Job Discussion Forums

[dixie]

[J Sevigny]

I have to agree with the poster who said skip UNAM. It's a little out of the way, and interesting architecture or not, in the end it's a freaking university. Spending four hours walking around the Zocalo, Bellas Artes and the downtown area beats the hell out of the large amounts of walking you'll have to do at UNAM, which in the end, isn't that impressive.

I'd go the tour bus route. You won't have to think so much about transportation, it's safe, and it will stop at more than enough places to fill up a two-day visit.

[Prof.Gringo]

[MO39]

[Phil_K]

I've never done the tour of the UNAM, expect for visiting the Universum (which was disappointing), but what I would say is that the CU, a bunch of 50's (or thereabouts) buildings could never compare with the centuries-old architectural treasures of Oxford and Cambridge.

[deeb]

What an interesting discussion!

I have to say I'm still leaning in favor of taking the kids to UNAM. For several reasons:

As was mentioned, they are university students and I think it would be good for them to see a bit of the campus as a comparison to what they are experiencing in Guadalajara. The fact that they might see some pro-Fidel, AMLO, Chavez, Che sentiment would be an interesting juxtaposition to what they see in Guadalajara - i.e. none of that.

In addition, the fact that several of them are taking history and or sociology classes has me thinking that there are historically relevant places to see on or near campus, including the Estadio Ol�mpico. As you probably know, in the states, our most famous image of Mexico 1968 was the Black Power photo taken in the Estadio Ol�mpico.

The campus has some very interesting architecture and the fact that the Central Library building is one of the most recognized buildings in the country, makes me want to show it to the students.

I understand PhilK�s bristling at the Oxbridge tourism compared to the UNAM tourism, however, having toured the campuses of Cambridge, Harvard, Berkeley, UNAM, among others, I can appreciate the different historical contexts from which these universities make their names. Also, students will have distinct reactions to the experience. I recall a student telling me that the first time they set foot on the UC-Berkeley campus they were awed that they were in the same place where the periodic table of elements was put in order. I, on the other hand, did not have that reaction at all! I am hoping to inspire my students a little and broaden their horizons. I think that taking them to the CU might help do that.

Also, we don�t have to see the whole dang thing. I would like it to be part of a day where we also visit Coyoac�n and San �ngel. It is not an either/or agenda item with the Centro Historico. The Centro is absolutely on the list and we will be seeing the Zocolo and all that other stuff (je, je) during one of our 2.5 days.

Am I crazy to think that we could pop in, see the facades of the Rectory and Library, walk over to the Estadio and move on to other sites in an hour or two?

[Milenka]

[notamiss]

[deeb]

Thanks notamiss and Milenka! (I have taken ciencias and the Siquieros murals into account as options.)

The students are studying mainly Social Sciences and Literature, with a little Economics/Natural Resources/Portugues on the side. The history and sociology courses are mainly of the 20th century variety, along with a few History of the Mexican Revolution classes.

[J Sevigny]

Not to be disrespectful, but I think universities are tourist attractions primarily for academic types. I know that when I travel to New York, Oaxaca, Los Angeles or Massachussetts, the LAST thing I think about is planning a trip to a university. I don't necessarily see university students taking an interest in what other universities look like, either. Heck, half the Tec de Monterrey students have never seen the Autonoma de Nuevo Leon and vice versa. I really don't think they care, though there are probably a few exceptions. My point was that if you're talking about seeing the Zocalo, Bellas Artes and even Chapultapec, vs, UNAM, I think the decision is obvious.

[M@tt]

most of the suggestions people have given are of the most touristy spots, which is fine but not what the OP asked for. you want to see things that are a slice of mexico, and not in the guidebook. that can be achieved by riding the metro just about anywhere and then wandering the streets. walk and walk and walk. eat comida corrida. sit in the alameda and watch military guys wh0re themselves to old men. go to a tianguis, those are really typical. maybe a market, like la merced, where people sell strange items. even UNAM might be a good idea if you're not hell-bent on seeing touristy things (the only famous building is the library). but there are plenty of experiences that might contribute to understanding mexican life. get guy to take you to a lucha libre fight. ride the combis. coyoacan and chapultepec also seem like good ideas. definitely garibaldi at night, when mexican families go there. use the bathroom at sanborns. eat out in la condesa. go to a club in zona rosa, or try to get into a cantina without drawing too much attention. if that's intimidating just go to salon corona in the centro.

those are things related to real life. the tourist spots are historic but they have little to nothing to do with mexican culture nowadays. of course they are impressive in their own right.

[Guy Courchesne]

A rare occurrence, but I absolutely agree with Matt on this. His advice is what I experience on a daily basis, and enjoy.

I do think that Matt is forgetting that Mexicans themselves are enthralled by and are interested in their own culture - just as Americans flock to sites like the Lincoln Memorial and the Grand Canyon.

Lots to do here...in fact, too much to describe....

[M@tt]

[deeb]

Actually, what M@tt says is true. I am looking for a little insight into the not so touristy things. I think I have a good idea about the big ticket items (Bellas Artes, Templo Mayor, Casa Azul) but I would still like some feedback about the little hidden gems - where can we find some really good comida corrida, or tortas (since our tortas (ahogadas) are very different from yours), a nifty mercado, or random favorite people watching/place to chill.

Given our limited time, we'll be focusing on the Centro, San Angel/CU/Coyoacan, and Condesa/Roma.

(I've already made note of the mercado en San Angel - Thanks!)

[notamiss]

As for hidden gems�foodwise, I recently discovered this: http://www.mexicocityfood.net/newrestreviews.html. This is a Mexico City writer and food reviewer who delights in discovering the modest gems as well as fine dining among restaurants and food stands.