Friday, May 10, 2013

Eiffel's Influence in Mexico

By bus, the city of Cuernavaca is only about two hours away from DF. Although I had gone there to see the Rivera murals in the Palacio de Cortes (more on the murals later), I was treated as well to the sight of a gazebo designed by Gustave Eiffel (yes, the tower guy) in the middle of Jardin Juárez.

Unlike most Mexican architecture, this fin de siècle French structure at first strikes one as being geographically out of place, but amazingly at home here in downtown Cuernavaca. Located in the middle of the plaza, shops on the lower level sell fruit and sandwiches. Strolling vendors sell balloons and ice cream. Plenty of benches offer the weary traveler a relaxing spot to take a break. Several nights a week, one can come here for a concert in the park. Ah, Mexico and thank you Señor Eiffel!