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So where we ended up was pretty much all over the place. San Angel is a lovely barrio of cobble streets, uber-expensive massive homes behind thick rock walls.
The walking continued…
We decided to eat and stopped and a fancy shmansy Italian restaurant on Reforma Blvd. Wine and pasta and nighty night.
After a wonderful and much needed wine educed sleep we awoke on Friday rather early.
It’s Three Kings Day here in Mexico. It’s my mom’s birthday there in the U.S. Her favorite (and only) son called her first thing and wished her a happy three kings day. After a quick breakfast we headed towards the dark side. I wanted to find the “National Shrine of La Santisima Muerte” Loosely interpret this as “Skeleton Lady that fringe people like to worship”. I’ll spare the details on what we found. It’s how we found it that is the mystery. I’ll be brief. I printed the “all powerful – all knowing” internet map and took the proper subway route.
Wrong.
Sharon & I were planted somewhere near the old ’68 Olympic Village. That was a 50 peso cab ride from where we needed to be. In S.A. it easily would have been $50. Thank goodness for cheap cabs. We were MILES into lost. To exacerbate the situation, where we were headed was a pretty seedy area. The cab driver insisted we were “loco”.
I forgot to mention that earlier in the week we went to Mercado Sonora. After visiting La Santa Muerte in Barrio Peligroso we took another trip back to Mercado Sonora. Why? It’s creepy. It’s crowded. It’s HUGE. And it caters to the bizarre stuff I study, like witches, curanderos, Santa Muerte, etc… Need a goat? Got it. Voo Doo doll with candles? What color you want, hombre? Animal skins, snake oils, plants, herbs, tarot, bad juju, whatever; it’s the Walmart for the Occult Sciences.
An afternoon of battling for your soul makes one quite weary so we returned to the hotel for a nap.
This late afternoon and evening was a fabulous way to end this trip. Remember, it’sThree Kings Day and my Mom’s Birthday and all of Mexico wanted to celebrate. We hit a screaming loud carnival with the worlds most dangerous rides, (think bailing wire and duct tape). After a couple of hours of amazement we had dinner on the street which consisted of Parriada Mixto, (variety of meats and cheeses atop a tabletop grill, kind of). The hot sauce cures what ails you while it melts your face.
The sun has well set at this point.
We then walked to the Zocalo and spent possibly two hours there. It’s a festive attitude everywhere. Bands, balloons, massive Christmas light displays and the annual ice skating rink.
Not done yet.
We walked back toward the original carnival, passed it and found the National Monument of the Mexican Revolution. Folks, I am humbled by how magnificent this structure is. I am also an idiot for not knowing this structure existed till tonight. Indescribable, so just Google Image it.
By the time most of you read this we will be back. Have a great 2012.
I’ve been on a one week date with the coolest girl on the planet.
