Mexico 2019 - This and that

My friends, Michael and Cathy from Washington state came and visited Mexico City for a few days and I was happy to be their tour guide.  I met Michael some years ago in Guanajuato and we've kept in touch and see each other at least once a year.  For some reason, I didn't take any photos of them together but here's one of me and Michael.  

Despite my decision not to go back to Guanajuato after becoming disenchanted last year, I did return for a few days this year and had quite a good time.  It was good to see old friends and do some hiking in the hills.

One day I set off to downtown with a couple of specific places in mind.  One was an especially lavishly adorned church interior which turned out to be closed on that day.   But on the way I bumbled into this place:

Centro Cultural de España

The Spanish Cultural Centre promotes Spanish culture in Mexico and fosters integration with Mexican culture. Housed in another one of those beautiful colonial buildings, there are galleries and studios, a restaurant

In the basement there's even an Aztec archeological find in situ.

and a rooftop with great views.  
 

Right next door to the Spanish Cultural Center was El Colegio Nacional, a Mexican honorary academy with a strictly limited membership created by presidential decree in 1943 in order to bring together the country's foremost artists and scientists.  Yes, another gorgeous colonial building.

With art

And beautiful gardens

The ever-present Frida