Monday 13 June
This morning we caught a taxi to the Zocalo, the main square of Mexico City, a vast, empty and quite ugly space which has some interesting buildings around it. We started with the cathedral. Last time I was here it was in serious danger of collapse as it was sinking into the swampy land that Mexico City is built on. They must have spent a fortune on restoration as it seemed to be in great condition on the inside and we were able to go right in and look around.
At one corner of the square is the Gran Hotel Cuidad de Mexico, a most beautiful Art Nouveau building with a stunning stained glass ceiling. We went in for a look and a had a cuppa and a piece of opera cake in the cafe.
While we were enjoying that we watched numbers of police arriving on one side of the square, forming into lines with riot shields and redirecting traffic. No sign of any protesters though. Went over to check it out but nothing of interest happening. The waiter in the cafe said that there is always some group that's unhappy and there are protests there all the time.
All the museums are closed on Mondays so we had decided this would be a good day for the hop on hop off bus. We opted for the three hour city tour and climbed up to the top deck. Thank goodness for the cooler weather here, probably mid 20s we think. The commentary was all in Spanish but we enjoyed looking at the sights. The traffic was pretty terrible towards the end of the ride and we hopped off at a shopping centre for a bite of lunch, then caught a taxi back to our hotel.
Anne has been hankering (understatement) for a banana so we asked directions to a fruit shop and eventually found one despite the girl having given us wrong directions. Crossing the road is terrifying and our plan is to watch the other people and go like mad when they go. The green pedestrian light doesn't mean much to the vehicular traffic.
Watching CNN on the TV as we write this and hearing all about the latest mass shooting in Orlando. They are playing up the terrorism and hardly mentioning guns and assault weapons. When are they going to make the connection?
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Good to have you on word again- what about draw? Sounds like an interesting place- glad you found the bananas!!
ReplyDeleteGood to have you on word again- what about draw? Sounds like an interesting place- glad you found the bananas!!
ReplyDeleteYou look as though you are REALLY enjoying that civilised coffee and cake!
ReplyDeleteAnd those coloured cars in Cuba were a treat. K
Ahhh you are looking much cooler and comfortable. I am just back from the eye specialist, you need the heart one after thrir charges for half and hour znd that was after the fridge man came for 15mins to fix my fridge. Honestly!!! But did buy a map book today, impressed eh. I need it to study where I am going in my camper. Off this frid fir Swan Hill via Kyabrm. See you soon??? Lorraine.
ReplyDeleteThe ones who have made the connection and want to do something about it are constantly stymied! Aah politicians!
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