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Wednesday, 4th November, touchdown at 17.40h local time at Mexico City's Benito Juarez Airport after an uneventful but long flight from Madrid to Mexico City. Uneventful because unlike Virgin Atlantic, Continental and other flagships of the industry, Iberia hasn't yet installed video screens in their seats- at least not in coach class. Movies were offered - 3 altogether for a 12 hour flight - I got the distinct impression that sleep was encouraged after meal service. I settled for my new book instead and listened to my Italian seat neighbour's debate on when the next meal will be served.

Immigration was very quickly done. As the Mexicans are very swine flu conscious for obvious reasons, every person now receives a health leaflet at immigration and is asked to state and sign whether or not they have had a list of symptoms recently including headache, sore throat, fever etc. Ignoring my sore throat and the oncoming cold that has been bothering me for a couple of days now and sucking away on yet another lozenge, I happily ticked "no" to every symptom there was. I made a beeline to the taxi stand bought a ticket and made my way to the Hostal Moneda where I had a bed booked for the next three nights - backpacker style.

Even as a solo traveller you are never really on your own and a hostel is always a great place to meet fellow travellers. So on Thursday, 5th November, I had already met two fellow traveller ladies from Australia and Holland. The three of us went together to the beautiful neighbourhood of Coyoacán where we visited La Casa Azul, the house in which Mexican artist Frida Kahlo used to live. After visiting the church San Juan Bautista in the main square (Zocalo) we continued walking around the cobblestone streets lined with stately mansions and entered a world of beautiful plazas, restaurants, bookstores and picturesque hustle and bustle. You really wouldn't think you were in Mexico City.

Two metro stops further down we got off in San Ángel to visit the house where Diego Rivera and Frida Kahlo used to live and work each in their separate house that are connecting through a bridge link.

On Friday night we were surprised by an absolute stunning light and projection show in Mexico City's main sqare the Zocalo. This is to mark next year's Bicentennial celebration and was done by projecting light and 3D animation on to the facade of the Palacio Nacional. I have never seen anything like that and was mesmerized by it. Absolutely beautiful!

On Saturday I woke up early-ish after a night of partying and salsaing on the roof top terrace of our hostel and waved my good byes to my roommate as I made my way to the airport once again. I was finally off to Playa del Carmen for some much needed relaxation and beach time and of course I was very much looking forward to catching up with old friends.

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