The journey began with Mexico City: 21 million people in population, full of social contrasts; passionately colorful and a taste pleaser with its excellent cuisine; and not a firm handshake but the warmest hug that welcomes you.

I decided to fully immerse myself in this city for 3 weeks, and it was not enough. Being the city with most museums in the world, I only visited just a small percentage of them; I got to see most of my friends who have moved from Chihuahua to the nation’s capital.

I’m deeply proud of all of them. Maybe pushed to do so due to the violence lived day to day, they’ve made it somehow… The Mexican Millennial generation. I won’t deny that at all time I was a little paranoid since most of the time I was by myself discovering the city, the ginormous concrete jungle. First day I arrived I was a little confused at the airport since instructions were not very clear regarding where to get the passport stamped, and even though Spanish is my first language, the beauty of Mexico sometimes reflects in being messy. After getting in the wrong line the first time finally I got my passport stamped and went through customs without a problem. I didn’t want to be easy and get a cab, no way. So I took the bus to Bellas Artes and from there I got a cab to Magaly’s place to get my key to the apartment I was gonna stay at. Finally in Mexico City! The dream of getting immersed in this city had begun. Little did I know that I would only get to know very little of it since it counts with infinite things to offer. The first night Franco showed me Reforma Avenue, biking around it and like a good tourist the Angel de la Independencia hypnotized me deeply.

Being so close to Bosque de ChapultepecI started the journey with the Museo de Arte Moderno (MAM)where works from Chuck Close, Remedios Varo and Leonora Carrington were being exhibited, not to mention a piece that I had been waiting years and years to see: Las Dos Fridas by Frida Kahlo.It was a very emotional moment being that I’m not only a big admirer but also quite sensitive. And in order to chill out I went to the MAM’s wonderful cafeteria and of course took the exit through the gift shop… and what a delight, the beautiful Chaputepec Park was there: magical, green and alive. This made me keep on going, and several minutes after walking uphill, the Castillo de Chapultepecwas there in all its majesty. It was surreal, I was in a castle in the middle of a forest in the middle of one of the biggest and most amazing cities in the world. I remember that day feeling plenty and happy, a world full of possibilities ahead of me.

Castillo de Chapultepec and Museo de Arte Moderno

Days later I visited Museo Frida Kahlo.The area where it is located is named Coyoacán, and it is indisputably charming. Frida’s home now turned into a museum, and oh, boy is it easy to fall in love with Frida and Diego’s maniac love story! The heart of this woman was a living dream splashed into canvas. In this house the halls, the furniture, Frida’s clothing… her essence expressed in paintings made my blood run warmer and right away after leaving this place I went to the mercado nearby (Mercado Coyoacán), bought one of the best souvenirs ever: one single fresh and sweet mango and ate it as if I was eating my soul back into me.

With my soul getting healthier and more open, I was definitely going to enjoy more partying. So through one of my friend’s recommendation I went to Cine Tonalá, to enjoy Anything for Selenas!This consisted of the Selena movie projection, followed by an impersonation show. Oh gosh so bad so good! Warm folklore entering my body, my heart raced Bidi Bidi Bom Bom! And of course once you pop, you can’t stop so therefore there were another few parties and I danced my little gay heart out.

Of course, not only my heart enjoyed the music, but my stomach enjoyed all the different kinds of delicatessen surprises. For example, Mercado San Juan. For the first time I ate grasshoppers, which are more popular in the south of Mexico rather than in the north, where I was raised. They were good: crunchy and salty!

On the other side of the city, I visited what would be another market but the kind I could not afford: Antara. I’ll write about the contrasts in terms of social classes later on. For now, I’m just remembering the nice side of this, it was impressive to see the wealth in that part of the city (Polanco) and the amazing architecture of Museo Soumayaand its collections exhibiting at no cost every day of the week.

One of the most beautiful days I spent was at Centro Histórico. There’s a little secret to getting to see this view of Bellas Artes: Café de la Gran Ciudad, a coffee shop on the 8th floor in Sears. No words for this beauty. Inside there are murals from David Alfaro Siqueiros and Diego Rivera. These show the social structure and its struggles of that era, so imposing and conscious bender… a reminder that that struggle continues. Around the area I was able the admire the beauty of the main post office of the city: Palacio de Correos. Here it seems as if everything was made out of gold.

Later, I found the jewel called MUNAL. During my stay in D.F. and along my journey in different countries, I tried to go to as many museums as possible, and I am still in awe of the magnificent administration this museum has, which is an art itself. It is one of the best ones I’ve ever been to… I must not forget to e-mail whoever is in charge, I know my opinion may not matter, but I just want to thank for the beauty of management this place has.

The day finished with one of the most beautiful endings. As I barely made it toMuseo Mural Diego Rivera. Diego oh Diego, there it was in front of my eyes:Sueño de una Tarde Dominical en la Alameda Central-> Dream of a Sunday Afternoon at Central Square. I only had 25 minutes to admire this piece and digest all that it had to offer, so I stood in front of ‘La Catrina' painted in the middle of the mural who welcomed me, and I didn't know where to begin, then an older gentleman approached me and asked me if I knew who these people were. I nervously replied with a confusion expression in my face. He kindly sat me on a chair on the farthest point of the room to be able to see the whole image, and explained to me what he could in 25 minutes about every aspect of the mural. If it wasn't for him I wouldn't have been able to enjoy this piece as much as I did… each single character represents a piece of history of the country or refers to something about Diego's personal life. I'm no expert in art history, but this holds so much, that I was amazed as why weren't there lines of people ready to see it like the ridiculous ones awaiting inLouvreto see theMona Lisa. A master piece and a blessing to have had that man explain to me and to get me a safe cab to take me home. I will never forget that day.

Sueño de una Tarde Dominical en la Alameda Central

Days later I decided to go visit what used to be Diego’s studio:Museo Estudio Diego Rivera. And I can’t imagine a more perfect way for two crazy passionate artists to cohabit. I would definitely bet for a type of design like this: minimal and open. I imagined myself with my significant other living in that place, crossing that bridge at night if I had a nightmare to be held in the safety of my lover’s arms, crossing back to my side to get my writing done, picnicking on common grounds… Dreams!

Along my stay in Mexico City, there was an activity I wouldn’t have chosen myself, which was going to a soccer game. My host is a fan of the Aguilas del America team at Estadio Azteca, which can hold up to more than 100,000 people. I was hungover, but the emotion and cheers from the crowd revitalized me right away, well that and more alcohol. We shouted the controversial “Puto" cheer. Sorry not sorry, ‘cause that felt good! What a way to finish my visit to Mexico City.