Being a Full Time Tourist

Today I did what any normal tourist would do:  Take a four hour bus tour.  I'm actually really glad I did even though it was sooooooooooo long.  It was the first time I had ever gotten a complete view of all that Mexico City has to offer, and after the tour I'm actually worried I'm not going to be able to get to everything before I go back home!  There are so many parts of Mexico to see and explore.  There's downtown, Chapultepec (which is divided into three parts, each with a recommended visit time of at least 2 days), the Alameda, Zona Rosa, la Reforma (which also contains several parts), and really the list goes on forever...I mean the bus tour took four hours and that was just three-fourths of the city!  There's another bus tour that takes a southbound route, which I will definitely be taking next week.  So, without further ado here are few pictures I took on the tour (I was busy being awed!)

Auditorio Nacional

hehe...the Mexican version of the 'big drop' in Great America.  Complete with Pepsi advertising at the top.

Yes, I am indeed in Mexico :)

Pyramid-inspired modern architecture

Monumento a la Independencia (Monument of Independence)

Monumento a la Revolucion (Monument of the Revolution)

I actually don't remember this place...

Fancy Post Office

 Random pictures I took:

 

I had dinner at Cafe Tacuba in the centro historico, or city center.  This was actually the place where Diego Rivera had his wedding feast.  The restaurant is beautiful.  It has vaulted ceilings, murals and stained glass.  The food was fantastic, too.

While I want to comment on Mexican politics, I'm actually too tired right now to make any sense so I'll leave that discussion for later (Mexicans will be voting for their next president on July 1st).  There's a lot of propaganda plastered all over the city;  some of it is very interesting.  I mention it because on the bus tour we passed a park under construction and surrounding the park was this fence. On the fence was written a bunch of political graffiti that demonstrated the discontent and distrust with government.  Things like 'civil disobedience' and 'does your vote really matter?' were written all over. 

This will be my last post until Sunday since I'll be going to Veracruz to enjoy some more Mexican history and beaches!!!  Expect lots of pretty pictures when I get back :)

Where I'll be this weekend: