Evening star., 1952-08-05
Readers Clearing House
MEXICO CITY.
mrs. T. N. G.. Qaantico)

(MrS. I. ~. G.. QhGnticoJ
Mrs. R. A. K, Richmond: IN
answer to your questions regard
ing Mexico City and Acapulco,
first let me say, look forward to
one of the most pleasant vaca-
tions imaginable. The people
and the scenery are both, Won
derful.
The climate in Mexico varies
with the altitude SO that Mexico
City has an eternal spring
whereas Acapulco. being at sea
level, maintains constant sum-
mer. We were in Mexico City
during August and I found
spring suits and print silks with
light coats best for comfort.
During the hours around noon
you will probably want to re-
move your suit jacket or coat,
but will want them on both in
early hours, late afternoon and
also in, the evening. Few sum-
mer clothes are seen in Mexico
City and not many white shoes
except for few tourists. The
summer clothes and white shoes
should be saved for Acapulco.
which is more of the resort
town" type of city.
In regard to food, I've never
eaten so well so consistently.
My husband I shopped for res
taurantS in the same manner as
we have in New York, WASH
ington- Chicago and then
ate what We pleased except for
f1sh, which we were told by
Mexican friend was not trans
ported as quickly in Mexico as
in the United States. This did
not apply to shrimp, however,
only to actual fish, and, of
course. obviously it would not
apply in Acapulco. where you are
at the source. Also, let me say
that little of Mexican food is
really as highly seasoned as
so-called Mexican food served
in the States.
AS for the drinking water, in
tourist areas the water is pure
enough though apt to disagree
with people much as water in
the United States does with
some people when they travel
long distances. 1t is that reason
largely that we drank the sew
eral fine light beers or perhaps
some Of the fine excellent Mex
ican wines with our meals rather
than water when we were in
outlying districts.
In the better restaurants
"agua pura" is served at a mat
ter of course an your hotel sup
plies you also with it. Bottled
water and soft drinks are all
perfectly safe to drink. In Mex
leo City there is a pasturization
law and milk is safe to drink
and the ice cream safe to eat.
For breakfast you will be Of
fered cafe on leche. coffee half
and half with milk. This milk
is boiled and so it is safe to
drink anywhere in Mexico.
My husband and I did make
one rule: Never to eat fruit
bought at a street stand unless
we peeled it ourselves. Fruit in
restaurants was, of course, per-
fectly safe.
We followed the above pro-
gram and never once had even
a touch Of 'la tourista." We did
observed the Mexican custom of
eating a light snack in the af-
ternoon about 4 or so, then eat
ing our dinner about $3.50 or
$50 in the evening. We didn't
have any noticeably difficulty
with the altitude and that may
have been the reason. Most
tourists eat Inelr main meal at
noon for this reason, but that
does not appeal to us so we fol-
lowed the program of the upper
class MexicanS themselves.
One extra hint: If you find
you did not travel light enough
and haven't enough room to
bring back all the treasures
you'd like to. purchase some Of
the fine baskets and use them
to carry the loot.
Also, do not overlook the Ma
cional Monte de Picdad. It is
the national pawnshop and
there is at least one in most
Mexican cities and Is in Mex
leo City itself. There are good
buys to be had in jewelry and
antiques.