First Full Day in Mexico City
We were so excited to find ourselves out of the US and in a foreign country last April during my week long spring break. It was our first trip abroad since the pandemic started. We had planned on visiting Mexico City last August 2021 but with the deadly Delta variant spreading fast at the time we bought our ticket from United, we thought it best to postpone our trip. Although we had been to Mexico at least five times, it was our first trip to the Mexican capital. Prior to our trip we watched countless You Tube videos of fellow travelers to the city and we were truly excited for our turn.
On our very first day, we passed by the Monumento a la Revolución and then made our way to the historical city center walking along the Paseo de la Reforma. We eventually made our way to the Palacio de Bellas Artes, Calle Madero, Sanborns, the Zocalo, the Cathedral, and the Templo Mayor.
Here's a very quick recap of the sights we visited that day.
Walking along the Paseo de la Reforma was a delight. We saw lots of art along the way which made our trek to the city's historical center longer than what it would have taken us had we not stopped to admire and take pictures.
A view of the facade of the Iglesia de San Francisco el Grande. This church was right across Sanborns where we had breakfast early Palm Sunday.
This was the first altar we saw inside the Iglesia de San Francisco el Grande. We had to return many times before we were finally able to enter. Masses were held that Sunday morning and tourist visits were not allowed when the liturgical celebrations were held.
We had our very first meal here at Sanborns. What a place! It's a popular department store with branches scattered all over the city. The very first one we visited was the one along Calle Madero. The place was packed as it was a holiday and the beginning of Holy Week and locals were all on vacation.
One of the several entrances to the Metropolitan Cathedral.
The centuries old Templo Mayor. We spent a lot of time here looking at the ruins and visiting the museum.
The famous Gran Hotel which was used twice as the setting for James Bond movies.
The beautiful Palacio de Bellas Artes. Many tourists went up the Sears building across the street and drank coffee at the very busy coffee shop in one of its floors to get this view. Not wanting to wait in a very long line and fight for viewing space at the always crowded terrace, I took this shot from one of the department store's windows. I don't think the picture came out bad!
Jacaranda trees were all in bloom in many parts of the city.
The Palacio Postal, one of the most beautiful post offices in the world.