I debated about where to start and end the Central American leg of my journey. In the end, I started in Mexico City in mid August and I’ll end in Guatemala City in mid November. I’ve now been in DF (short for Mexico Distrito Federal) for three weeks. The first week was sightseeing and getting to know the city. For the second two weeks I’ve been doing a Spanish language course and a homestay. It’s been a great time here in DF. I did a couple of day trips (zoom in on the map to see the other spots) and I’ve done quite a bit of sightseeing around the city as well.
Templo Mayor. This temple is thought to be where the Aztecs saw their symbolic eagle, perching on a cactus with a snake in its beak. This is now the symbol of Mexico (it’s on the flag), but for the Aztecs this was the center of the universe. The Teocalli of Tenochtitlan (dated about 1400) was demolished by the Spaniards, but rediscovered by electricity workers in 1978.
The Cathedral at the Zocolo (center of town) was started in 1573.
Mexican Independence Day isn’t until September 16th, but many cities started decorating in August.
Frida Kahlo’s house where she was born, lived with her husband Diego Rivera, and later also died.
Luche Libre (Mexican Wrestling). Every second of the “competition” is scripted, but people really get into it.
What a fun night this was with some fellow students in my class; David (also my roommate at the homestay), Lisa, Andrea, and Jacob.
Mexico City Marathon
Ballet Folklorico at Auditorio Nacional
Ballet Folklorico at Auditorio Nacional
Diego Rivera Mural-Dream of a Sunday Afternoon in the Alemeda Central. It’s almost 50 feet long and in it he imagined all the people who walked in the city such as Cortes, Juarez, Porfirio Diaz, as well as his wife Frida Kahlo and himself.
Diego Rivera Mural-This one is in the Palacio National and it is one of 9 murals that depict Mexican history from the arrival of Quetzalcoatl to the post revolutionary period.
Diego Rivera Murals. This one, called Man at a Crossroads, was originally made for the Rockefellers, but they destroyed it due to it’s anti capitalist themes. Rivera recreated it in the Palacio de Belles Artes in 1934.
Bellas Artes Palace. Construction on this concert hall and arts center began in 1905, but due to construction issues and the Mexican Revolution it wasn’t completed until the 1930s.
Mayan Calendar at the Museum of Anthroplogy
2 Comments
Lesson no. 1
There is no such thing as MC -it’s DF Distrito Federal! How are you getting on? Where is your host family based?
It’s going well so far. My hostel is seconds away from the main cathedral in Col. Centro and my host family is located in Col. Condesa. This way I’ll get a taste of the two major neighborhoods.