Week Four

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Mexico City

This past week our class took a trip to Mexico City to visit about 1289758396720345 different sites important to Mexican history. While you may think I am exaggerating, I am not. The trip was a whirlwind 5 days but was totally amazing.

Unlike Oaxaca, where we are allowed to run wild through the streets, our teachers had other plans for us in North America's largest urban center. We were ushered around from one museum or historical site to the next for, easily, ten hours each day. Since I can't possibly remember everything that we learned, I am just going to make a list of some of the highlights.

Monday- the trip into the city. Surprisingly the most relaxing day. We took a bus for the 7ish hour trip between Oaxaca and DF through some of the most beautiful areas I have ever seen. The bus curved through wooded mountains and hillsides covered in hundreds of cacti. It was absolutely stunning.

Tuesday- Teotihucan. We took the bus out of the city to visit Teotihucan, a huge classic archeological site. Unlike the sites in Oaxaca, the view from on top the pyramid was a little disappointing. Instead of crip blue skys behind beautiful hills and mountains, a thick brown/purple smog covered everything in the distance.

Wednesday- Museum of Anthropology and Chapultepec Castle. The castle was absoultely stunning. Located in the center of Mexico's (larger) version of Central Park, it was an urban oasis. The site served many purposes throughout it's time- first as Moctezuma's gardens, then as Maximillian and Carlota's palace then finally as the Military Academy. When American troops invaded the site, 6 soldiers threw themselves over the walls, coverred in teh Mexican flag and have since been remebered as the Ninos Heroes.

Thursday- Sites around the Zocalo. We visited the Art Musuem, Cathedral, Post office, Mining Museum and University, Tlatleloco and the National Palace. While all the sites were fantastic, the most memorable architecturally was the post office. I would have never thought that the building where mail was being sent needed to be covered in gold leaf and bronze, but apparently that is the case. Another memorable activity was our trip to the Pulcheria later that evening. After dinner we stopped by a bar/Pulcheria near the hotel. Being the adventurous girl I am, I felt compelled to buy a mug of Pulche. Biggest mistake of the week. Pulche is fermented agave cactus juice that has a lovely greenish color. However, that is about as positive of a description I can make... Pulche also smells and tastes a bit like vomit. So that was a good use of 15 pesos.

Friday- We ended the trip with a visit to Frida Kahlo's house. Her (basically) mansion, located on teh edge of the city was a giant, colorful, magical garden. Bright blue, yellow and red walls surrounded a courtyard of exotic plants and fountains. The small museum exhibited early sketches of her's and Diego Rivera's. After leaving Mexico city, we made a quick stop in Puebla. I thought Oaxaca was a colorful city, but Puebla blew it out of the water. Easter egg colored buildings lined squares and winding streets. Tiny cafes and antique stores spilled out onto the sidewalks. It was so beautiful I am thinking I will have to head back there before leaving Mexico.

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