Cartels, Hot Dogs, Baseball, Mary and Gay Pride: Chicago Joe's Guide to CDMX (Mexico City)

"Isn’t Mexico violent and dangerous?" asked Josefina, a Mexican American tourist about 75 years old.

Our tour guide, Daniel, scoffed. "From what I see on the news, the US is violent and dangerous - especially Chicago."

"Yes, but you have the cartels, and they are violent."

Daniel got serious, "The cartel protects us. It’s the police we fear."

Josefina was indignant, "The cartel protects you?"

"The police rob us and steal from us," Daniel pauses and speaks with sincerity, "we respect the cartel, we fear the police."

Everywhere I went I felt safe, even if the police have assault type rifles. It's amazing how many Chicagoan's told me to avoid Mexico City due to it's violence, but live in a city with the same reputation for violence.

Ten Quick Takes

1. The Tomahawk chop is racist to Native peeople. But if Mexico is a nation of indigenous people, is it still racist for the Mexican professional baseball team to have the Tomahawk chop? I attended a Diablos game and the fans brought a soccer fanaticism and flavor to baseball.

They played America's jock rock somgs such as "Who Let the Dogs Out" and "Seven Nation Army" by the White Stripes. The vibe was like a Cubs-Sox game, but more spirited and engaging. The tickets were about $8 each for tenth row. The food was amazing, with vendors walking by every 15 seconds. I had a mini burrito with only steak, wrapped in bacon.

2. There’s a lot of 20-somethings who have braces. This is quite common in hospitality industry jobs. Is this a status symbol? The pursuit of an aesthetic perfection? Or, did the person have to wait until they could afford it? When I was a youngster we teased kids and called them tin grin, and now it's cool?

3. Pride weekend was no joke. Visitors flock for this weekend. The neighborhood along Plaza Reforma is buzzing with concerts, shows and activity. Imagine 1 million people in beautiful weather, along a grand boulevard, vendors all over - with Latin flavor. The images of tolerance and love from allies and family were inspiring.

4. Skip the anthropology museum. Go to the two major ruins, Teotihuacan or Tlatelolco, instead. The building is grand, but exhibits can’t compare with climbing a pyramid. Xochimilco was a blast, make sure you splurge and have your own private Mariachi concert for $30. The Frida Kahlo museum was inspiring and worth a visit for the surrounding Coyoacan neighborhood. Coyoacan reminds me of Wicker Park becasue it's 2-3 floor buldings, just on the edge of downtown's high rises.

5. The Juarez neighborhood has dozens of Korean and Neapolitan Pizza restaurants. One pizza place closed at 10 and had a 40 minute wait at 9:30. Another played vinyl songs by Diana Ross, Madonna and Crystal Waters. Check out the playlist inspired by DJ Aguilar from Torre's. The playlist I created is based on the first nine songs the DJ played, plus my own similar additions.

6. Mexicans love their ballads performed by national heroes, but salsa music is played everywhere. I heard it from street taco vendors, the truck drivers and housekeepers radios. If this is the case, who’s Mexico’s all time greatest salsa singer?

7. Cervezas Artesanales (Craft Beer). I asked the names of the craft beers available and the wattress could only tell me one thing. Te gusta Modelo Especial? She knew the right question to ask and brought me a Piedra Lisa.

8. Vanilla extract is a great gift. I picked up 500 ML (16.9 oz) for about $10. I saw an 8 oz bottle at my local Jewels for $25. Go ahead and pour double the amount in your next pancakes, French toast or cookies.

9. Street hot dogs are just like a Chicago Dog. They have chopped tomatoes and onions, and instead of sport peppers they have chopped jalapenos. They're sold on street carts all over for about $2 a pop and reminded me of home. PS, they serve with just mustard too!

10. Finally, the Basilica de Guadalupe is a must see. To understand why our Mexican neighbors in Chicago honor Mary with such reverence, visit the shrine. Especially if you are Catholic, it's a sacred site of reverence visited by millions of pilgrims per year. I arrived as communion was being served, and personally dislike when people only show up to mass for communion. But this was a special occasion and it took it and felt chills. To the faithful, this is a beautiful and inspiration site to experience.