Mexico City Sights

The road trip with Rob and Lydia continues as we tour Mexico City. IT WAS A HUGE CITY but very beautiful.  It reminded us of New York.  We expected a dirty run down city. But it was well kept up and maintained.

Palace of Fine Arts

The "Tile House" is a popular landmark.







No  "#2"  in this bathroom - only Pipi as they put it ;-)

For all you grammar nuts out there, we got a kick out of this.





This guy looked like he was floating in mid air for hours. Look closely, nothing seems to be holding him up!  (Dane figured out his secret...)



An old-fashioned organ grinder playing some greats.

Its a good feeling to see our fellow Brothers and Sisters preaching everywhere we go.

A lot of modern Mexican art focuses on the themes below - the exploitation and mistreatment of the indigenous people.  And the ensuing independence movement.



As the postcard says this castle is in the middle of the city.



It's crazy to think all of this opulence was to house one family.

Look!  A bathtub in Mexico!



This was not a gag painting - apparently a realist



Now that's how a Starbucks should be!

Complete with indigenous street performers needing their Frappuccino fix.

Mexico City's Anthropological Museum. Artifacts from Mexico's different indigenous cultures.  It would have taken days too see it all - very extensive.
Below is a sacrificial alter - notice the trough?

The "Stone of the Sun" is a sacrificial alter - initially thought to be an Aztec calendar.  This has become a symbol of Mexico - frequently in art and souvenirs.

Replica of a grave site



This carving was over 20 feet tall - representing one of the agricultural gods.

This one is called "The Creator" - another one of their gods.

This made us think of the sling that was used by David against Goliath

Ancient ball games - where soccer originally came from.  Many things about it were very symbolic - it was part of sun worship.

They had to hit a rubber ball through these rings using their hips or forearms.  When the Europeans came they were amazed at their skill and precision.





A dinner with a view - for $4.  Ironically this was the cheapest taco place we could find.  I of course had to find the bathroom and when I went upstairs...




NEXT STOP: Xochimilco. It is connected by a series of canals, which are left from what was an extensive lake and canal system that connected most of the settlements together. It has been dubbed "The Venice of Mexico" and is preserved as a World Heritage Site.


Just like in our Mexican neighborhood we had vendors coming by - calling out what they were offering...

..."Elote" the guy says. (AKA corn with cheese, crema, lime, and spicy powder. Yum!)  Other vendors offered tamales, souveniers and drinks.

...and of course Mariachi bands to enliven the fiesta.







Yep this guy is being pulled by a horse ... on a highway.


A beautiful drive home ended our great road trip with Rob and Lydia.  The people we were going to stay with fell through but it gave us a chance to meet a very fun and hospitable couple - friends of Rob and Lydia's.  They let us crash on their couch and we got to hear some of their experiences of serving in Mexico.  As a bonus she taught me to make the best grilled sandwich I've ever had!

Thanks for joining us Rob and Lydia! We had a blast.

Love and miss you all. Another post will be up soon! We promise.

Agape,
Em and Dane