Xochimilco - The Lake Minnetonka of Mexico Experience

A few weeks back (ok maybe more like a month) we joined some people from the Newcomers Club for a tour.

The first stop was Coyoacan. Coyoacan is one of the sixteen delegaciones of the Federal District as well as a former village which is now the historic center of Coyoacan. We visited the church of San Juan Bautista and took in a little music in the square while checking out the municipal buildings before heading toward the market. On the way to the market there was an important stop for Churros and coffee. We also stopped at a vendor who had a little bird who flipped pieces of paper and things over to reveal your fortune (I think that was what was happening). After a quick wander through the market we headed over to Casa Azul. Casa Azul was the house where Frida Kahlo lived. The house was turned into a museum four years after Frida Kahlo passed away.
~Coyote at the top of the municipal building.

~The Churro Shop.

~Eating the Churros.

~The fortune telling bird

~The Market

~The Garden at Casa Azul

While stopped at the lights on our way to see the 1968 Olympic Stadium and the murals on the library at the National University Matt did a quick deal with a guy selling little guitars (deal because there really was no bartering, Matt made an offer and the guy, under pressure with the lights changing, accepted) . Dylan was so happy.

~Dylan playing his new guitar.

~Outside the 1968 Olympic Stadium

~UNAM Campus Activities

~UNAM Library mosaic


Xochimilco
Another one of the sixteen delegaciones of the Federal District. The area was established on what was the southern shore of Lake Xochilmilco in the pre-Hispanic time. Xochimilco is best known for its canals, which are what are left from what was an extensive lake and canal system. The canals are a big tourist attraction with people from all over the country and the world coming to ride on colorful boats call "trajineras". Bourdain fans may have seen some of this in his Mexico City episode. Matt likened the experience to Big Island on Lake Minnetonka - lots of fun, drinking and craziness. There are vendors on little boats selling souvenirs, food, and beer. There are also boats with mariachi bands that pull up along side and play until the money stops coming.
~Tequila for the men (I guess we are in Mexico) before getting on the boat (Let the fun begin! What do you mean you aren't having a tequila Matt??)

~The "trajineras"

~A little bit of crazy on another boat.

~Corn and esquites vendor. Esquites is essentially corn kernels served in small cups with varying combinations of toppings - chili powder, mayonnaise, cheese and lime juice.

~Dylan "water skiing" on the boat.

~Isla de las munecas (Island of the Dolls). This is one of the most well known "islands" in Xochilmilco. The owner (now deceased) used to collect the bodies of dolls from the canals and rubbish tips and hang them from the branches of the trees to keep away the evil spirits and to appease the spirit of a girl he found in the canal.

~A little taste of the action...(video coming here as soon as I can work it out....)

~Post boat truck driving.