| Mexico City abounds with plazas, food markets, | | | | Mexico. It has a vibrant atmosphere where people |
| and public squares where all manner of handicrafts | | | | from all walks of life commune to shop for |
| and other items are on display for sale. The | | | | clothes and jewelry; dance in the streets; watch |
| Mercado de los Sabados en San Angel-a Saturday | | | | the mimes; eat at the local food stalls; buy |
| market-features a wide range of clothes, | | | | flowers or balloons; or watch artists at work on |
| jorongos (a traditional coat), jewelry, handcrafted | | | | portraits, cartoons, and street scenes. |
| paper, textiles, and traditional sweets. All of these | | | | As a Catholic country, Mexico celebrates Catholic |
| come from various parts of Mexico, giving you a | | | | feasts with great gusto. At the Basilica de Santa |
| glimpse of the cultures of the other cities from a | | | | Maria de Guadalupe, where the Virgin of |
| single location. | | | | Guadalupe was reportedly sighted in 1531, you'll |
| As most people find, the prices of most items | | | | find Nativity sets in every size and color on sale |
| are quite low compared to the U.S. or Europe. | | | | at the local religious souvenir shop. |
| Clothes, for instance, can be found of a very high | | | | As one of the more upscale neighborhoods, |
| quality and yet be priced as low as $15. | | | | Polanco is a trip into modern Mexico, complete |
| One of the plazas that must be seen by shopping | | | | with department stores, boutiques, malls, hotels, |
| enthusiasts is the Plaza de La Ciudadela. The small | | | | and fancy restaurants. You're not likely to get the |
| stands in this rather large marketplace are | | | | same low prices here that you'll come to expect |
| overflowing with trinkets and local handicrafts. | | | | at the bazaars and markets. On the contrary, |
| Everything from jewelry to pottery and large | | | | Polanco is said to be rather expensive. |
| Mexican sombreros are available for extremely | | | | Two of the most popular malls would be Santa |
| low prices, many of which are still negotiable, | | | | Fe and Perisur. Santa Fe is said to be the largest |
| particularly if you buy more than a single item. La | | | | in Latin America. Everything from designer and |
| Ciudadela is a similar area offering cheap | | | | luxury items to classy restaurants can be found |
| souvenirs, traditional handicrafts, and various flea | | | | here. |
| market items. Even traditional toys are available | | | | Depending on your interests and the pace of your |
| here. Prices can go as low as a couple of dollars, | | | | trip, Mexico City has much to offer the intrepid |
| depending on what you buy. | | | | shopper in search of a bargain or a glimpse of |
| Cayoacan is the place to be on the weekends in | | | | haute couture in Mexico. |