Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe

 

Outside the Mexican flag, the most pervasive image found across all of Mexico has to be that of the Virgin Mary or Our Lady of Guadalupe. On my first ever visit across town to the Basílica de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe, I came across this image of the Virgin in a lovely baroque structure on the back side of the grounds called the Templo del Pocito. As the story goes, it was on the site where the old basilica was built that Juan Diego first saw the Virgin in 1531. After three subsequent visits by the Virgin, the church finally accepted Juan Diego's accounts. In the mid-18th century, the Virgin was officially declared the patron of Mexico. In the weeks to come, I'll add other images of the Virgin that I have found in my travels around the city.

 

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Pieces & Parts: Fun At The Market

Unlike north of the Border, little of the animal is wasted in Latin-American cultures. I had the unique opportunity of shopping with friends for dinner one day. After scouting around in the mercado, we finally found the perfect pig's head to take back for dinner. The señora of the household slow-cooked the head for hours until everything fell off the bones. Once this was complete, all the meat was finely chopped up and served in fresh tortillas accompanied by cilantro, onions, and salsa. The mixture of both textures ans tastes made these some of the best tacos I've had. Talk about stuffing ourselves like "piggies"!

 

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The Doors & Windows Series 3

While wandering around San Angel, I came upon this rather plain entryway framed perfectly by this flowering tree. Light, shadow, and color all seem to capture the stark, simple beauty of what so many of us enjoy about Mexico. I am set wondering about who might emerge from this door and where they will head only later to return to life behind these walls.

 

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Shamans & Aztec Dancers

Around the Catedral Metropolitana one can find "shamans" cleansing away evil spirits (for $10 MEX, of course) or troops of Aztec dancers providing great entertainment for the throngs of tourists who visit the Centro Histórico in downtown Mexico City. A visit to the Zocalo is mandatory for any number of reasons. Art and architectural reach their zenith in the urban center. For those just interested in people watching, the Zocalo offers a bit of everything from local characters to organized demonstrations. Day or night something is going on!

 

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Palacio de Bellas Artes

The Palacio de Bellas Artes

Built around 1905, the Fine Arts Museum is one of the showcase buildings in Mexico City. Located next to Alameda Central park, it houses some of the finest art found in the city. In addition, the Ballet Folclórico de México regularly performs here on Wednesdays and Sundays. From the Palacio, it's just a short walk down Madero Street to the Zocalo.

A Touch Of Modern Art In Front Of The Palacio

On Sundays after 10 am, one can visit the museum for free. Between the park, numerous museums, and its proximity to the Catedral Metropolitana and other city center sites, one can easily wile way the better part of a weekend.

Choc Mool Meets Art Decco

Inside the museum, one is treated to the mural masterpieces of Rivera, Orozco, and Siqueiros Above all of them, Rivera's Man at the Crossroads stands out. This piece was recreated after the original one commissioned for the Rockefeller Center was thoughtless destroyed due to anticapitalist themes.

 

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