Mexico City….Eclectic, Light and Breezy

So let’s look around.

Spring is in the air on this Good Friday!  Sure, the weather is beautiful but quite surprisingly, a new element has come into the mix.  A beautiful Zen-like calm has befallen this otherwise very busy city.

It seems that Easter is Mexico’s signal to make a mass exodus somewhere and so, for the past week and well into next, Mexico City will feel like it’s ours. 

Like cherry blossom time in Japan, the jacaranda blossom here in Mexico City, is the symbol of springtime.

In fact, for the past two months, thousands of jacaranda trees have been blooming....

.......like soft purple clouds, bringing to the city......

.....a sense of colour! 

And speaking about peace and sense of colour.....

This is absolutely my favorite hotel.

Why????

It has a beautiful washroom that served me during those four days...

.......when Montezuma didn't want to let me make it home...just 5 minutes away.

An exceptionally clear day in Mexico City.

Mexico City's Volcanoes:

On a good day, atmospherically speaking, it’s a joy to be able to see..

....Volcán Popocatépetl, (Aztec for Smoking Mountain)

..and her little sister,

...Iztaccíhuatl ("Woman in White").

On a less clear day.

Towering at 5426 m and 5,230 m respectfully, these snow-capped volcanos, situated just 70 km SE of the city, lift your heart at the very sight of them.

Popocatepetl is one of Mexico's most active volcanoes, producing powerful explosions at irregular intervals and melting the glaciers that covered her. 

But on most days, it isn't possible to see either of them.

Once an Aztec marketplace, Alameda Central Park, is a green oasis...

.....with marble paths, decorative fountains and works of art.  

Created in 1592 and today, part of the Palacio de Belles Artes,......

.....it marks the beginning of the “Centro Histórico”

....and is always a favorite of ours to stroll through…

........or even cool off.

What’s a Quinceañera? 

All over Latin America, the age of 15 is a magical time for a young Latina, with huge celebrations taking place in her honour.

Although tradition marks this birthday as the transition point from childhood to young  womanhood, ......

....celebrations in today’s Mexico, differ in significance and meaning, depending on region, culture, and economic status of the young girl. 

Despite all this, one thing remains eternally constant and that’s its universal popularity.

The Soumaya Museum:  In Mexico City, the sometimes-world's richest man and telecommunications mogul, Carlos Slim opened a new museum to showcase his extensive European and Mexican art collection.

A windowless, metallic, six-story structure that seems to take the shape of a surrealist hourglass, the glimmering, and modern building has been hailed as a new landmark in Mexico's capital.

A colorful mural by Diego Rivera, they say his last, has been unwittingly been positioned in such a way.....

......that it, as one museum worker pointed out, conveniently points toward the washrooms.

The ceremony of the Voladores de Papantla:  “Volador” means flyer - he who flies. It is breathtaking to watch this 1500 year-old ancient tradition take place.

The ritual begins with four (or 5) men circling a 100-foot tall pole, while one of them, the caporal, plays eerie and mystical piece with a flute and a small drum. All four climb the pole, and position themselves on a small wooden rotating platform at the top.

In true Cirque de Soleil fashion, the caporal then stands on top of this pole,....

.....without harness, to dance while playing his flute and drum, in each of the four cardinal directions.

As the platform begins to spin, the “voladores” launch themselves off and .....

.......beginning rotating around the pole, upside down and attached only to a rope around their waist. 

All the while the caporal continues his tune.

We took a trip to Cuernavaca, the city of the eternal spring.   

The visit was fast and furious but what a beautiful place. 

We were so lucky to be able to see our friend Goyo who will be returning to Canada in a few short days. 

Here is one of his shots of the two volcanoes seen from his side of the mountains....

....shot while on his way to the swimming pool.

Wow!!

And we’ve also had some guests this week. 

Linda's Dutch second cousin, Kirsten, and her Mexican boyfriend Rodrigo.

Jennifer and Anathele, a good friend of hers from Ottawa.

And our great friend, Jeremy Hannay,over from England.

Thank you for stopping by!  See you next time.