Friday, January 23, 2009

Mexico City: Sightseeing Day 1

We took the subway this morning to El Centro Historico, where there are many sights to behold. Below is a picture of me with an old Spanish Cathedral. In front of that is a huge Zocalo, or square, with buildings on all sides. Looks just like a square you'd see in Brussels, Belgium.

On the other side is El Palacio Nacional, which is a beautiful government building filled with pictures from Diego Rivera.

Below is a ballroom that's in El Palacio Nacional.

Then we went outside and encountered a bunch of Aztecs dancing to the beat of a drum in full costume.
Then on to look at El Templo Mayor, which is part of the ancient Aztec civilization, smack in the middle of Mexico City.

Then we walked through crowded streets to El Palacio De Bellas Artes. Can you see me in the below picture?

After walking a billion blocks after this, searching for a spot to eat, we finally found a shaded outdoor patio where we could watch everyone go by.

Here are Chilaquiles, which was an AMAZING lunch. Fried tortillas, spicy green sauce, chicken and onions.

Finally, we rested our feet in La Parque Chapultapec, which is a gigantic park in the middle of Mexico City.


I think I've posted enough photos for the day! Right now we're taking a "siesta". It's 630pm and still sunny outside, seems like the days are so much longer here. I think the sun is now starting to go down, and it will probably be fully dark by 730pm. It feels like summer!
Tomorrow we will be taking a bus to Queretaro, where I lived for 3 months back in 2001.

5 comments:

andrea said...

Omigod! Those chilaquiles look so good! I would eat green chilaquiles where ever I went.
Hey, did you go into the Plaza Mayor's museum? It's really good.

- A - C - said...

Nice pics :-) Sounds like you're having a lot of fun there :-) enjoy the rest of your stay!

Lisa said...

Wow. I know NOTHING about Mexico City. All I've ever heard is that it's polluted. Thank you for expanding my horizons, and with murals by Diego Rivera no less!!!!
Great public art....the bicycle sculpture is wonderful. Looking forward to more!!

Contact Travis said...

fantastic, what a beautiful city. I too knew nothing about the city...only heard it was dangerous, especially for Americans.

Love all the pictures and adventures you are having...enjoy, you deserve a break!

Kristin said...

Yeah it's so funny how Americans have a negative view of this city - even I did before I explored it. We've taken the Subway, walked for hours, and NEVER have felt in danger or at risk. We have stayed in the really nice parts of town, though, but I think that is the trick for any city. Right now I am sitting in a beautiful bookstore/coffee shop, with sun streaming through the windows. Last night we ate at a wine bar just like Bricco on Queen Anne. Really a stunning place :) I'm so happy to share it with you all!