I wish I could say that we returned to Coyoacan for a cultural visit. I wish I could say that we are here for the amazing museums. I really want to admit that I have a better reason to visit Coyoacan than my overwhelming desire to have some awesome tostadas. But just look at these tostadas from the Mercado!
Worth the trip!
But heck, while we are here, lets do a bit more exploring.
A short walk from the Mercado are two adjacent parks: Plaza Jardin Hidalgo and Parque Centenario. These parks are bustling with activity, with tourists and locals alike enjoying a nice warm day.
Adjacent to the park is the beautiful Parroquia San Juan Bautista. The church is very pretty, and the adjacent courtyard is fantastic. It is famous for having a richly decorated ceiling in the cloister, with gold-embossed Baroque style.
The adjacent park has a famous fountain for which the area is named: Fuentes de los Coyotes.
Through the arched entryway to the park, we crossed the street to find an ice cream shop. Their ice cream is different, as it has bits of ice in it, giving it a unique texture.
Now, it was time for a bit of a history lesson. We read that Leon Trotsky escaped to Mexico City when he was banished from the Soviet Union by Stalin. He settled in a highly protected, yet very simple home in the Coyoacan neighborhood. He was friends with the literati in Mexico City, and spent a lot of time with artists and writers, including Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera. Unfortunately, his home was not quite protected enough, as he was assassinated by an agent sent from the Soviet Union. His home is now a museum as well as his final resting place. It is very interesting to see how simple a life he enjoyed in Mexico City, and to learn about the everyday dangers he faced. Lead doors replaced his bedroom doors, and there are still bullet holes in the wall of his bedroom from a previous failed attempt on his life.
We continued to explore the Coyoacan neighborhood, coming across some very cool spots. I love their street signs, complete with a sitting coyote. The Parque Frida Kahlo has a stunning fountain and some cool statues and murals.
Across the street, there is the Plaza de la Conchita, with a very cool statue and a seemingly deserted church.
We continued to roam the streets, in search of new sites. Along a very hidden and narrow alley on Aquacate, there is a section with cool murals and offerings, which is said to be haunted.
We also walked by some beautiful building with cool architectural features, as well as a museum with an amazing courtyard (complete with cats!).
There is simply no question that Coyoacan has become one of our favorite neighborhoods of Mexico City. It is very nice without being pretentious. You can get off the beaten path and explore, while feeling safe at all times. Sure, it is popular with tourists, but there is a reason for this - it is a great place!
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