Exploring Mexico City (Full Episode) | Best of the World with Antoni Porowski | National Geographic

>> Now this is a castle.

This bougie joint was built in 1785

as a summer residence for European nobility.

On sacred land shaped by thousands

of years of history.

The colonizing aristocrats eventually got the boot.

And now >> it's a museum

that celebrates this country's

rich and sometimes complicated cultural heritage.

And it sits in the middle of one of the largest

urban parks in the world.

Right in Mexico City.

>> I mean I'm standing on the balcony of a castle

centuries old fully surrounded

by skyscrapers and it's endless.

I mean look at this place.

Mexico City, let's go. This is unreal.

What makes something the best?

Is it the view?

>> You said don't look down and that was the first thing that I did.

>> Is it the steak? >> It's so romantic.

Or is it a meal so good it makes you want to cry?

>> Oh that was so beautiful.

That like warmed my soul.

>> Every year National Geographic

names its best of the world.

Must-see destinations that rise above the rest.

>> This is the most biodiverse

place in the whole world.

>> And you're part of that story.

>> Now they've given me the best job in the

>> I just saw my reflection.

I'm crushing >> To explore places

to stay, restaurants, >> sites and experiences >> That's a thing.

I'm in the head.

In Mexico City, London,

and my >> You're a New York treasure.

>> I'm on a quest

to find the best.

Because for me, the best is more than just hype.

This is like a beautiful representation of cultures.

It's food, but it's also

a history of the people.

It's the sights, the sounds, >> It's showtime! >> the flavors.

>> You can only taste this in Mexico.

>> And it's almost always the people.

>> It's made with a lot of love.

>> Why the Statue of Liberty?

>> She's so New York.

I came to this country for freedom.

Best I've ever had in my life.

>> I'm Antoni Porowski, and this

is Best of the World. Mexico City.

Thrilling, electrifying, and home to almost 23

million Built on what was once the capital of the Aztec Empire,

it's like weirdly unexpected

but Now, it's the largest city in North

spread across 570 square miles,

and founded over 700 years ago.

I've never actually been here, but it's definitely very European,

except the streets are twice as wide.

Mexico City is split into 16

large boroughs, made up of nearly 2,000

smaller neighborhoods or colonias.

It's so vast and has so much to offer

that you could spend a whole lifetime

But you got to start somewhere,

so I've hand-picked six experiences

that capture its global

spirit and ancient roots.

First off, I'm following

my stomach to a place where Mexican

tradition is being revamped

in the upscale Colonia Roma Norte.

A historic district with a modern pulse

and an insane food scene.

A few months ago I was on a trip with my best friend.

We were on the Mexican

and she texted me one morning

and she was like, "You need to get your butt here immediately

because I'm having like the best pastries

I've ever tried in my life."

We found out that they all came from this place called Rosetta

and so I had to come to the source.

This place is A good line is a good sign.

This isn't just a stop for a quick

Rosetta Bakery is a bread and pastry nirvana.

Whether you're a local

or gringo like me. That's it. What a beauty.

And there's a star attraction.

Rosetta's signature delicacy, the guava roll.

Buttery pastry, guava jam, cream cheese,

ah, all in this perfect swirl.

It's a hearty yes for me.

Want to see us?

Una uh rollo de guayaba, por favor. Gracias.

Thank you so much. >> You're welcome. >> Okay, let's go. This is perfection.

The guava's not too sweet.

This is so Perfectly crispy, great lamination, a little tangy.

I just saw my reflection,

I'm crushing The best food is always messy.

That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

The only thing more exciting

about this wonderful pastry that I just completely demolished

is the fact that the chef

who created this has a restaurant that's right down the

I think it's about time I go meet her.

I mean, it is her fault I got food all over my face.

This leafy little number

is one of the world's best restaurants. Oh, wow. This is epic.

There's something so palatial

and whimsical about it.

Chef Elena, so nice to meet you. >> Me too.

>> This is one of the most beautiful dining room spaces

I've ever stepped into. And it's homey. >> It's homey.

I always wanted it to be

>> Rosetta is the flagship

restaurant of Chef Elena Reygadas.

It won a Michelin star in 2024,

the first year the inspectors

showed up in Mexico.

And has repeatedly made it into the world's top 50 best restaurants.

If you're a traditional

Mexican dish and you need a 21st

century glow up, Elena's got you covered.

Just really excited to get to know what you're all about.

>> Let's go to the kitchen.

Today, Elena is taking on a classic,

tamales, and creating a brand new dish to add to her menu.

>> You're in the best time of Mexico because it's a rainy season.

>> And the corn now is really at its best. >> It looks juicy. >> Exactly.

Look, if you see all >> It just popped. >> No, don't apologize.

Tamales, corn parcels so good

the Aztecs offered them to the gods.

Today, they're the ultimate comfort food. Sweet or savory? Your choice.

Can I just say I love that we're making

tamales, a very homey food. >> It feels homey.

>> serving it in a Michelin star restaurant.

Like that's so cool.

>> I really like making

humble food as luxurious

as >> food that is in theory luxurious. >> Yeah, of course.

>> It feels beautiful when something that you love,

other people love it.

I think the most beautiful thing about cooking is to to share.

After working in New York and London,

Elena could have opened a restaurant

anywhere in the world.

But she followed her heart back home.

>> I always loved Mexico, but until I was there in London,

I realized how amazing Mexico is.

>> It's like you have to leave home to realize

that you should be home, you >> Yes, yeah.

>> Here, processed corn flour is public enemy numero uno.

Elena uses fresh corn

and a special ingredient

to add a little extra something something.

>> This is called huitlacoche

and it's a very special fungus.

>> And what's the flavor that adds?

>> It gives like a earthy flavor. >> Okay, yeah.

>> It's super super prized.

Some people call it the truffle of Mexico.

>> And when you see it like this, it's a

>> It's a mushroom, yes.

>> If you want a little Mexican

mushroom magic, you've come to the right place.

Huitlacoche might just be the best kept secret since mezcal.

Elena blends it with onions and chilies

along with an aromatic herb called epazote.

Giving diners a different kind of buzz.

>> Now we're going to make our steamer.

>> It's so different, but it reminds me of making cabbage rolls,

like Polish cabbage rolls and it's like the layering,

sealing the pod, putting all the elements in.

>> Ah, well, I didn't knew you have Polish

>> I'm a true Polish boy.

First one in my family born outside of Poland. >> There you go.

We learned about each other through food. >> I agree. >> You know?

>> And I think it's important

to never forget where we come from

and what we You can only

taste this in Mexico.

>> And like this in Rosetta.

>> You you to come here to be able to have >> And that's beautiful, you know?

We don't want to be the same.

>> Elena's mix of old and new makes a trip to Rosetta

>> as good as it gets. >> These are ready.

Wow, that is so decadent. Oh my god. >> You like it?

>> That is so luxurious. >> I know.

>> And it's not too smoky.

>> No, it's just subtly smoky. >> Come on.

I get that little funky mushroomy vibe coming through.

>> But also like the sweetness of the corn.

>> about the sweetness of the corn.

You didn't distract it. This is brilliant.

It's like a warm hug.

I can't thank you enough

for taking the time to

show me who you are through your food. >> Thank you. >> Thank you, chef.

Thank you so much.

>> Thank you for coming.

>> I'm going to finish these off.

I know you have a you have an empire to run and a lunch

service to tend to. So lux.

For someone who has like such a world presence,

there's this incredible balance

of respecting where she comes from and like really honoring

it, but not being afraid to put her own voice in it.

That it's all personal.

And that's what a restaurant should be. In my opinion.

These are damn good.

Best tamales I've ever had in my life.

Elena, her restaurant, this food,

rooted in heritage, refined

by craft, defined by flavor.

Mexico City, now that's how you make an

>> Okay, so you can't throw a stone in this country without hitting a 400-year-old bell tower.

Everywhere you look, there's a cathedral

that'll make your jaw drop.

And just a half mile east of Roma Norte,

there's a huge one in gritty Colonia Doctores

where all religions come to pray.

>> This place is massive.

>> This is Arena Mexico,

aka the cathedral of lucha libre.

Founded in 1956, it's like a real cathedral

except you're at least twice as likely to see someone get kicked in the face.

Lucha libre, with its iconic

masks, is more than wrestling.

Dating back to it's a vibrant tradition that combines

ancient warrior spirit with uniquely

Mexican techniques and is now officially

recognized as part of the cultural

heritage of the city. Oh my gosh.

For decades, this arena has been the domain of macho dudes in tight lycra

and I'm a little intimidated.

But I'm here to meet one of the best female

wrestlers in the country.

She's a total badass. >> Are you Persephone? >> I am Persephone.

Nice to meet you.

>> So nice to meet you. >> Nice to you.

>> 24-year-old Persephone is the current champion in the Amazonas League.

That's the very best women wrestlers

or luchadoras in Mexico.

>> This is probably where the best wrestlers in Mexico come because I'm not even

from Mexico City, but obviously

anyone who wants to be a wrestler, you have to >> to the cathedral.

>> You have to come to the cathedral. >> Were you born?

>> I was born in El Paso, Texas, but my family's

all Mexican, so I'm Mexican-American.

I was born on the

>> What made you decide to do lucha libre?

>> I've always loved lucha libre

and it's part of who we are.

It's part of our roots.

I think in Mexico,

once you can start running around,

they jump into a ring and get started. Yeah.

>> looking to make sure they're okay. >> Yeah, I know.

I love it, but it is very dangerous.

Well, like she's fine. She's fine.

You want to give it a try? >> Yeah, let's go. >> Let's go downstairs.

I've got health insurance. Okay.

So, what's the worst that can happen? I trust you.

>> Really glad I just ate.

>> Persephone has to get in. >> Come on. >> Like a god.

>> Like a Marvel superhero.

I'm down for whatever you want to teach with reason. >> Yeah, of course. Hand on neck.

>> And then that hand >> First, the lock up.

>> I'm going to push against you and you're going to push against me. >> Right? >> Pushing.

And then break that one up. There you go.

And now you're ready for the headlock.

And there you go.

>> Your hair smells really nice.

Yeah, but we can talk about that later.

>> I'll give it to you later.

>> I'm going to go pick her up.

>> Next, taking your opponent down.

>> You want to give it a try? You okay? I'm great.

That was so dope.

This all takes a whole bunch of skill

Especially when your guts are getting body slammed into the mat. >> There we go. That was it. That was perfect. >> Gracias.

That was so freaking cool.

And this was only a warm-up.

Pettis say barely has time to recover from the beating she gave me

cuz it's fight night at the cathedral. It's building up.

It was already like

and I'm not even inside yet.

The atmosphere is electric.

Good, clean, brutal fun for the whole

>> If I was hit like that,

it would be the end of me.

These are Pettis say's parents,

Alfred and Veronica, who snagged me a spot close enough to feel the sweat.

These are some good seats. >> Yes, they are.

>> The most shocking thing of all of this,

it is so much more real

than I ever >> Everything is real.

The hits are real.

The tumbling is real.

Just learning how to take them

is the >> I'm so excited to see Pettis say. >> Oh, wow. >> I know. Thank you, next.

>> And there's one way to really make this an unforgettable night out.

You need to get involved.

Whether you root for the good guys

or the baddies like Pettis say.

Seriously, though, my pal Paleta say

is a straight-up supervillain. >> This is crazy. >> Super crazy.

>> I've never booed a girl before.

Not really proud of it.

>> My mind is blown.

>> Fight in the face.

>> The fighting, the acrobatics,

the athletics, the theater.

>> Lucha libre is It's an entire universe.

>> Kick her ass, baby. >> That's right.

You tell your daughter to kick her ass.

>> I was surprisingly more invested than I thought I would be.

>> Oh, I saw that move.

>> I've never booed for anyone before. I'm Canadian.

We don't do that.

That's not our vibe. >> Choose kindness. Come on, Berserker.

YOU KICK HER ASS.

>> BUT the universality of this

ongoing fight between good and evil

is something that gets

everyone sort of >> You felt that energy from the stadium

and from the families

swarming with kids and grabbing masks.

It truly does bring people together.

I wouldn't understand it until I experienced it. >> That's her move. That's her move. >> That's her move. That's right, baby. Yeah. >> Arena Mexico.

>> It's not for the faint of heart. That I'll say.

>> It's pure massive chaos.

>> And if you're lucky,

you might even get to see the girl who followed her dreams

all the way to the cathedral

to kick some serious ass.

All right, just 1 second. I dropped something. 1 second. We're good. We're wrapped. Okay.

All right, have a good one, guys. >> Oh, wow. That's impressive.

No shortage of beautiful

buildings and structures to see.

Mexico City is an architecture

geek's So, I'm in heaven.

There's Gothic and Baroque,

Art Deco and Art Nouveau,

mid-century modern, and contemporary.

And having been founded in 1325

as the capital of the Aztec Empire,

traces of that legacy

are woven into the fabric of the city.

But today, I'm going to explore something totally unique.

I'm heading to the outskirts,

to an area called Paseos del Bosque.

Translated as walks in the woods,

it's a quiet residential

suburb away from the hubbub of the city center.

Where there's a building that promises

to be like nothing

I've ever >> Gracias, señor.

>> It's all nature, and then suddenly you just get a peek of like mosaic,

and it just like

creeps up on you out of nowhere. Oh my gosh.

Wait, this is wild.

El Nido de Quetzalcoatl.

The nest of the feathered serpent god.

It might sound like an Indiana Jones movie, but

it's an apartment building.

This is so trippy.

Is that a fang? That's a fang.

I'm in the head.

It's set within 50 acres of forest

with a botanical garden

and community Designed to look like a snake

slithering through the trees,

it's a master class of organic

I'm taking it in,

but it's basically a mashup of Fraggle Rock and wherever the hobbits live. >> Hola, Adriana. >> Hola, Anthony.

>> I'm going to come down.

Adriana, an architect at the firm that built this place,

is here to explain everything. What a space. >> I know, right? >> This is unreal.

I really enjoy and appreciate

architecture, but I've never seen anything

that I can even compare this

>> Have you ever imagined

sleeping inside a snake?

>> No, I've never, but the same thing is I also have like a pretty

bad fear of snakes.

It's borderline on a phobia.

Yet, in this environment,

it's very Adriana works with world-famous

Mexican architect Javier Senosiain,

who's all about jaw-dropping

organic Fluid, curvy, colorful.

They don't just sit on the land.

They become part of it.

>> If you look at the body of the serpent,

you will see that it's touching the land just in three different points

and the rest of the body it's levitating

leaving the surrounding nature

>> So, it only touches

the ground where it really needs to and then it's all

>> What was it like for you the first time that you came to this space?

>> Oh my god, I was so amazed

that something like this exists.

>> And here in my country,

so I feel very

excited and grateful of having

a place like this here.

>> It's amazing to look at,

but staying the night here would be something else.

Wow, I just got a little glimpse.

There are eight privately owned apartments

plus two vacation rentals.

It's great if you want to meditate,

chill out, or just confront your crippling lifelong fear of snakes.

>> So, welcome in, Anthony.

>> It's like a tree house.

>> Look at the windows.

>> Obviously custom cut pieces.

>> Designed to frame the nature,

which is the artwork itself.

>> My brain is being itched

in a really pleasing way, if that makes any

What a little nook.

It's like it feels like art. >> Oh my gosh.

>> It fits to the shape of the human body.

So, all the Yeah, all the furniture is ergonomic.

>> Like luxury hotels certainly have their place, but

there's a serenity here.

>> This leaves you with

much more interesting memories, I think. >> I know.

And here you have the luxury of being surrounded by nature.

>> By being inside of our mother's

womb, we feel protected,

warm, and cozy in there.

And that's the same idea

or feeling that Javier tries to keep us by creating these organic spaces.

>> I guess it's kind of a womb with a view.

I mean, come on, that's a good one.

But seriously, this is a totally

unique place to come to experience

a quieter, gentler side of Mexico City.

Even the restroom is a work of art.

It's like a Van Gogh. Oh my god.

Next time I'm booking a place whenever I go to a city,

granted I'm probably not going to find anything like this

anywhere else in the world,

but I think it's an opportunity

to start thinking, what do I want my experience to be like?

Do you want to be in a perfectly

square room with air conditioning

and a certain thread count,

or do you want something where you can kind of look out the window

and see this incredibly

diverse ecosystem that's just like living around you?

This is a utopian

wonderland unlike anything I've ever experienced.

This is the craziest toilet I've ever

I'd love to stay here just to take it all in,

but if I do, I'll be late.

Late for a very important date.

Since it's my first

time in Mexico City, what is it?

There's a beautiful chaos here.

There's one thing I absolutely need to do.

Meet up with an old friend. how are you? Oh my god.

>> Ricardo has lived here his whole life.

>> Many people when they think about Mexico,

they instantly think about our beautiful beaches,

but I think that Mexico City

is sort of our best-kept >> Probably till now. Sorry, guys.

>> Ricardo's a proud Chilango,

someone born and raised in Mexico City.

And he tells me I've got a sample a little known local delicacy.

About 30 million are eaten each day in Mexico City alone.

There's basically a taqueria on every corner.

But, not all taquerias

are created In lush Condesa,

fashionable neighborhood right next to Roma Norte,

there's a totally chill bohemian

kind of vibe and a spot that's bringing the tortilla

back to its former glory. Maiz Oro.

Wow, it goes a lot deeper than I thought. Yes.

>> Here you can have the real thing.

>> They do the tortillas here.

>> The way it should be. >> Hello.

Anthony, nice to meet you.

>> Come down, nice to meet you. >> having us.

>> Maiz Oro is run by 33-year-old chef Santiago Muñoz.

Tortillas are kind of his thing.

And he's all about making them the traditional way.

These days, most are made from highly processed industrial corn flour.

It's quick, >> but it lacks soul.

Santiago uses only native heirloom corn.

It's brought from small farms and processed

the way his ancestors

would have done for thousands of years.

>> I want my people to eat the best

>> And what I trying to do everyday here is to make the best tortilla.

>> Of Mexico, so >> The best tortilla in the world. >> That's the goal.

>> Almost the 50% of the corn in Mexico

is coming from the United States.

It's hybrid or GMO.

Hybrid corn, it's flavorless, you know?

We have 64 different corn in Mexico. >> 64 different varieties.

All these corns have like blue,

red, white and different sizes.

We need to keep alive our seed

because the flavor is beautiful.

>> And it's not just the corn that makes Santiago's tortillas pop.

It's skills and techniques

that are straight out of Aztec cookbooks.

>> Are you going to do some magic now?

>> First, he cooks the corn with lime.

The calcium hydroxide kind, not the fruit.

A process called nixtamalization.

Great for tortillas and for a high score in Scrabble.

>> This is cold water

and this has this >> That's crazy.

>> The heat is wild. Oh, they cracked.

>> The lime helps break down the corn.

So, when it's ground up, it makes a softer,

silky, more nutritious dough and the results are super tasty.

>> You do this process every day.

>> We grind the corn every day.

So, it's really fresh. >> We are Aztecs. We are Mesoamerica.

The tradition is there.

We need to keep it

>> Preservation through food, right? >> Time to taste.

It's a tough job,

but someone's got to do it.

Oh my gosh, thank you.

Ricardo and I each have one of his famous campechano tacos.

A meat lover's dream.

>> It's a spicy, be careful. >> Okay, let's go.

>> You're just putting it on?

>> I'm following your >> A taco without salsa is not a taco.

Is that a golden rule or is that your golden rule?

>> that's my golden rule. Smoky.

That's damn That's damn good.

But like the tortilla does make the >> It's good, right?

>> It's like a smoky and like a sweetness to it. Okay, that's spicy.

>> I'm going to Don't cry.

>> I'm a Polish boy.

We're sensitive to heat.

>> The ancient people of Mesoamerica

first harvested corn about 9,000 years ago.

And they've spent more than three millennia perfecting tortillas.

Now I understand that like the tortilla is the most important part of the taco.

Now I get it.

Look, the food is objectively delicious.

The ingredients are like super premium,

but the most interesting thing is always

the story behind it.

Santiago's passion for preserving

his heritage and showcasing Mexico's homegrown corn.

That's what puts Pujol

on my best of list.

Now I just need some fresh air.

And Ricardo just recommended

a great place where I can get plenty.

I'll admit, I'm not much of an early

But my pal Ricardo

talked me into getting up before dawn

to enjoy a wellness experience

you can't get anywhere else.

>> When you kind of go off the beaten path a little bit, which

we're actually literally doing right now,

you get to see something really magic.

So I got my coffee

and I'm ready to go.

>> I'm traveling about 15 miles south from the center

to an idyllic natural paradise

and UNESCO World Heritage Site

that's still within the city limits. Crazy, right?

Welcome to Parque Ecológico Xochimilco. >> Buenos días. >> Good morning.

>> Hey Anthony, good morning.

>> He's our guide today.

He's going to take us canoeing.

Here is one of my favorite places

to have a sunrise in Mexico City

and I really want you to experience it.

Sorry for making you wake up this early in the morning. >> perfect. I'm excited. >> perfect.

So, let's do it.

>> You're going to go sitting here. Don't fall.

I'm going to just put you

in the >> You good there? >> I'm great.

>> You good at it. >> Famous last words.

>> Xochimilco is over 100 miles of winding canals

and man-made islands or

Believe it or not,

this is what much of Mexico City used to look like.

The Aztecs built their capital,

on an island in the middle of a vast

And this is the last living piece of that ancient world.

>> What do you think, Anthony? It's amazing, right? >> It's wild. >> I told you.

Yeah, I I love it.

>> I feel like >> Xochimilco

is sort of >> uh hideaway from the chaos. >> Yeah.

And we are in a completely different world.

>> Get here early enough

and you're in for a truly

unforgettable This is epic.

This is my first glimpse of the >> Isn't it amazing? >> It's beautiful.

Yo, this is unreal.

>> It's hard to imagine at this peaceful time of day,

but more than a million visitors take to these canals each year. >> Paddling is peaceful.

It kind of slows it down in a nice way,

but I think the environment

begs for >> This is not about going super fast.

This is about >> breathing, feeling.

I mean these views.

>> Most of the original chinampas

have been lost to urban development,

but thanks to conservation

efforts and the rich soil,

the ones that survived

are an awesome place to grow flowers and crops.

>> So, what are they farming here?

>> There's corn, squash, chilies, beans.

>> So, corn, squash, chilies all around >> Yes. Everything grows here.

>> It's like a regenerative

type of >> So, this place has everything.

It gives you food.

>> And it gives you retreat.

It gives you clean air.

It's our history and

it's in our roots.

So, a lot of us, like myself,

we're not from here.

But, we somehow feel connected

to the and the only thing it's left is honoring it.

Just to switch up the energy, I say we race home.

Are you guys down? >> Yes, please. >> Let's go.

Standing up, just kidding.

>> I won't let you pass.

>> Your competitiveness is kicking in. >> There's no way.

Both fun for cars. >> It's breathtaking.

And what makes this place so truly

unique, and really the best way to really understand

the history of Mexico

is because this is what the environment used to be like.

I think just taking into account how massive

this city is, and in such a short amount of time,

you can be in a completely different world. What's that?

>> That's a little surprise. >> Okay.

If by surprise, you mean my literal worst nightmare.

There are baby hanging by their necks. Where are we?

>> It's called the Dolls

Island, La Isla de las Muñecas.

>> Isla de las Muñecas.

>> Ricardo tells me this abandoned

chinampa has become a spooky tourist attraction.

Legend says the dolls have been left here to appease the spirit of a

young who drowned nearby. >> Yes, yes. Here you are.

Well, Anthony, it was nice to meet you.

>> All right, see you later. >> Oh my god.

>> Yeah, it's crazy, right?

I swear I never put a foot on this

>> I can't imagine why.

This is like the set of a horror film.

You come to Xochimilco,

and there's something so calming about it, but

you don't have to go too far, and there's always something that kind of

like reminds you that the world is a weird place.

>> That's It's thing about Mexico City.

You never quite know what's around the

But odds are it's probably

going to be something you won't forget. >> Viva Mexico!

>> Mexico loves a party.

I mean, this place is famous for its fiestas and parades.

And now I'll get to witness one that I've read so many good things about.

There's expected to be about 500,000

people, which is wild.

It's a parade you've probably never even heard of.

But clearly I have to be part of it. These are wild.

Each October, the Alebrijes

parade is a colossal

display of folk art and national pride.

It stars fantastical creatures.

Each one a mixture of different

These colorful paper mache sculptures

are hand painted and turn Mexico City

into a living art gallery.

And it all starts in the historic

Zocalo, the city's main square.

Since this is all new to me,

I'm meeting up with Fernanda,

who's plugged into Mexico City's folk art scene,

and she just texted.

Let's meet up by the pink giraffe

with the body of the turtle

with cacti growing from its shell, shall we? Normal.

Now I got to find her. Wish me luck.

I'm never going to find her cuz these are all so beautiful and I'm

getting so There's so many.

It's like trying to find a needle in a haystack,

but it's a psychedelic Wait, woah.

Giraffe, Jack, turtle, cactus,

>> Anthony, how are you? >> I found you.

>> So nice to see you.

>> First question, what is happening here?

>> Okay, so we're in Mexico City.

>> Yes, that's a good start.

>> And this is one of our biggest

>> It was planned as a way

to kind of like

rebel against cool churches

being locked up in a museum between four walls.

>> So they came up with this brilliant

idea of taking art

into the streets so that everyone can see it and everyone >> Available for everybody.

>> Exactly, and everyone can be part of it.

>> There's nothing that I can compare it to that I've seen that even comes

close to >> Yes, and it has just become

way bigger each time.

>> These psychedelic giants were first created

on a much smaller scale

by Mexican artist Pedro Linares

back in the The idea came to him right after a fever

>> He had this weird

nightmare where animals like these kept on chasing him

and he so he was trying to

escape from >> When he woke up feeling inspired,

he began crafting these quirky animal

and the alebrije was born.

>> And now they're so popular

because they're believed to be like protectors

or guides for people.

>> Yeah, so these are all positive symbols. >> Yeah, exactly.

Folk art, in my opinion,

is the driving force

that is showcasing what Mexico really is.

Back when I was a kid,

>> whenever I told people that I am Mexican,

they would ask like, "Oh my god, you're from the country of narcos, right?

Can you actually leave

But for these several years now, folk art has been saying like, "No, we're not that. We're this."

For the artists, creating

an alebrije is a chance to make a statement

on equal rights, immigration,

animal welfare, the environment, you name it.

To think that every single one of these pieces has some kind of a

story and an intention

behind it, it's so inspiring.

>> This is a path of awareness.

The women wrote down all their messages

while they were in treatment.

>> They're all personal, and every single one has a different story and a different

reason for doing it. It's beautiful.

What does that one mean?

>> They actually did it to pay memorial

to >> I'm going to stop asking questions cuz I'm just going to cry. >> What's the bell?

>> It's actually time for the parade,

so >> Does that mean it's time to party? >> And they're off.

More than 200 artists

tow their creations along a 3-mile

parade route, from the Zócalo,

through the heart of the old city,

down the vast Paseo de la Reforma,

all the way to the iconic Angel of Independence.

>> We're literally marching in the parade right now.

So, this is a corn stalk, right? >> Oh, yeah. Yeah, yeah.

>> What's What's the significance of this?

>> In nuestra cultura, nos dicen nuestros

que somos hombres de maíz. Nacimos del maíz.

El maíz es un símbolo de resistencia

de nuestras culturas, porque es nuestro alimento.

Y eso nos integra y nos une. Compartimos la comida.

Creo que lo más importante

para nosotros en esta pieza

es que la gente recuerde

de >> It's so much more than just beautiful.

>> Yeah, it has a lot of meaning.

>> This is so real and

and it's fine and

instead of letting everyone

else dictate who we are as Mexicans,

we dictate it and we show it here.

>> I didn't expect to cry

during a parade, but here we are.

It's estimated that more than 600,000

people are here embracing

Mexico's spirit and unity.

>> It's a good day to be a Mexican.

>> It's a damn good day to be a Mexican. Gracias. Muchas gracias. >> Viva Mexico.

>> I have never been part of

or experienced such a gentle

and beautiful activism that sends such an important

message in a way that still exudes so much joy.

You realize that it's so much more than just a parade.

My visit to Mexico City was like the best first date ever.

It checks every single box.

It's a fiesta of the senses, stunningly beautiful.

The people here, they lead with

There's something about its soul, I think, that is really truly unlike

any other place in the world.

>> There's an authenticity here,

rooted in thousands of years of history,

and carrying an unshakeable

pride, with the restless

energy of a city always looking at what's next.

>> So, I'm not saying adios.

I'm saying hasta luego. See you later.