Mexico City

Mexico City has both surprised and delighted us. Away from ideas that we can have on the dangerousness of the city, we felt at home when we arrived!

People

It is said that the people of Mexico are friendly and hospitable. Starting with our guests Arturo and Jean-Pierre, we have to admit that we were not disappointed! There was no rush on the subway. People in the street were helpful and willing to guide us and give us information. The age of the parents is quite challenging. We were able to see many very young parents (often as a couple) with their children. The issue of early motherhood really arises apparently by Mexican authorities. Indeed we noticed that the number of children in the streets is quite impressive!

Metro

The metro is quite developed in the city. It is pretty well spread all over the capital. They are long red trains that host millions of passengers daily. The name of the line stations are listed in the form of pictographs: a pictogram per station, the name written in small print below. Practical when you can not read; we know all the stations. Less for the others! The metro is an ideal place to observe the practices of trade and therefore consumption. Street vendors succeed constantly with all kinds of objects: pens, hammers, bouncing balls, bandages, pirate CDs (monopoly of blind equipped with loudspeakers on their backs). The "artists" take over the sellers. For example, children with clowns, storytellers, musical background, men doing somersaults on pieces of glass etc.

Disability

Apparently, the city is quite well suited to the disabled. All sidewalks are equipped with specific access for wheelchairs at crosswalks. However, we have not really met disabled in the streets. And even less in the subway that is very poorly equipped with elevator or escalator. By cons, the Mexico City airport apparently applies a policy of employment of disabled people, including info points where flyers are distributed exclusively by people in wheelchairs!

Besides being a beautiful city, rich in architecture and art, Mexico City is ultimately a human capital despite its huge size and its heterogeneity. What a treat!

(Article also written by Karine, one of my best friends who came from France to visit me in Mexico for three weeks, and editor in chief for the occasion)