We have done nearly 100 exchanges on 2 platforms and this one rates among the top 5! For many reasons......a truly beautiful unique home, the nicest hostess who provided lots of support and advice, and one of the world's largest cities with so much to do that you have to come back!
Carla contacted me when I posted in the Facebook group that one of my daughters and I were looking to come to Mexico City and we quickly worked out the details of the exchange. Through the next few weeks we communicated frequently and I felt we were friends before we ever got to Mexico.
We spent 3 nights in a hotel in Mexico City before heading out to Carla's home to meet her and her very nice family before they left. Got a quick tour and introductions to household staff and then they were off and we found ourselves in this absolutely beautiful custom house, one of the very nicest houses we have ever been in! Beautiful and comfortable, great design and layout, local materials....just fantastic. The beds were comfy and the kitchen had everything we needed. The helper was super sweet and kind and I liked talking with her via Google Translate.
Carla gave us tons of good advice on what to do on a daily basis, we used her preferred Uber driver (Luis) or their driver every day to get into the city or to the Cablebus station, and we walked or used Ubers in the city. Luis was a great driver! We are big on walking, and 10 miles a day was our average. We took the Cablebus in to the city and back twice, loved that, it was so fun. Uber is very inexpensive and easy to use. The cost of admissions and food was also very inexpensive.
Carla's recommendations on where to go and when and how all reflected her extensive local knowledge and also her pride in her country and culture. I learned a lot from her about Mexico on this trip, especially that Mexico is far more than what we tend to hear about. Mexico City is vibrant and cosmopolitan and European and full of great food and art and museums and huge buildings and markets and sights.
We visited each of the 9 major neighborhoods in Mexico City, took a canal ride in Xochimlico, went to the famous market at San Angel, toured the Museo Jumex and Friday Kahlo Museo, and went to Teotihuacan (pyramid complex), the Templo Mayor, the huge Cathedral in the historic center, and many other places.
We look forward to returning someday, and to visiting their other beautiful home as well.