Yesterday we found out that the Periferico is a “freeway” that makes a big loop around the city. So we thought it would be a good idea to drive that road and see what we see. So after stopping at a few auto parts stores on the way, we were off track and still hadn’t even got to the Periferico, well actually we had past our “entrance.” We started getting hungry. On the way home from the race track the other night we had spotted a Chinese food place, so we tried to see if we could find again. We did!! We’re so excited, by now we’ve kind of both been craving this. What was funny, the thing that made us take note of this place in the first place was that their banner said it was “Panda Express” - but when we walked in - the food looked good, we placed our order and sat down to look over the menu anyway, and realized that it isn’t “Panda Express” at all. It got us in there though. Still the food was good & definitely satisfied the craving! We did find it interesting that with our meal, they also brought out limes and bolillos (Mexican bread) - the limes we didn’t mind at all, since we usually add it to just about everything we eat anyway - but we didn’t even touch the bread, it just didn’t seem to go. I wasn’t able to finish my plate, so we asked for a box, and when she gave us a bag to put our box in, we put our bolillos in the bag also - especially since we realized we were charged for the take out box.
*Side note about being charged for the take out box - we’ve also found that when we go to the bakery down the street, we’ve been getting charged for the bag to bring the bread home in.
After lunch, we got back on our way - this time we actually got on to the periferico. We passed through the Xochimilco area again and then were headed northbound up towards the Chapultepec area, close to where the Hipodromo (race track) was. It started getting dark a while back and we were seeing the freeway in the opposite direction getting pretty jammed up. But now, it seems we were hitting the part of town that was rush hour jam packed in both directions. So we decided to bail and see about taking a more direct road home. We’re going to have to save this route for another day.
It really did feel great to be on the road again in Charlena exploring. The city definitely doesn’t seem as intimidating and confusing when armed with a detailed street map! We own a Mexican atlas, that has 2 page spreads of each of the states as well as the Distrito Federal, but we’re borrowing a detailed street atlas of the city from one of his cousins & it makes finding our way soo much easier! I love maps!
We found our way home, and it may sound a little silly - but we were quite proud of that! Now we know for sure, we can get anywhere in this city.
Since we were out and about today, it’s reminded me of a few things I’ve been meaning to jot down - observations, a few things for the senses:
Electricity here in the city is LIVE and LOUD. You can hear it buzzing from the wires above your head. When you’re at a park, or stopped at a stop light with your windows down. It’s quite loud.
Public restrooms are few and far between, usually there are none or if there are - you have to pay to use them. The exceptions would be in larger “chain” stores - these usually have them and for free, like over there. And in some cases you need to pay to use a “public restroom” and also for some toilet paper. So just a tip - make sure you always carry toilet paper with you! This is a lesson that I’ve drilled into my head since Allison (Josue’s 5-year old niece) was showing us the contents of her purse & in it was “papel del baño,” a little doll and some candy - you know, all the necessities a girl needs!
Traffic is thick here in the city, but even then you hear people saying that “with no traffic like this, you could get there in 20 minutes.” People use their horns here as much as they use the gas petal or brakes. If you are stopped at a red light, expect to get honked at, obeying “semaforos” (street lights) and street signs seems to be only optional.
It’s been fun… it’s been a lot of fun, navigating through the city. We’re looking forward to riding the metro and driving around more, exploring this city definitely takes time and we're thankful to have this chance.
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