Robert and I have been discussing on and off for years about doing a visit to Monterrey. I met him when I was a freshman in college and he came to NYU to visit Andrea and Natalia. He was studying architecture in Monterrey.
Robert picked me up from the airport and immediately took my to Habita, the famous rooftop restaurant and bar with panoramic views of the city and it’s surrounding mountains. The first thing I noticed on the way there was that Monterrey had the most beautiful and modern highways I had seen in Mexico, except for the intra-urban left-side exits every now and then. Eeek.
Monterrey is Mexico’s shining example of modernity. Shadowed only by the megalopolis and shining towers of Mexico City, Monterrey cannot really be compared to the capital of the country. It’s the capital of the state of Nuevo León but it plays by its own rules. Mexico City is more decidedly a representation of all of Mexico and perhaps the world.
I enjoyed fabulous meals along with award-winning views in Monterey. It was a welcome slap in the face. Monterrey screams at you “we are Mexican too!”, even though it is so different from all other Mexican cities. It has a beautiful El Centro, Bario Antigua. The main plaza is traditional and offers the most beautiful mexican flag I had seen thus far. Statues of the famous independence leaders mark the corners, including my favorites: Juarez, Hidalgo and, of course, the bandana-wearing Morelos. The plaza is extended in 80s style over a mile of underground parking and highways and is known as the Macroplaza. Buildings that look like they are from the set of Demolition Man (100 years in the future) surround the plaza. Modern reflecting pools with sculptures strike your fancy as you feel like you we are walking forward in time.
Yes, this is the same city that the New York Times says is unsafe, just like Morelia. It had a few years from 2009-2012 where the unregulated nightlife scene gave way to drug trafficking and created a bit of a ghetto. The area has since been revitalized and nightlife has been reigned in reasonably.
Mountain views abound!
Our night out on the town did not disappoint. Robert brought me to the venue known to attract local artists of all kinds: performance artists, gallery owners, etc. People were friendly, fashionable to a T, and really into the DJ; moving along to his beats with big smiles as hands in the air. The air was pretty chilly and there were lots of fashionable jackets being worn, but it didn’t stop the glitterati from coming out to party on a Saturday night.
We drove to the lookout point at the top of the city and Robert lamented the air pollution. He said the good news is that because some of the bigger problems are getting better, attention can finally be paid to air quality.
A beautiful Monterrey moment.
Later, Robert showed me his art gallery and office space. I thought it was so incredibly impressive that Robert had built his business to such a point that he was able to extend his endeavors to become a collector and curator of beautiful art. They are about to open a show in Mexico City! I wish him and Charlie all the best in their future together.
A candid photo of Robert.