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Mexico City/Centro
Mexico City/CentroThe old city center of Mexico City, around the Zócalo, is a very large area with an enormous amount of stores, street vendors, and people. Most people here walk, as it's the easiest way to get around in the sometimes narrow streets. Apart from the Zócalo itself and the surrounding historical buildings and museums, things worth seeing include the art deco opera building "Bellas Artes" by Eje Central (the whole area surrounding the opera is full of wonderful art deco buildings). Close to the opera is the Latinoamericana tower, an old-style highrise building with a viewing gallery and small cafe in the top floors (entrance is 35 pesos per person), from which you can get a very good view of the entire downtown area. Going up here is much more worth it if it's a windy day, the wind clears the smog away and makes the view truly spectacular.
A couple of blocks south along Eje Central are the streets of República del Salvador and República de Uruguay, which are full of computing and electronics stores. Enter the Plaza de Computación if you have the time and are of the geeky persuation, it's an enormous indoor market of little stalls hawking computer parts and electronics, the closest thing to Chiba City you'll ever see, minus the black market cybernetics (but pirated computer games are readily available, both insides the market, and on the sidewalks outside).
==See==
*The '''Zócalo'''. the city's main square It's impressive in itself, being the world's second largest square (the biggest being the Red Square in Moscow).
*'''Cathedral'''. the largest in the Americas.
*'''National Palace'''. 16th century government building constructed by Hernán Cortés himself. The walls are adorned with intricate murals by Diego Rivera.
*'''Templo Mayor'''. The great temple of the Aztecs when Mexico City was Tenochtitlán, the capital of the Aztec empire. The temple ruins are not very impressive, since much of the stone was used for constructing the cathedral, but there is an adjacent museum. $5. Free for students with ID.
*'''Holy Inquisition Building'''. Houses various historical and religious exhibits, normally changing them twice per year.
*'''Old Medical College'''. A permanent medical history exhibition, as well as varying exhibitions on belief and superstition.
*'''Mining Palace'''. Houses historical exhibitions.
*'''San Idelfonso College'''. Houses historical exhibitions.
*'''Tamayo Museum and Anthropology Museum''' in Chapultepec Park. These are must see.
==Eat==
*'''Cafe de Tacuba''', 28 Tacuba. Housed in a former convent, this institution serves up tasty Mexican dishes all day for reasonable prices. No reservations accepted, but very popular so arrive early. Menu in English and Spanish
*'''Cafe el Popular''', 52 Cinco de Mayo. A quintessential breakfast joint offering a range of tasty egg dishes for well under USD $4 and surealistically low chrome ceilings.
*'''Ostioneria Las Palmas''', in Centro. Fantastic ceviche, superior huachinango al ajillo; everything very, very fresh, very, very tasty, quickly served, and very inexpensive. Interesting old specialist shops on neighborhood streets.
==Drink==
*'''Tenampa''', Plaza Garibaldi, Eje Central (''In the corner of the Garibaldi square''), M-Su 12PM-3AM. The original and most famous Mexican cantina, traditional home to the bohemians and mariachis of the 40s and 50s. Huge selection of tequila and mezcal, light mexican food, and mariachi bands, photographers, and "how much AC electrical current can we send through your body before you cry uncle" machines for rent. MXP100-500 (very up to you).
==Sleep==
*'''Hotel Principal''', 29 Bolivar. Clean, friendly, and well run hotel with a range of rooms. Most overlook a quiet inner courtyard. Doubles from the low USD $20s.
*'''Hotel Majestic''', on the Zocalo. The location is great, the rooms are clean and comfortable but the service is vaudevillian. The restaurant on the top floor has a superb view of the Cathedral and Presidential Palace but the food isn't worthy of the ambience. $120 (''double'').
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