Mexico City – Day 3 – Pozole, Anthropology, and Lucha Libre
We knew that New Years Eve would be a late night, and it was. Even though the bars were closed, we went back to the apartment and drank and talked until the early morning. When we finally woke up and started out for the day, we decided we would hit Mercado Roma for breakfast. A modern food court like LA’s Grand Central Market, Mercado Roma is filled with individual food stalls each with its own specialties.
Sounds pretty good right? A large market with many food vendors and lots of choices? Maybe it is, but what we learned today is how loose times are here in Mexico City. The market was supposed to open at 9am. We arrived around 11:30. In the entire market, one food stall was open and 2 others were setting up. With the whole place empty, we decided to try someplace else. For the past two days we’ve been talking about pozole, so we headed to one of our recommendations after calling to confirm they were open.
We over ordered, but all of the food was excellent. Or we were just starving after Mercado Roma didn’t work out. Either way, we left La Casa de Toño very full and happy.
After lunch we called an Uber and headed to the Museo Nacional de Antropología.
This fountain was awesome.
The first room was all about the history of man, including skulls showing the various stages of evolution.
But the rest of the museum was almost entirely about Mexican history, including Oaxacan, Mayan, Aztec, and Teotihuacan civilizations. Here is a recreation of the Temple of the Feathered Serpent.
They even had artifacts throughout the outdoor gardens.
Mictlāntēcutli – The Aztec God of Death
We knew that we wouldn’t have time for a real meal, and considering how much we ate at Casa del Tono none of us were in for much more than a snack. So we explored some of the street food options near the museum.
This was a blue corn tostada with cactus. It’s a traditional Oaxacan dish called tlayuda.
They nailed it with the elote! We opted for a cup.
But it was also available on the cob.
After an intellectually stimulating afternoon at the museum, why not take it down a notch and enjoy some pure silliness…
We had to. When in Mexico, you must visit Arena México for Lucha Libre!!! I wasn’t that excited about this, but I have to say it ended up being really fun. I asked for the best tickets, and they were kind of behind the ring in a corner. The view was good, but I think the Preferente Central tickets you see above on the poster were probably the best tickets in the house.
Cat knew before we went that she wanted a Lucha Mask. I think it looks pretty good on her.
Inside of the arena are these ridiculous murals covering the walls.
The acrobatics are impressive.
To end the night we stopped in for drinks and snacks at Cantina La Mascota. It’s an Anthony Bourdain recommendation. As long as you’re drinking, they’ll bring out food. So we each had 3 drinks and a late dinner.
The food wasn’t great, but the place was fun. Music was blaring from the jukebox as patrons stood up to dance. The tables were filled with locals young and old. And the drinks were huge. When I ordered a Zacapa 23 neat they nearly filled a cognac snifter. Tired and run down from a full day, we will sleep well tonight.