Where we'll be staying

As always, with his characteristic due diligence, Marc has found some lovely little places for us to stay in Mexico.

For our first three nights, we'll stay in Cuernavaca at a place with the marvelous name Orchidelirium. It's a small place with only five suites, and it's in the heart of an ancient prehispanic and colonial neighborhood. As you'd expect, the garden holds a collection of orchids, and I expect to feel delirious.

Orchidelirium in Cuernavaca

From there we'll drive to Tepoztlan, where we'll spend two nights, including my 60th birthday on November 6. It's another very small hotel, 8 rooms, and they are surrounded by mountains. Tepoztlan is known as the reputed birthplace of Quetzalcoatl, the Aztec feathered serpent god, and for its weekly craft market, and for the exotic ice cream flavors prepared by the people in the town. A steep trail leads to the Aztec Tepozteco pyramid, on a clifftop above the town.

Mocca Hotel in Tepoztlan

We want to see Teotihuacan, but (a) we've seen pyramid sites throughout Mexico and Peru, including Chichen Itza in the Yucatan, and (b) we're speedy "seeing things" people, so we don't need to linger for long but we want to arrive when the site opens, so we'll spend the night nearby, in San Martin des Piramides, and then see Teotihuacan early on Wednesday, Nov 7 - the first day of my 61st year - and drive back to Mexico City. Our hotel will do just fine, which is all it needs to do.

Hotel Fer

Our last three nights will be in Mexico City -- hardly enough time, I have no doubt. Like New York City, Mexico City is a city of neighborhoods, distinctly unique areas of a vast and sprawling place. Our small hotel is two blocks away from Paseo de la Reforma, in the Zona Rosa, which is part of the larger Colonia Juarez, and was originally a residential area for wealthy families. This is the center of Mexico City's gay community (although the whole city is generally gay-friendly), and the area has a vibrant nightlife. We aren't nightlife people, but we look forward to being in such a great neighborhood, and to using it as a base to find as many markets and taquerias and bakeries and street food options as possible. I expect to feel very sorry to leave.

Casa Gonzalez