico City IV: Coyoacán

    6 octobre 2022, Mexique ⋅ 🌧 19 °C

    Today, we took a longer ride out south to the bohemian arts quarter of Coyoacán, where Frida Kahlo used to live. With low buildings and tree shaded alleyways, it seems almost like a village in the city.
    After a hearty breakfast (no more scrambled eggs and no more tacos please), we explored the quarter a bit. At noon, we had tickets to enter the Frida Kahlo museum. The building - the blue house where she actually lived - was beautiful, however both Esther and I are not the greatest admirers of her art itself.
    In the afternoon, we had booked a food tour with our great guide Rosa, who showed us all Coyoacán has to offer. Which is essentially tacos in all shapes and forms and fillings. We still had a great time as we also felt like we got to know the area a lot better.    En savoir plus

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  • Jan HenleExploring the AmericasVoyageur

    Mexico City V: Roma, Condesa, Av Reforma

    7 octobre 2022, Mexique ⋅ ⛅ 21 °C

    On our last day, we had no fixed plans, but only walked around the trendy neighborhoods of Roma and Condesa. This is where many expats live and where cool restaurants and cafés abound. While not as busy as expected (I guess it only gets busy after dark), we were surprised by the number of parks and the number of trees in the streets. Mexico City (at least the areas we saw) really is by far the greenest city we've ever been to - not at all what we expected.
    Since we still had some time left before we needed to head to the airport, we took an Uber to the plaza de le revolución with its famous monument and then walked back down Avenida de la reforma, the main street that we had already passed many times but never had taken the time for to explore. Many statues, monuments but also protest camps that gave an overview about the diversity of Mexican culture.
    Then it was time to say goodbye and head to the airport for the flight back to Germany.    En savoir plus

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  • Jan HenleExploring the AmericasVoyageur

    ++ Germany++ Home

    8 octobre 2022, Mexique ⋅ ⛅ 20 °C

    Home. Five countries, 59 days, 58 times eggs for breakfast, 29 different accomodations, 7 flights, 5100 km in buses, 500km on boats, 80km in trains, 960000 steps (says Esther's phone), 3800 pictures (that will be fun to sort), 14 servings of ceviche, 7 dives, 37 exclamations of Esther that she is too old for that shit, 127 churches that Jan really wanted to see.
    It was a packed trip, but exactly as we had hoped; nothing big went wrong (only the missed paragliding in Atitlán was a shame). We feel like we now have a much better understanding of South, Central and southern North America (we learned calling Mexico part of central America is punishable by law) - and it felt all so good to get out of Europe after all that COVID.
    We are happy to see friends and family again, but as always, you return from a trip with a bucket list that is longer than when you left, so our next trip is hopefully coming soon.    En savoir plus

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    Fin du voyage
    8 octobre 2022