Mexico City

The university semester in Mexico lasted for some 16 weeks, a full four weeks longer than the semesters that we endure here in Australia, but such a long semester gave the opportunity to all of the international students to travel over the weekends to nearby cities and states and to do their very best to explore and experience some of Mexico’s cultural and geographical diversity. You could take a Monday off here and a Friday off there in order to create a long weekend and give yourself an extra day or two travelling around with friends or by yourself depending on how compatible your timetables were. I did this as much as I could throughout the semester, exploring nearby cities, beaches and pueblos, but it was Mexico City that stood out to me as one of the most impressive and remarkable places that I visited during my time away.

Towards the end of semester I set off for Mexico City, or D.F as it is known by all Mexicans, for just under a week. I took the overnight bus from the Guadalajara central bus station at around midnight and settled in with my iPod for the next eight or so hours of driving as we made our way south-east to the capital. The bus systems in Mexico were a pleasant surprise, inexpensive, punctual and easy to use there are a number of different companies that operate throughout the country and drive in and out of a central station in every town that they pass through making connections effortless. It is hardly surprising then the number of hours that I would have spent making my way across the Mexican countryside, half asleep on a commercial bus.

Although by this stage of my trip I had spent some three or so months already travelling around Mexico and had well and truly become accustomed to navigating my way around, it was nevertheless somewhat confronting to arrive in D.F, a city of some 20 million residents when you include all of the outer suburbs. Instead of one central bus station there were three to accommodate the immense number of people coming and going from the city each day from all over Mexico. Even after arriving at the bus station bleary eyed and sleep-deprived, I still had to find my way into the heart of the city to find my hostel. Fortunately for me Mexico City has one of the most impressive public transport systems in the world, the equivalent of around 20 Australian cents will get you anywhere in the city on the subway that has a number of lines that branch out to all corners, there are an infinite number of busses and electric powered busses that run the main roads as well.

It wasn’t long before I had dropped my bags at the hostel, with the entire day left free to wander and explore some of the sights near the very heart of the city. Although I was to be in and around the city for nearly a week I had carefully planned out every day to make sure I could cover as much ground as possible, as one can imagine in a city of nearly 20 million there is much to see and do. The first stop was Zócalo, at the heart of the city a giant square surrounded by the Metropolitan Cathedral, the National Palace and Government House. Each building an impressive piece of colonial architecture that helps to create an overwhelming atmosphere of historical importance and significance as you enter. The square is symbolically enclosed by the fundamental pillars of modern Mexican society, the imposing and impressive cathedral tempered by the remarkable government house, the obvious colonial influence overshadowed at times by the giant Mexican flag that stands tall as the centerpiece of the square. It is here where groups will traditionally come to protest against the government, marching through the nearby streets chanting their messages and finally arriving at the square where rallies will be held, leaders will speak and followers will listen intently and cheer loudly. Tents may be erected and protesters may stay for days and weeks, this has become the norm in many respects for groups who wish to peacefully protest. In light of Mexico’s violent history and political struggles, the right to protest and others like it are freedoms that are deeply valued by Mexican citizens, exercised proudly and passionately in acknowledgment of the struggles that took place in order to realize them.

After learning about the history of Mexico in class I had a solid understanding of the chronology of major events, the who, where, when and what. But it was only after visiting some of the key landmarks where significant events took place that I was able to resolve the abstract knowledge of that which took place and on what dates and who was involved with the real experience of standing in the same room where that speech was given, being at the place where protesters marched and so on. It is only in this way that one can fully develop an understanding and appreciate the psyche of the modern Mexican citizen and their impression of their history. It is especially hard to relate to and develop an understanding when you from a country such as Australia where our history and growth has been largely linear in nature, there has been no significant conflict with Britain and our head of state, political involvement and an immense number of freedoms and rights have been evident for many years, except in the case of native aborigines.

All in all, my trip to D.F allowed me to draw a meaningful connection between that which I had learned and that which I had experienced. It is one thing to admire and enjoy the beauty of a city such as Mexico City, but it is another thing completely to see and understand the history, the struggle for it to become what it is today and what most want it to become in the future. Language was the final key in opening the cultural door into another society and with the ability to communicate freely with those who are living the incredible story of this country, you are able to take another step beyond what you hear and see to include the experiences of those that really matter.