Back in Mexico all by me self. The school reopenned and I had to return. As the United States now knows the flu is not as bad as first thought and the news, as always, created a panic that was not need. Honestly I feel Mexico handle the issue beautifully. Their were press conference with the people in charge and at the sign that is could be big, they exercised caution and did not create the panic that was seen in the United States. Sure some people were panicing down here, but many more remained calm in the face of the dreaded flu.
As Mexico mandated that all schools be close, church services suspended, and all non-essential government agency not come in to work, the US is merely suggesting. For the record, the idea that some government offices are non-essential is one that makes you wonder about how money is spent.
Nevertheless people are still caution. Hand sanitizer is passed out as I enter work and I most carry a large bottle for my students. Some still have mask, but there were mask wearers prior to the whole deal.By any means I am heathy and still enjoying Mexico.
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Mexico NOT a Failed State
Things are perfectly fine here!
We've been hearing from alot of our friends esp. them asking how were are doing in light of the recent'events' in Mexico. The media has been covering stories from the border regions, like Juarez city. Sure there are problems in Mexico City, like any other large metropolis, but nothing like what they are portraying in the US news. The truth is that I've seen more blatant acts of violence in New York City than here. Quick Geography lesson: Mexico city is at least 12+ hours away from the border regions. So we're far from the madness. If things were supposedly THAT bad in Mexico City, Hilary Clinton definitely wouldn't be visiting. It's been amazingly refreshing that for the first time in US history, she has let the US take partial blame for the narco-violence. Let's remember that these guns are from the US and the market for these drugs IS the US.
There was a great article in the NY Times the other day discussing Mexico's stability. Mr Krauze wrote about these topics in an eye-opening well-informed manner:
The Mexican Evolution
By ENRIQUE KRAUZE
Published: March 23, 2009
AMERICA’S distorted views can have costly consequences, especially for us in Latin America. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s trip to Mexico this week is a good time to examine the misconception that Mexico is, or is on the point of becoming, a “failed state.”
This notion appears to be increasingly widespread. The Joint Forces Command recently issued a study saying that Mexico — along with Pakistan — could be in danger of a rapid and sudden collapse. President Obama is considering sending National Guard troops to the Mexican border to stop the flow of drugs and violence into the United States. The opinion that Mexico is breaking down seems to be shared by much of the American news media, not to mention the Americans I meet by chance and who, at the first opportunity, ask me whether Mexico will “fall apart.”
It most assuredly will not. First, let’s take a quick inventory of the problems that we don’t have. Mexico is a tolerant and secular state, without the religious tensions of Pakistan or Iraq. It is an inclusive society, without the racial hatreds of the Balkans. It has no serious prospects of regional secession or disputed territories, unlike the Middle East. Guerrilla movements have never been a real threat to the state, in stark contrast to Colombia.
Most important, Mexico is a young democracy that eliminated an essentially one-party political system, controlled by the Institutional Revolutionary Party, that lasted more than 70 years. And with all its defects, the domination of the party, known as the P.R.I., never even approached the same level of virtually absolute dictatorship as that of Robert Mugabe in Zimbabwe, or even of Venezuela’s Hugo Chávez.
Mexico has demonstrated an institutional continuity unique in Latin America. To be sure, it can be argued that the P.R.I. created a collective monarchy with the electoral forms of a republic. But since 2000, when the opposition National Action Party won the presidency, power has been decentralized. There is much greater independence in the executive, legislative and judicial branches of government. An autonomous Federal Electoral Institute oversees elections and a transparency law has been passed to combat corruption. We have freedom of expression, and electoral struggles between parties of the right, center and left.
Our national institutions function. The army is (and long has been) subject to the civilian control of the president; the church continues to be a cohesive force; a powerful business class shows no desire to move to Miami. We have strong labor unions, good universities, important public enterprises and social programs that provide reasonable results.
Thanks to all this, Mexico has demonstrated an impressive capacity to overcome crises, of which we’ve had our fair share. They include the government’s repression of the student movement of 1968; a currency devaluation in 1976; an economic crisis in 1982; the threefold disaster of 1994 with the Zapatista rebel uprising, the murder of the P.R.I. candidate for president and a devastating collapse of the peso; and the serious post-election conflicts of 2006.
We have overcome these challenges and drawn meaningful lessons from them. We learned to diversify the economy and reduce the state’s financial monopolies, paving the way for the eventual Nafta agreements. Election controversies and the threat of political violence have led to a national acceptance of a peaceful and orderly transition to democracy.
Now once again, we face enormous problems. The worldwide financial crisis is intensifying our ancient dramas of poverty and inequality. But the most acute problems are the increased power and viciousness of organized crime — drug trafficking, kidnappings and extortion — and an upsurge in ordinary street crime.
This may be the most serious crisis we have faced since the 1910 Mexican Revolution and its immediate aftermath. More than 7,000 people, most of them connected to the drug trade or law enforcement, have died since January 2008. The war against criminality (and especially the drug cartels) is no conventional war. It weighs upon the whole country. It is a war without ideology, rules or a shred of nobility.
Is it a war that Mexico can win? Not through the tactics of any conventional war. But there can be progress by restricting the range of the enemy. Since taking power in 2006, President Felipe Calderón has sent more than 40,000 army troops to various Mexican states to combat drug gangs, and has had some victories in drug-related seizures and arrests. Even though Mr. Calderón enjoys a relatively high approval rating, the government has not managed to reassure the general population. Large sectors of Mexican society seem to endure these events as if they were part of a nightmare from which some morning we will awake. But it will not just disappear, and Mexicans must help fight the war by mobilizing public opinion, supplying information to the authorities and vigilantly supervising both elected and appointed officials. This kind of civic participation has already begun to yield some successes in Mexico City.
THE government, for its part, must continue the huge task of cleaning up the dark corners of its police forces, establishing an efficient intelligence network in order to keep ahead of the cartels. Mexico also needs a secure prison system that will not serve as a sanctuary where sentenced drug bosses can continue conducting their business and recruiting new criminals. It is also vital to speed up the purification of a judicial system that is slow and inefficient in its handling of serious crimes. We could use more political cooperation as well: Mr. Calderón (and his National Action Party) are now fighting this battle without significant support from the opposition parties, the P.R.I. and the Party of the Democratic Revolution.
The Mexican print media has not been entirely helpful either. Of course, freedom of press is essential for democracy. But our print media has gone beyond the necessary and legitimate communication of information by continually publishing photographs of the most atrocious aspects of the drug war, a practice that some feel verges on a pornography of violence. Press photos of horrors like decapitated heads provide free publicity for the drug cartels. This also helps advance their cause by making ordinary Mexicans feel that they are indeed part of a “failed state.”
While we bear responsibility for our problems, the caricature of Mexico being propagated in the United States only increases the despair on both sides of the Rio Grande. It is also profoundly hypocritical. America is the world’s largest market for illegal narcotics. The United States is the source for the majority of the guns used in Mexico’s drug cartel war, according to law enforcement officials on both sides of the border.
Washington should support Mexico’s war against the drug lords — first and foremost by recognizing its complexity. The Obama administration should recognize the considerable American responsibility for Mexico’s problems. Then, in keeping with equality and symmetry, the United States must reduce its drug consumption and its weapons trade to Mexico. It will be no easy task, but the United States has at least one advantage: No one thinks of it as a failed state.
Nor, for that matter, did anyone ever see Al Capone and the criminal gangs of Chicago as representative of the entire country. For Mexico as well, let’s leave caricatures where they belong, in the hands of cartoonists.
By ENRIQUE KRAUZE
Published: March 23, 2009
AMERICA’S distorted views can have costly consequences, especially for us in Latin America. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s trip to Mexico this week is a good time to examine the misconception that Mexico is, or is on the point of becoming, a “failed state.”
This notion appears to be increasingly widespread. The Joint Forces Command recently issued a study saying that Mexico — along with Pakistan — could be in danger of a rapid and sudden collapse. President Obama is considering sending National Guard troops to the Mexican border to stop the flow of drugs and violence into the United States. The opinion that Mexico is breaking down seems to be shared by much of the American news media, not to mention the Americans I meet by chance and who, at the first opportunity, ask me whether Mexico will “fall apart.”
It most assuredly will not. First, let’s take a quick inventory of the problems that we don’t have. Mexico is a tolerant and secular state, without the religious tensions of Pakistan or Iraq. It is an inclusive society, without the racial hatreds of the Balkans. It has no serious prospects of regional secession or disputed territories, unlike the Middle East. Guerrilla movements have never been a real threat to the state, in stark contrast to Colombia.
Most important, Mexico is a young democracy that eliminated an essentially one-party political system, controlled by the Institutional Revolutionary Party, that lasted more than 70 years. And with all its defects, the domination of the party, known as the P.R.I., never even approached the same level of virtually absolute dictatorship as that of Robert Mugabe in Zimbabwe, or even of Venezuela’s Hugo Chávez.
Mexico has demonstrated an institutional continuity unique in Latin America. To be sure, it can be argued that the P.R.I. created a collective monarchy with the electoral forms of a republic. But since 2000, when the opposition National Action Party won the presidency, power has been decentralized. There is much greater independence in the executive, legislative and judicial branches of government. An autonomous Federal Electoral Institute oversees elections and a transparency law has been passed to combat corruption. We have freedom of expression, and electoral struggles between parties of the right, center and left.
Our national institutions function. The army is (and long has been) subject to the civilian control of the president; the church continues to be a cohesive force; a powerful business class shows no desire to move to Miami. We have strong labor unions, good universities, important public enterprises and social programs that provide reasonable results.
Thanks to all this, Mexico has demonstrated an impressive capacity to overcome crises, of which we’ve had our fair share. They include the government’s repression of the student movement of 1968; a currency devaluation in 1976; an economic crisis in 1982; the threefold disaster of 1994 with the Zapatista rebel uprising, the murder of the P.R.I. candidate for president and a devastating collapse of the peso; and the serious post-election conflicts of 2006.
We have overcome these challenges and drawn meaningful lessons from them. We learned to diversify the economy and reduce the state’s financial monopolies, paving the way for the eventual Nafta agreements. Election controversies and the threat of political violence have led to a national acceptance of a peaceful and orderly transition to democracy.
Now once again, we face enormous problems. The worldwide financial crisis is intensifying our ancient dramas of poverty and inequality. But the most acute problems are the increased power and viciousness of organized crime — drug trafficking, kidnappings and extortion — and an upsurge in ordinary street crime.
This may be the most serious crisis we have faced since the 1910 Mexican Revolution and its immediate aftermath. More than 7,000 people, most of them connected to the drug trade or law enforcement, have died since January 2008. The war against criminality (and especially the drug cartels) is no conventional war. It weighs upon the whole country. It is a war without ideology, rules or a shred of nobility.
Is it a war that Mexico can win? Not through the tactics of any conventional war. But there can be progress by restricting the range of the enemy. Since taking power in 2006, President Felipe Calderón has sent more than 40,000 army troops to various Mexican states to combat drug gangs, and has had some victories in drug-related seizures and arrests. Even though Mr. Calderón enjoys a relatively high approval rating, the government has not managed to reassure the general population. Large sectors of Mexican society seem to endure these events as if they were part of a nightmare from which some morning we will awake. But it will not just disappear, and Mexicans must help fight the war by mobilizing public opinion, supplying information to the authorities and vigilantly supervising both elected and appointed officials. This kind of civic participation has already begun to yield some successes in Mexico City.
THE government, for its part, must continue the huge task of cleaning up the dark corners of its police forces, establishing an efficient intelligence network in order to keep ahead of the cartels. Mexico also needs a secure prison system that will not serve as a sanctuary where sentenced drug bosses can continue conducting their business and recruiting new criminals. It is also vital to speed up the purification of a judicial system that is slow and inefficient in its handling of serious crimes. We could use more political cooperation as well: Mr. Calderón (and his National Action Party) are now fighting this battle without significant support from the opposition parties, the P.R.I. and the Party of the Democratic Revolution.
The Mexican print media has not been entirely helpful either. Of course, freedom of press is essential for democracy. But our print media has gone beyond the necessary and legitimate communication of information by continually publishing photographs of the most atrocious aspects of the drug war, a practice that some feel verges on a pornography of violence. Press photos of horrors like decapitated heads provide free publicity for the drug cartels. This also helps advance their cause by making ordinary Mexicans feel that they are indeed part of a “failed state.”
While we bear responsibility for our problems, the caricature of Mexico being propagated in the United States only increases the despair on both sides of the Rio Grande. It is also profoundly hypocritical. America is the world’s largest market for illegal narcotics. The United States is the source for the majority of the guns used in Mexico’s drug cartel war, according to law enforcement officials on both sides of the border.
Washington should support Mexico’s war against the drug lords — first and foremost by recognizing its complexity. The Obama administration should recognize the considerable American responsibility for Mexico’s problems. Then, in keeping with equality and symmetry, the United States must reduce its drug consumption and its weapons trade to Mexico. It will be no easy task, but the United States has at least one advantage: No one thinks of it as a failed state.
Nor, for that matter, did anyone ever see Al Capone and the criminal gangs of Chicago as representative of the entire country. For Mexico as well, let’s leave caricatures where they belong, in the hands of cartoonists.
Friday, March 20, 2009
German Flea Market
We were invited to the German Ambassador's house for a flea market. This sunny day we ventured to Bosques de Chapultepec, an affluent neighborhood off of Reforma, heading out of the city. We figured it had been a while since we had German cerveza so why not? His house was amazing and had a huge outdoor garden/lawn. We browsed the articles for sale and enjoyed the nice day. They were selling German beer and weinerschnitzel. Dang the fact that I had given up meat for Lent! I found a questionable alternative of a salted fish baguette. It didn't look too appetizing but it was actually Fahrverg-fishy deliciousness!
Sunday, March 8, 2009
World Baseball Classic
We learned that the 2009 World Baseball Classic was taking place in Mexico City. It was a bit last minute but the tix were so cheap we had to buy some. We made our way to Foro Sol which is the baseball stadium here in the city--about a 15 minute cab ride. Our ticket purchase bought us tix to a double header: Cuba vs. South Africa then Mexico vs. Australia. Our seats were on the tippy top level and nosebleeds, but it was behind homeplate so we had a great view. The elated Cuban fan next to Luc quickly became his new best friend. Meanwhile, I was praying that I didn't have to go to the bathroom. The stairs in this stadium were sooo steep! and there were another set of stairs to get down. I've never seen so many people huffing and puffing to get to their seats! We all watched both games drinking Tecate and eating Mexican food. Attending a Mexican sporting event is SO different than anything else in the world. We even witnessed a man playing his own trumpet to cheer on Cuba. At the end of the day we were exhausted and baseballed out.
BTW: Mexico lost 17-7 to Australia. Booooooo!
Sunday, March 1, 2009
Transcontinental Bike Ride
Today we wanted to participate in a city bike ride. This guy (not too sure who he is exactly)Felipe Cervantes was doing a bike ride from Argentina to Mexico City. The city was hosting a huge celebration in collaboration with a bike ride to accompany him on his last few miles. A great thing about the city is that they have bike kiosks where you can rent a bike for free. This morning Luc and I got in line to rent our bikes for the ride. After waiting over an hour we got to the front of the line and were told we needed our passports to rent. YIKES! Instead, we decided to head down to Reforma to take part in the post race celebrations. They gave out free t-shirts and put on a concert near the Angel of Independence. Even though we were sans bikes we still had a great day!
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Ash Miercoles
Experiencing Ash Wednesday in Mexico was so unique. As you walk on the street, person after person had ashes on their forehead. I expected to attend a special AW mass but instead there was a priest at the front of the local church giving ashes. I wondered if he just stood there all day waiting. And the answer was yes...he didn't really have any downtime. I've never seen so many people pour into a church for ashes.
Also, instead of making the ashes in the sign of the cross, there was a nifty stamp he used. Very chic!
Saturday, February 21, 2009
Running on Empty...Streets
We thought the street was especially quiet this morning. The city blocked off our street for a road race! Luc practically got up and started running with them. It's funny waking up to new sights every day...
Saturday, February 14, 2009
Besame Mucho
There has been a campaign around town called "Besame Mucho"--just like the song. Evidently, on Valentine's Day, the city will attempt to break the Guinness World Record of most people kissing simultaneously. Event planners did this to make a statement against violence in Mexico and to send a message to lawmakers who have suggested banning kissing in the Zocalo.
We made it to the Zocalo--although a little late-- to see what was going on. We entered the huge mass but realized there was really nothing going on. Either we already missed it, or it hadn't happened yet.
So it was the latter, and the big official kiss took place at 6pm. Mexico City now holds the record! I don't think our entrance counted, but we were there. And that's more than alot can say!
We made it to the Zocalo--although a little late-- to see what was going on. We entered the huge mass but realized there was really nothing going on. Either we already missed it, or it hadn't happened yet.
So it was the latter, and the big official kiss took place at 6pm. Mexico City now holds the record! I don't think our entrance counted, but we were there. And that's more than alot can say!
Friday, February 13, 2009
Back to the Pyramids
This will make my third trip to the Pyramids. Soon I will be giving my own tours, but for now we left Turibus in charge of the tour. Taking a day off from work on Friday, I head with my parents to the bus.
They took us to the Basilica de Guadalupe like before. My mother was very excited about seeing that site as well. We headed north on the bus passing various site, the public square where you can hire a mariachi band. Soon we step off the bus and into the Basilica. This time there were fewer people. Although we did witness pilgrims, both on their knees and feet entering the holy site. It was nice to return and experience the Basilica without the crowd that was there when Rebecca and I first visited. Then it was just weeks before Lady of Guadalupe Day. After a prayer and several pictures we returned for the rest of our bus ride.
The bus took us to that spot mention before in the blog that shows the uses of the agave plant and how they hand make silver jewelry. My mom was most fascinated by the sewing needle made from the agave. Then there was the tequila, mescal, and pulque (beer like drink from the agave, very sweet) that we all enjoyed. After a few purchases in the gift spot, Valentine’s Day was not far, we return to the bus.
This time we started at the other end. We enter the opened area below the Pyramid of the Moon. This prompted us to climb the first tear of Pyramid of the Moon, which I had not climbed yet. We rest up there and took pictures. Walking towards the Pyramids of the Sun, the one you can climb to the very top I was unsure if my parents would want to hike another man made mountain. We got there and they want to give it a try. So up the Pyramid of the Sun yet again. With the occasionally break, we made to the top. It was great to show them the view that was atop. No matter how many times I visit this site I am always in awe of this view.
They took us to the Basilica de Guadalupe like before. My mother was very excited about seeing that site as well. We headed north on the bus passing various site, the public square where you can hire a mariachi band. Soon we step off the bus and into the Basilica. This time there were fewer people. Although we did witness pilgrims, both on their knees and feet entering the holy site. It was nice to return and experience the Basilica without the crowd that was there when Rebecca and I first visited. Then it was just weeks before Lady of Guadalupe Day. After a prayer and several pictures we returned for the rest of our bus ride.
The bus took us to that spot mention before in the blog that shows the uses of the agave plant and how they hand make silver jewelry. My mom was most fascinated by the sewing needle made from the agave. Then there was the tequila, mescal, and pulque (beer like drink from the agave, very sweet) that we all enjoyed. After a few purchases in the gift spot, Valentine’s Day was not far, we return to the bus.
This time we started at the other end. We enter the opened area below the Pyramid of the Moon. This prompted us to climb the first tear of Pyramid of the Moon, which I had not climbed yet. We rest up there and took pictures. Walking towards the Pyramids of the Sun, the one you can climb to the very top I was unsure if my parents would want to hike another man made mountain. We got there and they want to give it a try. So up the Pyramid of the Sun yet again. With the occasionally break, we made to the top. It was great to show them the view that was atop. No matter how many times I visit this site I am always in awe of this view.
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
I am 29
Definately the warmest birthday I have ever had. After work I got home to Rebecca and my parents. We figured out that this was the first time my parents had seen me on my actual birthday since I turned 21. They came up to North Adams then, and we had dinner with my roommates.
I was in Albany for 22, and Beckenridge, CO for 23, my parents visited the following month. 24 happened in VT, while 25 and 26 must have been in Somerville. I distinctly remember 27 was in Boston Habor on a tug with just the captain, I had a good send off earlier those at Isabel and Dan place during the Superbowl. 28 I was in Boston. Sometimes I need to do that just to keep track.
They all decided to take me out to an Argentinian restraurant that Rebecca and I had been to once before. The restaurant was a little bit away and my parents experienced the Mexico City traffic. The restaurant is on Insurgentes, which is about five miles away from us. The cab ride however felt a lot further.
The night was great with a bottle of Malbec, which is a lot cheaper down here, the best steaks in the city, and coffee drinks prepared right beside your table with fire. Nothing like watching whiskey burn and heat the coffee that is add. I am very thankful to say 29 was in Mexico.
Traffic was better on the return trip. Once home we had some ice cream cake and presents. Chocolate cake with mint ice cream rolled in it and presented as a train, Rebecca finds the best stuff.
Thank you to all.
I was in Albany for 22, and Beckenridge, CO for 23, my parents visited the following month. 24 happened in VT, while 25 and 26 must have been in Somerville. I distinctly remember 27 was in Boston Habor on a tug with just the captain, I had a good send off earlier those at Isabel and Dan place during the Superbowl. 28 I was in Boston. Sometimes I need to do that just to keep track.
They all decided to take me out to an Argentinian restraurant that Rebecca and I had been to once before. The restaurant was a little bit away and my parents experienced the Mexico City traffic. The restaurant is on Insurgentes, which is about five miles away from us. The cab ride however felt a lot further.
The night was great with a bottle of Malbec, which is a lot cheaper down here, the best steaks in the city, and coffee drinks prepared right beside your table with fire. Nothing like watching whiskey burn and heat the coffee that is add. I am very thankful to say 29 was in Mexico.
Traffic was better on the return trip. Once home we had some ice cream cake and presents. Chocolate cake with mint ice cream rolled in it and presented as a train, Rebecca finds the best stuff.
Thank you to all.
Monday, February 9, 2009
Thirsty in Mexico City
...I am thirsty no more. There is a God!
Besides the airport vending machines, I haven't been able to find Vitamin Water. It's been frustrating b/c I've seen trucks bounding all around the city. Alas, I found a small cafe in Polanco that sells it. It's WAY overpriced but SO worth it. I treated myself to a bottle.
Saturday, February 7, 2009
Flagless in the Zocalo
Luc's parents arrived yesterday and we wanted to show them the historic center of town. Today we went to the Zocalo. Apparently, there was a military exercise going on where they took the flag down. It was such an experience. First, to see the military procedure and second to see the empty flagpole in the Zocalo. More importantly, it was amazing that the flag NEVER touched the ground. We were really fortunate to witness the event!
Friday, February 6, 2009
My Parents arrive
My parents arrived tonight and it was great to see them. This was their first time in Mexico. Well, definitely my mom first time. My father on the other hand had worked in Belize and Guatemala, and there is a possibility that he crossed the border, unknowingly, when there. However it is their first night in D.F., and we plan to show them as much as possible. (And what is a trip to Mexico without a Don Quixote photo op)We got back to the house and gave them a tour, showing them all the work we had accomplished. Just since Matto’s visit a lot had been done. Mom was excited to see the city. Having taught geography and covered Mexico all the landmarks we were going to see, to her had just been a caption in a textbook. Now her memory will have to make room for the really thing. All that is for tomorrow, after a few cervezas and some salsa Rebecca prepare (who can resist that salsa) my parents long day of traveling ended.
Monday, February 2, 2009
Candeleria Day
Tamales!
Since there was no planning for a party on Luc's end, we decided to hit up a tamale spot nearby.
We tasted different kinds--chicken, beef, cheese, and those wrapped in corn husks and banana leaves. It was great and super cheap. Not a bad way to spend the evening.
Won't you be my neighbor?
Since we arrived, we've endured hours of endless banging and noise from next door. (8am to 6 pm--even on weekends!) From what we could tell they gutted out the apartments next door and were renovating. We didn't know if it would end up as business or residential space. The other day the mystery was solved. Workers put up a 7-Eleven sign up on both sides of the street. While having a convenience store next door will be...well....convenient, it might just end up as a nuisance. There might be more trash on our sidewalks and vagabonds hanging around at all hours of the night. On the other hand, who loves 7-11 more than cops? If the po-po are around more it might bode well for neighborhood security. I'd be more forgiving if Mexican 7-11s had Slurpees (cherry coke slurpee...a great cure for a hangover), but they're extinct here. More to come when they have their grand opening!
Saturday, January 31, 2009
Peseros
I've always been more of a bus person than a subway person. In Mexico, the same goes. We have peseros (rides used to cost one peso) here or microbuses simply called "micros" which are small green and white buses. Now it costs about 3-4.50 pesos depending on your distance of travel. Seats are low to the ground and hold about 20 people. They're not government run, which is why there has been alot in the news about corruption and drivers over-charging passengers. It also explains why each one is like a snowflake...original. Some are pimped out with rims and race stripes. At night, some blast music and turn on black lights. Very reminiscent of my freshman college dorm room.
I find it amazing how smoothly the drivers handle those things w/a standard transmission, no power steering, collect fares, AND give change. Alot of Americans can't even drive stick!!!
We rode the bus early this am and thought it was a great photo op.
Friday, January 23, 2009
Coolest Cab in Mexico
On my way to run errands, I saw this cab at a "sitio" or cab stand. It's my favorite. Cabs here run the gammet from green VW bugs (we don't take these for fear of never being seen again) to Nissan Tsurus (a bit smaller than a Sentra). They're slowly phasing in hybrid taxis, but these are few and far between. Eveen the streets are full of exciting sights!
Monday, January 12, 2009
Mexican Haircut
When I left Boston my hair was ridiculously short. I had just donated 10 inches of hair to Pantene Beautiful Lengths for the second time and had the BEST haircut from a Japanese stylist at Takimishi in NYC. Since coming to Mexico my hair has become overgrown and I needed a trim. While replacing the battery in my watch, I decided to multi-task and get a cut at the Liverpool Salon. Liverpool is a chain department store throughout Mexico. It's down the street from our house and so convenient. Anyhow, the stylist Rosie was cold at first then warmed up to me. She was confused as to where I was from. It perplexed her that I decided to move from the US to Mexico City. But she said I made her proud that I thought that immigration laws need to change. And that I don't feel as though Mexicans are stealing jobs from Americans. At any rate, she was helpful in telling me where I can obtain copies of my parents birth certificates for dual citizenship. I was distracted, but was beginning to notice her unique way of cutting, similar to Edward Scissorhands. Basically she went crazy w/the razor. When it came time to put in styling products, she took a glob of gel and spiked up the back of my hair, like many young Mexican men style their coifs. Definitely no sign of a hair straightener. While in Mexico, right? It was worth the laugh and I had to take a picture. Very reminiscent of Flock of Seagulls. Ha!
Saturday, January 10, 2009
La Merced Market
This Saturday we thought we'd check out Mercado de la Merced. It's one of the largest wholesale markets in Mexico and covers an entire city block. We took the metro there and as soon as you came out, you've entered the market. Immediately, we stopped to check out a curious man w/a moving burlap sack. Turns out it was a snake! We've seen some pretty amazing sights here in Mexico!
In the market itself, it was chaos. People we walking in all directions and there were stands filled w/clothes, shoes, fruits, vegetables, meat, dairy, and everyday items. I would have disrupted the flow of traffic if I attempted to take a picture of the madness. But I managed to get a snapshot of an empty aisle of miscellaneous goods. We picked up 1 or 2 things we needed for the house and went on our way.The tourbooks say to beware of walking around the surrounding streets. I guess we learned that the hard way. We wanted to take a shortcut back to the main street and found an empty alleyway. When we came closer, I thought it was weird that the whole street was deserted except for a snaking line of anxious men. There were a few scantily clad women milling about in their clear heels. Aha! Once I figured it out I whispered to Luc NOT to make eye contact...we're walking in the middle of a brothel! It seemed like we walked down that alley for an hour but in reality it was over in a flash. I was just glad no one heckled us unsuspecting souls. Phew!
Castillo de Chapultepec
It was a miracle. Sixth times a charm! We made it to Chapultepec Castle without a hitch. Definitely worth the wait, it was the most spectacular sight so far. Located on the top of the hill, the vantage point of the castle was breathtaking. You have almost a 360 degree view of the entire city. Inside, there were mini-museums exhibiting Mexican art and royal heirlooms. Luc has done an excellent blog on the background of the castle already so I'm not even going there! The pictures speak for themselves!
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Día de los Reyes Magos
Three Kings Day is also known as the Epiphany and falls on January 6th. You know...the 12 days of Christmas?! Well, in Mexican tradition, the eve of January 6th children leave their shoes out for gifts the 3 Wise Men will bring them. Later that day a Rosca de Reyes will be eaten with Mexican hot chocolate. The rosca is a bread type pastry made in the shape of a ring. It's made with orange blossom water, butter and candied fruit. Inside, is a doll that represents the baby Jesus. Whoever gets the doll in their slice of bread must throw a party on February 2, "Candelaria Day," with tamales and atole (a hot sweet drink thickened with corn flour) to their guests. Luc was lucky enough to find the plastic baby Jesus and I can't wait for our tamale party!
Interlomas Centro Comercial:VIP Theater
On our movie nights we noticed there were VIP tickets that you could buy at the theater. The last time we went, I asked exactly what it was. Apparently, you can buy tickets in advance, reserve your leather recliner chair and have waiter service during the movie. Oh yeah, you can buy beer and cocktails too. Our curiousity was killing us and we decided to visit one of the VIP theaters. It looked like most of them were on the outskirts of the city, but the one in Interlomas would be the closest. Unfortunately, it was a bad movie week and the only watchable movie was 'Australia'. We have to remember that it was in the name of the VIP theater.
For those that don't know, Interlomas is a neighborhood in the Las Lomas area of the city. In the past 10 years Interlomas has exploded into a giant upscale neighborhood. To me, the reputation has surpassed Polanco as being the "it" spot to live. It has a more suburban feeling to it and is comprised of gigantic mansions as well as mid size houses. Many of the housing complexes are behind security gates. The only way to reach Interlomas by public transportation is bus, as there is no subway stop nearby. It caters to alot of expat families whose head of the household most likely works in the nearby Santa Fe business district.
We decided to take a cab there since we didn't know how to navigate by bus. If it's any indication, even the cab driver had no idea how to get to the mall. After about a harried 30 minutes later, we arrived at the Interlomas Centro Comercial. It was a blend of a shopping center and a mall. After finding the movie theater on the roof, we bought our tickets and picked our seats. As opposed to the regular movie tickets that are about $5 (USD), these VIP seats were about $10 (USD). We were early so we walked around for a bit.
When it was time for the movie, we stopped by the concession stand and the bar for some grub. When we walked in, it was amazing!! The theater was spotless, the leather seats reclined, and there were small tables with cupholders. This was the most comfortable environment to watch a movie aside from my living room couch. And it made watching 'Australia' that much more bearable!
Thursday, January 1, 2009
Monument of the Revolution
It was another bust during this New Year's week. We planned on taking Matt to the Templo Mayor Museum and the National Palace in the Zocalo. Surprise, surprise...they were both closed. Instead we walked around, Matt bought some souveneirs, and decided to head to the Monument of the Revolution. We were in luck because there was a street fair going on and we couldn't get enough! But this was no ordinary street fair...it had everything from cotton candy, shooting games (with a stuffed giant ape that shot water onto the crowd) to picture taking with real eagles! Prizes for some of these games included stuffed animals, games, and even baby rabbits. Luc even won a Snoopy piggybank for winning a dart balloon game. There were outdoor bars that served every drink under the sun. The funniest part was when the bartender served Luc's drink in a glass shaped like an ass...pretty ass-tastic! Later we went to the Nikko Hotel for Matt's last night out. We'll miss you Matto! Diablos!
Happy New Year!
Happy New Year!
It's been a while since we've blogged but it's been a busy Christmas season. Baja was a great time. Luc forgot to pack the camera battery so we don't have pics to post:( As soon as the pics are developed the old fashioned way we'll scan them to the blog. Luc's friend Matt arrived in Mexico City on Monday and we've been touring the city like crazy. We miss our friends and family over these holidays but having a familiar face here has been therapeutic!
New Year's resolution: to be a better blogger!
It's been a while since we've blogged but it's been a busy Christmas season. Baja was a great time. Luc forgot to pack the camera battery so we don't have pics to post:( As soon as the pics are developed the old fashioned way we'll scan them to the blog. Luc's friend Matt arrived in Mexico City on Monday and we've been touring the city like crazy. We miss our friends and family over these holidays but having a familiar face here has been therapeutic!
New Year's resolution: to be a better blogger!
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