Footprint Mexico 2009: Itinerary
Friday 3rd October 2008
A change in plan means much of the ground I was intending to cover has been passed to Geoff Groesbeck – a cultural tourism consultant based in Zacatecas, Central Mexico. I am confident he will be a great asset to the project.
I will still be basing myself in Mexico City and striking out to a handful of central locations, as well as Veracruz, parts of the north and Baja California. My flights are booked and I will be departing for the New World on Monday 13th October 2008. I return on 22nd December 2008 – just in time for Christmas and New Year, all things being equal.
Weeks 1-3: Mexico City and Around
Cities are notoriously complex animals and few are as big and scary as Mexico’s capital. It will be a real challenge getting to grips with it – and its wealth of surrounding attractions. I have my eye on an apartment close to the Revolution monument where I hope to base myself. Gym, sauna and WIFI included in the rent. One highlight of my stay will be the Day of the Dead celebrations.
Weeks 4-5: Veracruz
Mexico’s Gulf coast is a steamy lesser visited territory, partly contained by the jungle-swathed state of Veracruz. This is the site of the oldest port in the Americas, where Cortez first set foot in Mexico all those centuries ago. I am particularly looking forward to checking out the town of Catemaco, a place renowned for its sorcerers as much as its mystical posturers.
Weeks 5-6: Guerrero and Michoacán
These two states couldn’t be more different, but I’ve lumped them together on the same leg because they’re adjacent. Guerrero is famous for its state capital, Acapulco, long-time Pacific coast playground of the rich and famous. Michoacán is much more interesting, nestled in the western highlands with the splendid colonial city of Morelia. Nearby, intriguing indigenous Purepecha villages surround Lake Patzcuaro.
Week 7: Durango and Chihuahua
From Morelia, I’ll be hauling way up north to the desert highlands of Durango and Chihuahua. I love the dry, mountainous landscapes here, where many notable westerns have been shot. The colonial city of Durango has a very friendly population, whilst Chihuahua state conceals several interesting ruins belonging to northwest adobe cultures, including Paquimé. Then there’s the border town of Ciudad Juárez, interesting in a rather seamy, dreadful way.
Week 8: The Copper Canyon
The beauty and grandeur of this setting never fails to impress or inspire. I’m taking an entire week to explore it. Hopefully I’ll get to do some good hiking and really breath in the wilderness. At the end, I’ll take the famous train through the mountains all the way to the Pacific coast.
Weeks 9-10: Baja California
From Los Mochis on the Pacific Coast I’ll be take a ferry across the sea of Cortez to the slender finger of land that is Baja California. This is my first time to this part of Mexico and I’m quite intrigued to see what it’s like. Beaches, wildlife and gringo communities comprise this well visited strip, often described as having a close-knit island vibe. I’ll be travelling north as far as the notorious border town of Tijuana. From there, I’ll cross to San Diego and make my exit.
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