Whopper of Hamburger in Street Cafe

Very popular place--mobbed with young folks

 Mexican Independence Sept 15

 Our group at the side of the huge Belle

Artes National Theater

Harstons, Calls, Beechers

 huge book market down alley

 Bronzed Man (poses for $)

 Chess is a big deal in downtown Mexico City

Even with non-communicative partners

 Neal's lunch of broiled chicken &

white asparagas

 One of oldest churches in Mex City

Note how it is tipping...the sidewalks are

almost like waves...from the sinking

structures over a water base

 These pictures are from the Diego Rivera

Museum-Named for this large mural

which depicts, personal, political, and historical figures

from his life

 These are the central characters in the mural:

Diego is portrayed as a little boy.  His wife, Frida

Kahlo is right behind him.  He is holding hands with

Death--a pervasive figure in Mexican culture of the 

Day of the Dead (November)

 I found this couple fascinating.  He is

quite vital, but she looks so worn and tired.

She does all the sewing--see the embroidery on his

outfit.  She does almost all of the beadwork that he sells.

 Pres Call is translating the cost for me.

I bought some bracelets (see on ground)

for about $1.50 US

 These people sell their stuff on the street on a blanket.

This lady did all the sewing.  I think I paid 260 pesos

$ 17 for this handmade piano cover.  But, the

interesting thing about this encounter, is her skirt.

We see this style often, but her handwork was remarkable.

She has a t-shirt top, then a short (above the knees) pink skirt,

but under that, is this wonderfully, colorful slip.  This one

features Donald Duck and Mickey Mouse, with purple lace.

Now, we've seen it up close, we are noticing many of the ladies

have the same style--only not Disney.  By the way, Disney and the Disney princesses are ubiquitous!

 We just can't resist the darling children here.

 I asked Neal to take a picture of this

glamorous woman outside our restaurant.

She was dressed "to the 9s...spike heels and all!

 You know I hate to cook, but we all

find the food here really different.  This is

Pres Call's lunch:  stuffed green pepper covered 

with a sauce of pine nuts and pomegranats

 This man is in the middle of the park,

where he has set up his grinding business

to sharpen knives and scissors--using pedal power.

 Sorry, this is a repeat and I'm afraid

of messing up all my pictures here.  I stopped

and asked to take a picture.  I couldn't believe the

size of this burger!

 Sister Call bought this throw.  I think they

paid 300 pesos for it.  So much work.

 This large building is the Latino Americana

  Sister Call's soup

 The building on the right without the awnings

is the National Art Museum.  
We were kind of disappointed in it.  

It was all religious art and very dark in tone.  
We had hoped for more variety, 
like Impressionists or Modern art.

 This tree had such character.  It was in

the middle of the large park downtown.  One

of many, I should add.

 We are in the courtyard of 

one of the oldest churches

in Mexico City.

 Now, this is the oldest hotel in Mexico City.

It was originally built in the 1700s.  It is still

open today.  I went into one of the rooms on

ground floor.  The others went upstairs to see 2 other

rooms including the suite.  No, we didn't think we

would want to stay there, but the Calls and Harstons 

were game to.  

 Another pomegranate dish

 We were in the middle of this large city park,

and came upon this man making potato chips.

No, we did not sample.  We do not eat street food.

 This is my lunch:  1/2 pound of Red Snapper

Cost:  about $15 US.  I also had 

a malt---more like milk with ice cream.

The catsup is very spicy as is the bread.
I shared some of the fish.  
It was too much to eat, but
very, very good

 This was a very nice restaurant.

It was decorated completely in every

empty space.

 More of the restaurant.

 The crystal in the restaurant was

really beautiful--dark blue & red.

Mother would have enjoyed this.

 And here we are:  Neal, Harstons,

Calls

 Note the popular blue tiles on the wall.

We see this quite often downtown.

 I took this picture of the waiter because

of the clear, plastic mask he and other

servers were wearing.

 These are descriptions of the Diego

Rivera mural.  I can't delete them, so

we just have to live with them.

Sister Harston's lunch

This is a poor picture because we were

trying to be discreet in taking it.  We are again

in the courtyard of that old, old church.  In the corner, a

family has set up a home as squatters.  You can see

the wash hanging to kind of hide them 

from the view of others.

Another picture of this old Church.  

Can you see the tree growing out of

the tower?

This was our communal dessert.  None

of us had ever seen or tasted anything

like this.  It has honey in the bottom of

the dish.  

These items are very thin, probably fried.

It was delicious..not too sweet or greasy.

Pres Call asked a man on the street to recommend

a good place to eat.  The man then walked WITH us

down to this restaurant.  He also told us what to 

order---the stuffed green peppers (called chilis).  We were 

expecting something red with beans.  He also recommended

this dessert.  He was right on all counts...!

I don't know how to add movies to the blog.  These are pictures of the protesters downtown.

These 2 lovely ladies are cooks in the Comedor

This is the MTC Comedor

This is the Transportation Staff

Nancy (in green) and Guerillmo far right

are in our English Class.

This is the old church that is tipping

and sinking.

This is the most ornate Post Office

we have ever entered.