The bus from Guanajuato to CDMX was half an hour early getting in, unusual and an auspicious beginning to my last few days in Mexico. I was happy to be back in the city, looking forward to revisiting my favourite food haunts. It was good to see Alfonso again and nice to be at Anys with warm weather. I could leave my fleece and toque packed this time. Hopped on a bike and headed first to Mercado Medellin for a few groceries after which I stopped at La Burgesa for another totally decadent chicken burger like I'd had there before. Over the next couple of days I made a few visits to my favourite museums but this turned out to be a bad time of year for museum going, the slump after Semana Santa when things are slow and the timing is good to change exhibits or do renovations. Tried the Museum of Modern Art but there was only one exhibit open, a not very good one at that. Tried the Museo Archivo de la Fotografía but it was closed for renovations. So I had to content myself with just wandering around enjoying the architecture and the street activities and food. Not onerous tasks.
The view from the rooftop cafe atop a big book store in the centro. This is a favourite haunt of mine, a place to chill with a coffee or beer and look out over the ancient Aztec ruins and colonial capital buildings and cathedral. And right across the street are my favourite tacos al pastor.
A cactus on that roof.
Obedience class
A different class
My favourite tlacoyo vendors located outside the Mercado Medellin where I do most of my shopping
And so we reach the end of the Guanajuato portion of the saga. All in all, the last couple of weeks there were not the most enjoyable what with illness and tourist hoards and I was just as glad to be moving on to Mexico City (CDMX). Here are some photos and videos of random events and sights.
Easter festivities at Templo de la Compañia de Jusús
Many people were carrying these rolled up pieces of fabric bound by thick ropes. I never did learn what they were for. Undoubtedly some sort of Easter significance.
Yes, they're everywhere.
A panorama of Guanajuato
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nCKODxqbihc
Easter festivities at the San Roque church. All of the greenery on the floats is chamomile, apparently representing the purity of Mary and the light of Christ. Most of the people who celebrated the day were carrying bunches of chamomile. I'd have love to have had the chamomile franchise that day.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8PU_mlLhljM
Sights and sounds out my window. The singing is from a group of Estudiantinos.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cSHUSTuAx1o
The gas man delivering tanks used for all heating needs: cooking, hot water, etc You can hear him calling out to alert residents that he's passing through and has gas available. These are tough guys
carrying these big, heavy tanks up the steep alleyways, all wearing a
blue denim uniform, crescent wrench in back pocket, towel over the
shoulder. Can't imagine how long their knees hold out. Every delivery person has their own distinct sound. Water deliverers have theirs (a call, usually the brand of water), the knife sharpener has his (a shrill whistle), the ice cream vendors (a little air horn) likewise.
Though I am now physically here at home in Victoria, the account of the Mexico saga is far from over. The Semana Santa festivities were still in full swing, crowds of Mexican tourists, church festivities, fireworks, floats, scores of new vendors vying for the business of the tourist crowds. In the little Plaza Baritillo nearby, a group of keyboard students from Acapulco had electronic keyboards set up and were doing a little performance. They ranged in age from maybe 7 or 8 to mid-teen and, while the music was a bit rough, they were very cute. I thought it was interesting that they played almost exclusively golden oldies rock. Beatles, Michael Jackson, etc.
