Flying over Murals

With a wave of his hand, it was clear the man who had just paid for my bus fare would not accept any money from me. I had been trying to reach Mexicable, an air tram that carries commuters over hillside neighborhoods north of Mexico City. After doing a bit of research, I knew it was possible to get there cheaply by subway and bus instead of paying for an Uber. When I reached the end of the metro line and exited into a sea of buses, I realized it might not be so easy.

I finally found the right bus thanks to a policewoman who gave me very specific directions. I hopped on and realized I would need a “tarjeta,” a transit card with money loaded onto it. Since the cards cost a few dollars and the bus fare is just three pesos (15 cents), the driver recommended I ask a passenger to borrow their card, swipe it, and pay them in coins. The man in the front seat lent me his card, I tapped it against the reader, and it showed a balance of zero. Three cards later, he finally found one with just enough to pay my fare. As I offered to pay him the three pesos, he waved me away.

How much is a peso worth?

At first, I thought he just didn’t care about such a small amount of money. Later, I realized that it is not a small amount of money to many Mexicans. Commuters who come from the poor neighborhoods under the cable car probably don’t think it is cheap.

It turned out I would need a card to enter the Mexicable station as well. No problem, this time a policeman lent me his card, and he did accept the seven pesos payment from me. After my “flight” as the policeman called it, I boarded the bus back to the metro with confidence, knowing that I could just borrow a card from someone and pay them. Before I could ask, a young man in the front seat offered me his card. I dropped five pesos into his hand and thanked him, but as I found my way to the back of the bus, the woman next to him called back, “It only costs three pesos. You gave him too much.” I told her not to worry about it. Clearly, every peso is valuable to the workers here.

Frida is everywhere. This is outside of the first Mexicable station.

Beyond the wall

So why did I go to a commuter cable in the poor neighborhoods north of the city? It’s definitely not a tourist site. One reason was to see the murals painted throughout the neighborhoods visible to riders as they pass over. Another reason, as with most of my travels, was to go somewhere where I wouldn’t see another tourist and have conversations with Mexicans. I enjoyed the brief interactions I had with the several people who helped me along the way. During part of my cable ride, I was joined by a young professional “futbol” player from Mexico’s Pachuca team. He told me about the neighborhoods we were passing over, made sure I knew how to get back to the city, and thanked me for visiting the place where he grew up. Flying over the murals, talking with strangers, and feeling welcome and safe every step of the way – that is the Mexico I will remember from this day.

There are seven stops along the route. Switch cable cars after the fourth station.

It takes just a few minutes between stops.

Rooftops and stations are also decorated with murals.

More from Mexico City

Plazas, parks, and fountains are everywhere in Mexico City. Here are a few scenes from my first two days.

19 Comments

Elaine
April 15, 2019 @ 21:57

Tim-
These photos are gorgeous.

- Millie
  April 16, 2019 @ 08:14
  
  The murals are very creative and beautiful. Great photos. Looking forward to more.
  Millie
  
  - Tim Flanagan
    April 18, 2019 @ 17:21
    
    Lots more coming!
    
- Tim Flanagan
  April 18, 2019 @ 17:19
  
  Thanks. It’s even better in person.
  
Lori
April 15, 2019 @ 22:24

Why did I not know you (we) were going on another adventure! You have saved me from vacation boredom! Thanks, Tim! Loved the post and the photos! Keep ’em coming!

- Tim Flanagan
  April 18, 2019 @ 17:19
  
  Kind of a last-minute trip, the best kind!
  
  - Sara Carlson
    April 24, 2019 @ 21:36
    
    Love this story! How’s your spanish coming along?
    
Betsy
April 16, 2019 @ 07:11

Great post Tim! Love hearing about your personal interactions

- Tim Flanagan
  April 18, 2019 @ 17:20
  
  Thanks, Betsy. Stayed with three dogs for two nights with my Couchsurfing host. Cali would love it here!
  
Vicky Ann Deledda
April 16, 2019 @ 15:01

So much for pesos….value them! Did you go in the fountain, looks like it was hot! Love the colors, flying into México City always reminded me of a patchwork quilt. Enjoy!

- Tim Flanagan
  April 18, 2019 @ 17:21
  
  So wanted to jump in the fountain, but I had to keep my camera dry. If you were here, you could have held for me and taken pictures!
  
Linda Wight
April 16, 2019 @ 17:49

HI Tim, Glad you’re off on another adventure thanks for the beautiful pictures and description. Happy Easter, cousin Linda.

- Tim Flanagan
  April 18, 2019 @ 17:22
  
  Happy Easter, Linda! Holy Week is amazing here (more on that coming soon).
  
Diane
April 18, 2019 @ 07:52

You made it there!! Can’t wait to hear about it!

- Tim Flanagan
  April 18, 2019 @ 17:24
  
  I’m getting so much advice on where to visit for my next trip to Mexico. As my Couchsurfing host said, “You’re going to fall in love with Mexico.” I told him I already did.
  
  - Diane Gallo
    April 20, 2019 @ 08:56
    
    I love that! Sounds like a treasure right in our backyard.
    
    - Tim Flanagan
      April 21, 2019 @ 01:13
      
      Art is everywhere in Mexico.
      
Julie
April 18, 2019 @ 11:41

You are an inspiration! Love the mural photography! Say, I’m retiring at the end of the year! Perhaps we can travel together again!

- Tim Flanagan
  April 18, 2019 @ 17:24
  
  Definitely! I’m limited to school vacations . . . for now. Congratulations!