This is the second in a set of three photo posts. Photos in this post are of various places in Mexico City.
This is a photo of the Zocalo, looking toward the Cathedral in the background. The Zocalo is the huge main square in the center of the historical district of Mexico City.
Streets surrounding the Zocalo (Shoe polisher)
Such shoe shiners were common throughout the Mexico City area.
Native dancers near the Zocalo
Dancers such as these were on both sides of the Cathedral throughout my first weekend in the city. Aparently, the street entertainers and vendors are only allowed to be here on certain days.
Native dancers near the Zocalo
Lady performing cleansing ceremony with herbs
Two ladies on the street.
Large crowd in front of the Palacio Nacional (Electrical Workers)
Truck filled with police
This is not very common, but I caught them driving by the Zocalo after the electrician’s strike.
Fun rainstorm
A huge downpour of rain in the street next to the Palacio Nacional
Natives watching the eagle land on the cactus with a snake (in the rain)
This statue represents key history for the country of Mexico. The national emblem is based on this event where Aztec warriors witnessed an eagle land on a cactus with a snake in it’s mouth. This event is said to have ocurred in the the area where the Zocalo square currently exists.
The Zocalo
Looking across the square from the Palacio Nacioinal towards the opposite corner. You can barely see the Cathedral on the right.
The Municipal Cathedral (I erroneously called it the National Cathedral in my blog)
This is the exterior of one part of the cathedral. It runs for the entire long block.
Inside the cathedral
One view of a tiny portion of the interior.
Inside the cathedral
Another inside view. This place is huge. I only took a few photos.
Inside the cathedral
Some of the ornate gold work.
Exterior of the Palacio Nacional as seen from the Zocalo.
Murals (being reconditioned) inside the Palacio Nacional
A small portion of a huge mural painted by Diego Rivera. He began painting these murals around 1910 and did not finish for thirty plus years. These murals depict the history of Mexico starting before Hernan Cortez arrived in the 1500s, right up to the 1950’s. These histories are painted through the eyes of the people, often being quite critical of the spaniards, the catholic priests, and government leaders.
Murals inside the Palacio Nacional
I had a two hour, free, one-on-one tour of these murals. My tour guide shared the fascinating stories with me. I was on information overload, trying to absorb it all. I believe this mural depicts Montezuma.
Legislature (historical) area in the Palacio Nacional
I learned on my tour that the legislature no longer meets in this building. They have newer facilities elsewhere.
Inside courtyard of the Palacio Nacional
This large courtyard is on the interior of the Palacio.
Soldier guarding the entrance to the Palacio Nacional
The tourist entrance is guarded by armed soldiers such as this one.
Sign for tenochtitlan
Tenochtitlan is the name of the original (and very large) Aztec city that existed right where the historical center now exists. Most of the ruins have been destroyed and built over with new buildings. A few of the ruins are preserved, set back in just between the palacio and the cathedral.
Ruins near the Zocalo (Tenochtitlan)
Some of the ruins of Tenochtitlan. I did not go inside or take the tour.
Street performers
These performs were performing in a small square just a few blocks from the Zocalo.
Street performers
More of the same performers.
Walking the streets near the Zocalo
Organ grinder on the street near the Zocalo
Such entertainers were common, as well as other types of musicians…
Walking the streets near the Zocalo.
Walking the streets near the Zocalo.
Runners walking near the end of the marathon, just trying to finish.
The 2009 Mexico City Marathon ended right at the center of the Zocalo. By the time I snapped this photo, these runners were simply walking to the finish line, merely hoping to finish the race. The front runners had long since passed.
Exhausted runners lying in the Zocalo
Many runners were collapsed in exhaustion, laying in a variety of places around the Zocalo. I even witnessed one laying on a stretcher being administered oxygen.
Labor union marching on the streets
This large parade of protesting electrical union workers marched by on a large street when I was exploring. I sat on the curb and watched for more than thirty minutes while thousands of them streemed by, chanting their angry slogans as they marched toward the Palacio Nacional.
Labor union marching on the streets
More of the same marchers.
Labor union marching in the streets.
Subway station
Subway train just arriving
Subway train getting ready to leave
See the standing-room-only inside?
Monument near the entrance to the Bosque De Chapultepec
Unique trash can inside the Bosque de Chapultepec
Looking up at the Castillo from within the Bosque de Chapultepec
Bosque de Chapultepec
Groundskeeper using homemade rake
Street vendors in the Bosque de Chapultepec
Beautiful large tree in the Bosque de Chapultepec
Eduardo told me to find this tree — and I did. The search was not an easy one. It is on a small island near the fountain of Don Quixote. I sat across the moat and wrote on my laptop for several hours.
View from my writing spot (the large tree is on the island)
A zoomed out view of the island. The large tree is in the middle of this island. The former shot was a zoom image from the same location.
My writing spot in Bosque de Chapultepec
This is my vantage point from where I took the pictures, and where I did my writing.
Selling thin-plastic raincoats in the Bosque de Chapultepec
A small rainstorm drove me away from my writing. These vendors took advantage of the rain to seel these thin plastic raincoats for five pesos each (about 40 cents)
Vendors keep on selling, even in the rain
Nothing stops these vendors from selling their wares … not even rain.
Group of scouts about to enter Bosque de Chapultepec
These scouts were just preparing to enter as I was leaving the park.
Walking in the rain near the entrance of Bosque de Chapultepec
One of hundreds of artifacts on display in the Castillo at the "Bosque de Chapultepec"
Shortly after entering the “Bosque de Chapultepec”, I walked up to the Castillo (castle). This is one of the thousands of artifacts on display.
Beautiful items on display in the Castillo at Chapultepec
I’m not really sure what this is, but I found it fascinating.
Carriage on display in the Castillo at Chapultepec
This carriage fascinated me.
Carriage on display in the Castillo at Chapultepec
As did this one. Both carriages are original, and seem to be right out of fairy tale stories.
Road headed East (slightly north) from Chapultepec as seen from above.
This is a view from the Castle. Eduardo tells me that this famous road is the “Masculine path” in the city of Mexico city. The march I did on Sunday from the Basilica de Guadalupe to Tlatelolco is the Feminine path.
Part of the park of Chapultepec as seen from above
Inside the Castillo at Chapultepec
This is just one of many fascinating, beautiful decorated rooms in the castle.
Part of the Castillo at Chapultepec
An exterior view of a portion of the castle
Beautiful stained glass windows in the Castillo at Chapultepec
This beautiful hallwayh of stained glass is on the second floor.
Candelabra inside the Castillo at Chapultepec
This colorful caldelabra caught my fancy.
Inner courtyard on top the Castillo at Chapultepec
This inner courtyard is beautiful. It is in the middle of the castle on the second floor.
View of city outskirts, leaving Mexico City toward Teotihuacan
This is a glimpse of a large mountain-side housing development on the way out of Mexico City as my tour bus was heading to Teotihuacan. Such housing covered hillsides for many, many miles through this area. One thing that caught my attention is that the homes are almost all grey, unpainted concrete.