Mexico City 2022

Our first stop today was to go to the pharmacy to get our Covid test that is required for re-entry into the U.S. We were negative! Then we headed to National Museum of Anthropology - it is the largest and most visited museum in Mexico. The museum contains significant artifacts from Mexico’s pre-Colombian (pre-Columbus) era. The museum is huge and we knew that we would only do a small section of the museum today. So we began with the section of the museum called “The World of Mexica.” The first thing that I learned is that Mexica also refers to Aztecs or Tenochca people. The Mexica founded its capital city, Mexico-Tenochtitlan in the year 1325 (where Mexico City is today). The origin of Mexico City is wrapped in the mystery of mythological tales. The Mexica (or Aztecs), originally from Aztlan (thought to be somewhere in northern Mexico), left on a difficult migration that lasted over 200 years. Though there are different versions of the tale, all agree the Mexica were on their way to th...

Bosque de Chapultepec in Mexico City is one of the largest city parks in the Western Hemisphere measuring just about 1700 acres. One of the main functions of the park is ecological in that it serves as Mexico City’s “lung” with many trees that replenish oxygen to the valley of Mexico. It is a large unpaved area that allows for aquifer recharge and attracts migratory birds. The area encompassing the modern day Chapultepec has been inhabited and considered a landmark since the pre-Colombian era when it became a retreat for Aztec rulers.  In the colonial period, Chapultepec Castle was built there eventually becoming the official residence of Mexican heads of state. One of the interesting monuments is the Monumento de los Niños Héros - an impressive white marble monument that honors six legendary military cadets aged 14-20 who fought to their deaths against the invading United States Marine Corps during one of the last battles of the Mexican-American War in 1847. Bosque de Chapultepec ...

In the morning, Greg and I walked back to the center of Coyoacán to the Artists’ Market.  There are so many interesting, beautiful buildings.  In the afternoon, we drove to the downtown area of Mexico City. Officially known as the Plaza de la Constitución, El Zócalo is a huge square marking the historic center of the city. Prior to the Spanish invasion, El Zócalo was the principal ceremonial site for the Aztecs. El Zócalo is the center of government which makes it a popular place for protests and political rallies.  On one side of El Zócalo is the Palacio National de México where the President of Mexico lives and works. It is also a place where many of Diego Rivera’s murals that depict the history of Mexico reside. Unfortunately, due to the pandemic, the mural area is still closed off to the public.  On another side of El Zócalo is the Catedral Metropolitana, one of the America’s oldest cathedrals.  The cathedral was built very close to the Temple Mayor which wa...