When In Mexico : Typical school days routine

[Nov 2019, Polanco]

My typical morning routine consist of waking up for my morning prayer, heating the kettle and preparing lunchboxes for my kids. Although the kindergarten provides food for my kid, she did not fancy Mexican food and too shy to try new things.. so while preparing for her older sister, I prepared hers too. Usually a lunch box consist of fruits, biscuits/small choc bar and main dish - either pasta, rice or nasi himpit. Then the older kid is ready, and I escorted her downstairs to the lobby so the school transport will send her to school. Well, since the winter is coming, chill breeze greets us when we get outside so best to get ready with that jumper or sweater.

Then I wake the smaller kids, gently cause the last thing you want in a busy school day routine is a kid's tantrum! Many times especially when daddy is not around, I need to prepare the breakfast with a small toddler hugging my knee..or some days I laid her blanket on the kitchen floor so she can just watch me preparing the food.It is so cold outside, around 12 deg C hence the kids usually did not have a morning bath.. just a brief wash of the face and body and brushing the teeth.. that's it. The kindergarten usual uniform is the school shirt and pants, but my kid always hate them.. she usually looked forward for Friday, which is a non uniform day so she can wear her favorite princess dress. Then, only I get dressed to send them off to school.

In front of our house foyer 

Previously I took the Spanish class which was held 3 times per week, I was on my third semester already (Basico Tres).. when it was the Spanish class day, I would walk for 20 minutes from the kindergarten at Calle Julio Verne 18 to the language center. I went to the CEPE (Center of Foreign Students) which is a part of a renowned university of Mexico, the UNAM. It is actually a small center on Calle Hipolito Taine where the foreigners enrolled for variety of Spanish classes including the general ones, spoken Spanish classes, and even cooking classes in Spanish. Usually per semester we will have about 15 classmates from all over countries, mostly ladies who followed their husbands to Mexico for work. The language center is also near a shopping mall, Liverpool hence it is a plus point for me, yeay! Each class usually took about 2.5 hours, then I will rush home for a quick lunch and prayer before I fetch the kids from school at 3pm.

Jacarandas during spring on the park

During the days when I do not have any classes, I will go back home with the school transport or walk back when I feel like I need a break and enjoy the fresh morning air. It was a lovely walk through the Lincoln Park, then the lines of cafes, fancily called Polanquito (small Polanco) before I reach the Avenida Masaryk. Sometimes I got my coffee fix from one of the cafes- usually Joselo or Starbucks or NY Coffee (my, their cappuccino is the bomb!)..and someeetimes a sweet treat from a small artisan panaderia, Da Silva and walk through the parks, row of expensive houses or the tiny shops until we reach home. Once or twice a week I would stop by at Soriana Supermarket to get my grocery needs. I really love the supermarket as it is very near to my house and it opens 24 hours daily
! Also most of supermarkets here has their own in house bakery hence I'd like to get the freshest bread or doughnuts in the morning for my quick breakfast...but if I have free time I would search for the best panaderia (bakery) for the best breads or croissant in town!

Antara shopping mall always have pretty decorations

The kids come home from school at around 3pm, usually I finished all the house chores and food preparation before that. After the kids come home, it is either free play, visit to the playground or the tiny park downstairs or swimming class, or piano class for them. There are many teachers that offer classes at the comfort of our own home hence it is perfect for a family with small kids like ours. We were lucky to have an English speaking piano teacher, Hector who is great at teaching beginners and small kids, and we also adore Julio, the swimming teacher that does not speak English but we do communicate well with my broken Spanish haha.

My kid and her piano teacher

Then the kids washed, had dinner while waiting for daddy to come home from work and share their daily activities. Every Friday night, we go to the Malaysian Embassy for religious classes and Malaysian class.. this is actually a weekly activity for Malaysians to meet ups with scrumptious Malaysian themed potluck! My mouth watered already by thinking of the heavenly food cooked by the embassy ladies...

Going places : Quick tour of central Ciudad de Mexico (CDMX)

 Ciudad de Mexico (CDMX) means capital of Mexico.. a very colorful city which always being misunderstood by outsiders. Thanks to its high altitude, the weather is always cool and chilly all year long. You may notice the changes of four seasons but never too extremely hot or cold.. it is just nice and perfect for a daily stroll or bicycle ride. If you are a first timer, this is a list of must go places in central CDMX:

                                                    Aquario Inbursa - similar to Aquaria 

1) Polanco : Avenida Masaryk, Lincoln Park, Museo Sumayya, Aquario Bursa

Stroll around the posh Avenida Masaryk street lined with designer boutiques and artesanal stuff. Have a coffee or visit the morning market (every Saturdays) at Lincoln park. Walk a bit to check out the Antara shopping mall (it has a public play ground infront of Hamleys), Museo Sumayya and Museo Jumex. Bring your kids to enjoy the fish at Aquario Bursa.

2) Chapultepec : Park, Zoologico, Chapultepec Castle

Check out the huge Chapultepec Park for a picnic, a jog or even a boat ride. There is a train inside the park for you to enjoy the scenery and a merry go round to entertain the kids. A lot of local merchandise and food are sold here. Don't forget to visit the free public zoo.Also visit the Chapultepec Castle up on the hill to learn about Mexico history and enjoy the view.

Outside Palais de Bella Artes

Inside!

Pretty wall at Calle de Condesa (near Calle de Madero)

Calle de Madero is always alive !

3) Centro historico: Zocalo, Palais de Bella Artes, Calle de Madero, Avenida Reforma, Ciudadela

Get on the Avenida Reforma towards Zocalo by car or the various tourist buses to enjoy the historic and modern buildings assimilate together. Stop near Palais de Bella Artes (Palace of Beautiful Arts) and enjoy the many historic buildings around it. Walk through Calle de Madero (Wood Road?) to find small shops selling beautiful handcrafts and rows of coffee shops... at the end of this road you will find the famous Zocalo - a place where they declare independence and a center of various celebration. This place resembles Dataran Merdeka and its colorful, historic buildings around it. A MUST SEE. And its free! If you're looking to buy souvenirs, go to none other than Ciudadela, you can find all sorts of souvenirs here.

4) Condesa & Roma Norte

These two are photo worthy places which are lines with lots of hipster coffee shops and bars.

Some traveling tips :

1)Best public transport to stroll the cities will be the hop on hop off buses and metro line buses. 

2)Rent the public bicycles to enjoy the historical buildings and amazing views. 

3)The metro subway train connects most important places in the city but beware of pick pockets.

4)Wear your most comfortable shoes and clothes - usually shirts, jackets, jeans and sneakers are sufficient

5)Always check the weather forecast! The weather changes are sometimes quite extreme in CDMX.

6)Always alert with your surroundings - either from unwanted bad attention (thief, pickpocket) or the earthquake alert (sismo). Be in a green zone (safe zone) when you stroll around this humongous city. Best to keep yourself at the touristy places and avoid the shabby and small alleys

7) Learn few basic Spanish language ;) it may be extremely beneficial for you.