Traveling to Mexico City.
Aug 11, 2017 07:49:24 #
I have never been to Mexico. I am sure many of you have visited that country but my interest is Mexico City and surrounding towns. Places to visit with photographic opportunities?
Precautions to take and I would like to do some night photography if considered relatively safe.
I am visiting family I have not seen before and the lady of the house who owns a car will be my "guide."
Any help would be most appreciated.
Precautions to take and I would like to do some night photography if considered relatively safe.
I am visiting family I have not seen before and the lady of the house who owns a car will be my "guide."
Any help would be most appreciated.
Aug 11, 2017 08:04:40 #
Aug 11, 2017 08:12:01 #
camerapapi wrote:
I have never been to Mexico. I am sure many of you have visited that country but my interest is Mexico City and surrounding towns. Places to visit with photographic opportunities?
Precautions to take and I would like to do some night photography if considered relatively safe.
I am visiting family I have not seen before and the lady of the house who owns a car will be my "guide."
Any help would be most appreciated.
Precautions to take and I would like to do some night photography if considered relatively safe.
I am visiting family I have not seen before and the lady of the house who owns a car will be my "guide."
Any help would be most appreciated.
Most important, from personal experience, would be to be able to speak the language or have someone with you at all times who does.
Aug 11, 2017 08:13:33 #
Ask your host and your "guide" to show you what interests them. Locals know way more than tourists....
Aug 11, 2017 08:21:51 #
There are many great places to see and photograph. Near the Zocalo (town center) the Metropolitan Cathedral is a great night photography spot. Also near the Zocalo, there are many places where it is easy to see evidence that the city is "sinking" into the lake bed on which it was built. Odd shaped doors, windows, etc. Be sure to visit Teotihuacon, the Aztec pyramids. Take a wide angle lens-it is a huge place. Frida Kahlo's house and studio has many photogenic items and spots.
Our Lady of Guadalupe Basilica is very photogenic, but you are limited as to where you can photograph. The same is true of government buildings, airports etc.; the Mexican authorities frown on taking pictures of these.
We have been several times and never felt threatened. We use normal caution when out and about with camera gear.
Our Lady of Guadalupe Basilica is very photogenic, but you are limited as to where you can photograph. The same is true of government buildings, airports etc.; the Mexican authorities frown on taking pictures of these.
We have been several times and never felt threatened. We use normal caution when out and about with camera gear.
Aug 11, 2017 08:23:13 #
I have traveled to Mexico many times doing business and spending some time off; Mexico City is a large metropolis where you will find the same pleasures as well as the hazards of any major city here and abroad. Regarding precautions for night photography and other activities, just be comfortable and find a good guide. There are many places and neighborhoods in the U.S. where I rather not be caught walking and carrying expensive camera equipment, day or night. Unless you care for architectural and and other tourist centers, I found that most of the good photo ops where not necessarily in the city itself but rather in the surrounding areas and small towns. Have fun and enjoy the good food and their great beer.
Aug 11, 2017 08:27:10 #
truckster wrote:
Most important, from personal experience, would be to be able to speak the language or have someone with you at all times who does.
Lucky enough my primary language is Spanish. I left my country of origin (Cuba) when I was a young man over 53 years ago. The language will not be a problem.
Thank you for your comments.
Aug 11, 2017 08:27:30 #
When I went to Mexico City, about 15-20 years ago on company business, I had to go through some security awareness.
Bear in mind, I speak fluent Spanish and don't walk around looking like a tourist. With that being said, I saw car dealerships surrounded by high walls and topped with barbed wire. Plus, there was an armed guard with what looked like an MP-40 machine gun at the entrance.
Basically, I saw heavily armed police at movie theaters, and many other types of businesses.
I was instructed not to get a cab, and wait for someone from the company to come and drive me around!
Before you think I work for some huge conglomerate and a good kidnapping candidate, I work for a truck leasing company.
Mexico is a beautiful country with a rich historical culture, but it's riddled with crime and corruption. I'm sure your relatives will watch out for your safety, but just don't become complacent.
BTW, Don't drink the water!
Bear in mind, I speak fluent Spanish and don't walk around looking like a tourist. With that being said, I saw car dealerships surrounded by high walls and topped with barbed wire. Plus, there was an armed guard with what looked like an MP-40 machine gun at the entrance.
Basically, I saw heavily armed police at movie theaters, and many other types of businesses.
I was instructed not to get a cab, and wait for someone from the company to come and drive me around!
Before you think I work for some huge conglomerate and a good kidnapping candidate, I work for a truck leasing company.
Mexico is a beautiful country with a rich historical culture, but it's riddled with crime and corruption. I'm sure your relatives will watch out for your safety, but just don't become complacent.
BTW, Don't drink the water!
Aug 11, 2017 08:30:09 #
Thank you for the interesting comments. I agree, there are places in this country where I will not even venture during daytime to take pictures and that holds true in foreign countries as well.
Aug 11, 2017 08:35:17 #
Kmgw9v wrote:
Don't drink the water.
With this in mind ... don't order a drink with ice cubes. Same as water. (I know we all know ice cubes are frozen water) but we tend to forget that simple fact when in other countries.
Aug 11, 2017 09:08:12 #
Over 55 years of having lived in, traveled all over, had a business on the border, and worked and played in various places I have only once had trouble with food or water. Just stick to the better places where you see middle class people eating. I can't say that for US fast food places. Always be situation aware. Nuff said. You'll be safer the more rural the area. Hang tight to your camera equipment and don't wave it all over the place. I knew a geologist who was working around a small rural town and had to leave in a hurry for personal reasons. In the process he forgot his camera setting on an outcrop. He returned many years later and the first person he met was a small boy returning his camera in perfect shape.
Aug 11, 2017 09:21:20 #
camerapapi wrote:
I have never been to Mexico. I am sure many of you have visited that country but my interest is Mexico City and surrounding towns. Places to visit with photographic opportunities?
Precautions to take and I would like to do some night photography if considered relatively safe.
I am visiting family I have not seen before and the lady of the house who owns a car will be my "guide."
Any help would be most appreciated.
Precautions to take and I would like to do some night photography if considered relatively safe.
I am visiting family I have not seen before and the lady of the house who owns a car will be my "guide."
Any help would be most appreciated.
When traveling to Mexico one must always remember that theft in Mexico is not a crime, it's the national sport. I have been to Mexico City, many years ago, When it was a safe place, and never had a problem. But there are no circumstances under which I would return
Aug 12, 2017 05:42:52 #
Aug 12, 2017 06:24:35 #
billnikon
Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont
camerapapi wrote:
I have never been to Mexico. I am sure many of you have visited that country but my interest is Mexico City and surrounding towns. Places to visit with photographic opportunities?
Precautions to take and I would like to do some night photography if considered relatively safe.
I am visiting family I have not seen before and the lady of the house who owns a car will be my "guide."
Any help would be most appreciated.
Precautions to take and I would like to do some night photography if considered relatively safe.
I am visiting family I have not seen before and the lady of the house who owns a car will be my "guide."
Any help would be most appreciated.
tripadvisor.com
Aug 12, 2017 07:24:13 #
Have you seen the news lately about Mexico? There is no safe place in the country. Stay home!
If you want to reply, then register here. Registration is free and your account is created instantly, so you can post right away.