Flying out of Tijuana on Aeromexico.
Last Tuesday Thom and I arrived at the Tijuana Airport for our flight to Mexico City. We’ve never flown out of Tijuana before but had several friends who encouraged our decision to give it a try. Even though we had checked in online and had boarding passes, we arrived at the airport with plenty of time to spare. After all, nothing can ruin a vacation like missing your flight. Thankfully, the entire experience went smoothly and easily starting our vacation in the right way.
The Tijuana Airport is as modern, clean and efficient as any we have experienced around the world. Our trip was considered a “domestic flight” because it originated in Mexico, so it was suggested we arrive only 90 minutes before our flight. Because we were early it was easy to obtain our tourist visas and fill out that necessary paperwork. Security was a breeze with only one or two people in front of us and although we did have to put the laptop and our carry-ons though the scanners, we didn’t have to remove our shoes. Once inside we easily found both our gate and a Starbucks.
Our Aeromexico flight was boarded right on time and the three and a half hour flight was as scheduled. Once we arrived in Mexico City, our luggage was unloaded in record time. A taxi to our Bed & Breakfast was a race through the crowded and busy streets of Mexico City.
Mexico City is a big city and it does take while to get your bearings but our Bed & Breakfast, The Red Tree House made that easy. Like a tranquil island oasis, we settled into our room and were invited to join the nightly happy hour where we were able to relax with a glass of wine and meet other guests. That practice is offered every night and is an awesome way to get to know other guests.
As promised in my previous post, here are this week’s SMART Travel Tips for anyone traveling anywhere in the near future along with some background on our particular trip.
1) Always expect the best but flow with what’s happening. Something
The Zocolo Square in preparation for the upcoming national holiday on September 15th– El Grito.
that has served Thom and I very well with all our travels is to expect the very best. Of course this is something I write about all the time. Much of what we expect out of life becomes our experience. And even when it doesn’t turn out quite what we expect, at least we aren’t fretting or worrying about things we can’t change even if we want.
Our experience with the Tijuana Airport certainly confirmed this. We went expecting a very smooth and effortless time of it and that’s what we got. Compared to flying out of a major city airport like LAX, the security and lack of crowds made it relaxing and enjoyable.
The Coyoacan area of Mexico City…Coyoacan means coyotes.
2) Pick your place to stay (hotel) very carefully. As I mentioned last week I am big into checking into reviews before making any reservation. Frequently,
The courtyard at The Red Tree House B & B
our favorites places to stay are Bed & Breakfasts or small Inns. By researching great reviews and choosing a location that is central to the heart of the town or city where we are staying, we’ve always been richly rewarded. This time was no exception. The Red Tree House B & B here in Mexico City is awesome. The entire property is immaculately maintained and our room comfortable, clean and lovely. One of the best features is the amazing full breakfast in the morning and the complementary happy hour in the evening. We have met some of the most interesting and fun people possible because both breakfast and happy hour brings us together to get to know one another. By carefully picking our location our trip to Mexico City has been a tremendous success.
The Oaxaca Suite at The Red Tree House.
3) Use tour guides when possible. Because I am such a great researcher it is
Our guide for Teotihucan. The pyramid of the sun is behind us.
tempting to want to save money when touring sites by doing it on our own. But what we have discovered is that if you are busy trying to remember a few of the details of a place, or read about the background, it is very challenging to immerse yourself in the experience. By hiring a guide you not only can focus on the activity, but a good guide can offer stories and background you didn’t even know you would like to know. Our experience proves to us over and over that a good guide is more than worth the cost.
Our Coyoacan Bicycle Tour with Diego
4) Try things out of the ordinary—you will likely be pleasantly
Kathy & Thom at Casa Azul–Frida Kahlo’s home in Coyoacan.
surprised. Yesterday I tried a mescal martini for the first time—and yes it was great! For lunch we ate at the Coyoacan market and had a mole tostada. Last night we wandered in to a little local restaurant because we were hungry and asked the waitress what was good. Today we went on a bicycle tour of a neighborhood. The best thing about vacation is that it takes us out of our normal routines and making everything we experience new and fresh. Never be afraid to try something new and unexpected.
Pyramid Of the Sun at Teotihuacan.
The steep climb of the Pyramid of the Sun.
Success! From the top of the Pyramid of the Sun looking back on the Pyramid of the Moon.
5) Take the time to meet and connect with others. I love seeing WOW sites
New friends from The Red Tree House B & B
whenever we travel but I’ve learned that what I most remember from any trip is the people we meet and spend time getting to know. Not only did we meet some wonderful people here at The Red Tree House, we also spent the day with a couple of interesting guides who told us what it was like to live in this city. I don’t doubt for a second that we have made new friends.
One of Diego Rivera’s many murals in the National Palace.
Mexico City is a huge, interesting and fascinating city. Everywhere we turn there are people, cars, different sights, smells and things to observe. So much is unfamiliar and that is part of the charm. But isn’t that why most of us travel? Travel shakes up routines and asks us to observe the world from new perspectives. It introduces us to new people, places and hopefully new ideas. Ultimately travel can be SMART as long as we are willing to keep an open mind, learn as we go, expecting the best no matter what.
Thank you for this article. After I read part I, I thought that was amazing, but with the second part.. this article is complete. A very good article.
Hi Jess & Brandon! Glad you liked my approach to my travel writing. I love to travel but found that when writing about it I couldn’t help but throw in some SMART tips while at it! ~Kathy
Hi Mary! Thanks for stopping by SMART Living. Aren’t B & B’s fun? A good one can be an excellent way to travel. But like I suggest, it is always best to check reviews because just like with any hotel, there are good ones and less than great ones too. ~Kathy
Your trip sounds like a lot of fun, I love your tip to do the unexpected too. Great photos.
Thanks Bodynsoil! I’m glad you liked the photos. I’m working on a batch for the next post this weekend. Come back and let me know what you think. ~Kathy
Sounds like you are having a great trip! I’m so happy for you. Great tips!
Hi Rena! Glad you liked my tips. I know you too write about travel on one of your blogs so I’m just learning from people like you. Thanks for stopping by. ~Kathy
Oh Kathy, this looks like an outstanding adventure! I’ve always pictured Mexico City as huge, chaotic, unsafe. I’m so thrilled to read your reviews and recaps here as they’ve shed a whole new light on MC for me. A great reminder that we shouldn’t jump to conclusions!
Have a wonderful rest of your trip. Looking forward to reading more!
Hi Nancy! Yes I think that the media and public perception of Mexico is far from the truth. While Mexico City is HUGE we didn’t feel the least bit more cautious here than any big city we have traveled in–including LA or NY. I wanted to take the metro because I LOVE public transportation and heard it was as good as Paris or London but Thom is more of a taxi guy–so that’s what we did. And again, picking your location to stay makes a huge difference….everyone was so helpful and great at The Red Tree House. Stay tuned!!!
~Kathy
Did you see El Virgen de Guatelupe? I did when I was there and had an amazing experience! Glad someone is writing good stuff about Mexico. So many people are scared to go, but I love the country!
Hi Jodi! Yes we did get to see the shroud of the Virgin. The new shrine is very beautiful. They were having mass when we were there and were TONS of people but it was something I wanted to see for my self. I’m always interested in miracles.
And yes, I am happy to write about good and encouraging things about Mexico because it is such an culturally interesting and beautiful place to visit. The people are amazing, the food outstanding and there is so much to do and see. Plus our USD goes so much further here! ~Kathy
Hi Kathy,
Never been to Mexico but I can make out from your wonderful post that it’s surely a place worth visiting!
Loved the pictures you shared and one can make out that you are having a great time – wish you the best and have fun!
Thanks for sharing. Have a nice week ahead 🙂
Hi Harleena! Yes I think most people are enjoying the photos best of all. 🙂 Thanks for coming by and for your good wishes! ~Kathy
lovely pictures…quite informative and the fun and adventure is so obvious! Thanks for sharing…following you!
Hi Balroop! Yes I am having a great time. It is also fun trying to figure out what to share with you all. Thank you for following! ~Kathy
These adventures look amazing, Kathy! More pictures! I want to follow you on all your vacations …
Hey Sarah! Glad you liked my photos. We are taking tons of them and it was challenging trying to pick just a few that represented the trip. More to come for sure! ~Kathy
I do enjoy your comments, Kathy. I am in Paris right now and hired a private guide for yesterday to show us all things Design which is why we are here. It was \”expensive\” but gave us all we needed to carry on. He even got us tix for today at a very special exhibit at the Louvre by my fav designer, Dries Van Hoten. All on foot and back streets was what I was hoping for. The trip to Mexico City sounds awesome. Inspiring. Thanks for the rich text. Leslie
Hi Leslie! Bon Jour! We love Paris too and isn’t is made all the richer when you can take a guide who provides you with something special beyond what you can find in a guide book. It is definitely a balance between the price and the value for me. I’m usually pretty thrifty but somethings, like the right guide, make it worthwhile. Enjoy the rest of your trip and I’ll be sharing two more week’s worth in the coming days. ~Kathy
Great article Kathy! I’m going to go checkout The Red Tree House B & B online. I have never stayed at a bed and breakfast before, but now I just might!
Darlene Fadem
http://whosaprettygirl.com
Hi Darlene! Thank you for stopping by SMART Living. And yes, I highly recommend The Red Tree House here in Mexico City. I will be doing a thorough review on Trip Advisor. I think that is where I found them in the first place. And I highly recommend you stay at Bed & Breakfasts when you travel. They are so much more personal and friendly than a typical hotel. And although we also like to rent apartments, a bed and breakfast really puts you in touch with other nice travelers. Give it a try! ~Kathy
Awesome! So inspiring, and looks like you had a fantastic time. Thank you for your positive perspective! Very refreshing!
Hi Lori! Thank you for stopping by SMART Living! And yes, the adventure continues for two more weeks. ~Kathy