Mexico City

It’s obvious that we’re having a great time by the lack of time we’re spending on the blog. We’ve been going going going non-stop, and fall into bed every night exhausted (shocking, eh). So here’s a run-down of what we’ve been up to…

To get acquainted with Mexico City we took the Turibus which was a nice way to take it all in, and walked as far as what we drove (or so it seemed). Some sights…. Alemeda Central, a nice park where there are many vendors, performers, and people enjoying the outdoors. We noticed that everyone is holding hands and lots of people of all ages necking; the beautiful marble Palacio de Bellas Artes is at the end of the park with impressive murals by Diego Rivera and other famous muralists. We also went to the touristy Ballet Folklorico de Mexico inside Bellas Artes, but there were more Mexican tourists which was great to see. We checked out Plaza Garibaldi for the mariachis and pulque (original agave alcoholic beverage - from Aztec times). It was mellow when we were there, but we heard Friday and Saturday nights get crazy with all the mariachis playing and people partying.

I loved the outlaying neighborhood called Coyoacan which is where Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera’s house is located and is now an interesting museum. Walking around Coyoacan, I had this sudden feeling that I really AM in another country - maybe because it looked and felt much different than the more urban areas of Mexico City - and I just loved that feeling. I’m traveling again!

The Central Historico district and the main plaza, (aka zocalo) was nice. The zocalo is also the site of the palacio national - offices of the president of Mexico and the federal treasury. Inside there are amazing murals by Diego Rivera but we couldn’t go in the first time we tried because it was closed for a protest. The plaza is a place for political protests and we saw a protest every day we were there. Nothing spectacular or dramatic. Although when I saw what looked like the entire Mexico City police force marching in unison toward the square for what I thought was a protest, that was a little intimidating. Also in the zocalo is the Catedral Metropolitan, built in 1543, which has been sinking unevenly since then because it was built on an ancient lake. You could clearly see the cracks and uneven ground. Around the Cathedral There are many dancers dressed up in traditional conchero with feathered headdresses, and they dust people with sage in what looks like a blessing.

I also love walking around the markets - crazy and disturbing yet interesting. Meat, chicken and fish are just sitting out all day waiting to be purchased and hopefully cooked really well. Like most other countries the use the entire animal, nothing is wasted. We saw huge cow tongues, brains, intestines and entire fried pig skins which seemed really popular.

The first time we ate in the market, we weren’t sure how it worked… but it worked out. They have el Menu Del Dia which is usually only $3-$5 and includes soup, bread, rice and beans, a main dish, desert and agua frescas (fruit juice, water and sugar). The food is different here which is what I expected, but I don’t know what a lot of it is. That Spanish isn’t coming back as fast as I would like for it to! I’ve been a little more cautious than Mike in terms of what I eat and drink, but am becoming more adventurous.

We posted some photos with captions. See the link at the top right side of the blog.