Around the Megacity
We were very centrally located in Mexico City, only two blocks behind the cathedral.
It could be jet lag, or it could be the slight altitude of Mexico City … but we were both shattered today. All we did were a couple of walks to the cathedral and around the streets of the historic centre. Some of the places were wanted to visit were closed being Monday.
For a megacity of over 20m people, it still has a compact historical heart … lots of beautiful baroque architecture around. We started our visits with an entry into the Catedral Metropolitana.
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- Inside Catedral Metropolitana.
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- Catedral Metropolitana.
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- Inside Catedral Metropolitana.
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- A chapel altar inside Catedral Metropolitana.
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- A chapel altar inside Catedral Metropolitana.
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- Rear altar inside Catedral Metropolitana.
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- I was in awe of this massive beautiful organ. This is only one quarter of it; it had four banks of pipes.
City of Protests
Mexico City also appears to be a city of protests and protesters. Exiting Catedral Metropolitana to the adjacent Zocalo (main square) and other squares, these were filled with tents housing protesters.
The subject of their protest may be related to the government, for betterment or about industrial relations. The Zocalo floor is painted with “If Egypt can, why can’t Mexico” … referring to a revolution for a better government.
They parade around once in a while and at night they’ll even carry torches (sticks wound with cloth soaked in kerosene). Oh, it will just be like London (right now there are riots through London and the UK and many newspapers refer to “London’s Burning”).
We saw some of the unionist protests … they all seem to be left-handed! When they raise their hand up and chant in unison, no one uses their right hand.
Police watch quietly and do not interfere. This is a democracy!
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- Palacio Nacional which houses the President’s office and many other governmental functions.
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- Painted on the Zocalo pavement “If Egypt can do it, why can’t Mexico”; referring to a revolt to have a better government.
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- The Zocalo or Plaza de la Constitucion. The tents house protesters.
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- Dining at a restaurant overlooking the Zocalo and the Catedral.
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- Catedral Metropolitana from a nearby restaurant high up.
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- This is “hire-a-hubby” corner … tradesmen waiting to be hired for jobs.
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- A busy shopping street.
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- A busy shopping street.
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- Police are everywhere with flak jackets.
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- Police are everywhere with flak jackets.
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- A busy shopping street.
Plaza Garibaldi
In the evening, we organised a taxi to go to Plaza Garibaldi. It’s a lovely area full of bars, cafes, restaurants which are circulated by wandering mariachi bands. It had a lovely atmosphere.
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- Plaza Garibaldi by night is full of bars, cafes, restaurants and mariachi bands.
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- Plaza Garibaldi by night is full of bars, cafes, restaurants and mariachi bands.
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- Plaza Garibaldi by night is full of bars, cafes, restaurants and mariachi bands.
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- Plaza Garibaldi by night is full of bars, cafes, restaurants and mariachi bands.
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- Mariachi band entertaining diners in the food alley.
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- Mariachi band entertaining diners in the food alley.
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- Mariachi band entertaining diners in the food alley.
