We went to the Basilica again to show

the Harstons & park.  Supplicants approach

the railing on their knees.

 The old cathedral at the Basilica is

sinking.  With our Ipads, we calculated

about 5 degrees, from the bar in front to

the back.  It feels like you have motion sickness.

 We drove downtown to park in the

Nat'l Institute of Visual Arts...beautiful

modern..marble floors and walls.  It was packed

with people.  Long lines inside the building, going

outside clear down the blocks for tickets to

the Leonardo Exhibit

 We crossed the street down the block to

eat (after waiting in line) at the Blue Tile

Restaurant.  It is housed in a 16th Century

palace.  We ate in the ballroom.  Note the

cute costumed waitresses.  E. Harston

 We have guacamole at almost every meal

That and salsa with onions & chips...

 We climbed to the ballroom to get to

eat sooner.  

 Sister Harston is checking out the small

piniatas at our table.  The larger versions

are used at holidays.  If you knock the points

off, it means you knocked off bad habits.

 Some of the art here is exquisite.

 This is the cathedral across the street from

the Blue Tile Restaurant.

 This is the Gate Keeper--note the

beggar lady at the gate.

 Inside the cathedral, we noted the figure

holding the "Keys" in his hand.

 The nuns are selling their wares inside

the cathedral complex.

 This is the front of the very ornate cathedral

on the Mall.

 We really thought we were back in the

Philippines with this little scrawny puppy.

 Now we are truly on the Mall.

It was mobbed.  We saw characters

all along the route.  

 Note more blue-tiled walls.

 My honey!

 This is what it felt like almost all the way.

We probably walked a mile down this crowded

thoroughfare.  This was a Friday afternoon.

They say Christmastime you just don't move.

 We couldn't resist this picture.  
It is July 3, 2015

you know.

 Skeletons are everywhere...on the streets, in the

shops.  It is very different from home.

 I took these two pictures because of

the strong Spanish influence in the architecture.

 A street treat.  We do NOT eat off the street, ever!

 Another cathedral just blocks from

the last, and just a couple of blocks 
before the Nat'l Cathedral

in the Zocolo Square.

 This picture does not do justice to the street.

We went for several blocks of one jewelry store after

another.  It reminded us of Hong Kong.

 I took this picture from the doorway.  After

I took it, they were not at all happy with me.

I made a quick retreat!

 Rent-a-bike stands like we saw in Europe

 This picture is out of order.  It

shows squatters in the park

 At the end of the Mall, we came to a huge

square called the Zocolo.  It is surrounded by

many important buildings:  This is the Nat'l Palace

 On another side, we saw the Nat'l Cathedral

This was a figure of a black Christ

 The bell tower (huge) of the Nat'l Cathedral

 The ornate face of the Nat'l Cathedral

 The altar of the Nat'l Cathedral

 The living quarters of the Nat'l Palace

 Organ Grinder at the Nat'l Cathedral

 We were SOOO tired having walked 4.5 to 5

miles today, we took a Pedicab back to the

parking for our car.  It cost only 70 pesos:  about

$4.42 for 2 of us to make the trip back...so cheap

It was the ride of a lifetime.  These are flimsy little things,

and they weave in and out of buses and fast cars in cramped places.  We could easily reach out and touch the bus next to us.

 The driver pedals it.  It was sooo fun!

A farewell to the Nat'l Cathedral