Monday, Dec. 15, 2003 - 10:11 a.m.
Got up at 8 though the Mass I want to go to isn't until noon. Seems the Cardinal is celebrating. A controversial man because he speaks out against the corruption that still plagues the city.
had Huevos Nortenos (dried beef with scrambled eggs, pepper, refried beans and a side of peppers and onions. A cup of black tea.
I surf the net and read for awhile.
Marko takes me to the cathedral. It’s an amazing structure though it's sinking in the lake bad..visibly....
Due to where I was standing I was able to shake hands with the bishop and kiss his hand (He called me "amigo") and after words I was able to get his blessing on my head as he left.
I then went out in the Zocalo to take a look at what was there. Found the CD by Mana I wanted with the song Mariposa Tracionera that I've heard in multiple places. I already know the refrain...what a great tune!
The CD only cost me 10 pesos, (one dollar!). They have a CD player on the premises so that you can verify that the CD actually plays. The merchant pops it in...it blares out the speakers..yes we have a deal...
From there to the presidential palace to see some Diego Rivera murals and he explains them. From there to Templo Mayor. In the background you can hear bands playing and there are masses of people..EVERYWHERE! There are Christmas decorations up as well.
Marko says, "you can buy whatever you want here, anything," then we pass a taco stand, "that might kill you, 7 tacos for 5 pesos (50 cents)" Marko is a firm believer that you get what you pay for in Mexico City.
We go back to the parking garage and get the car-it's madness. It's standard procedures to make note of damage that exists on your car prior to arriving and cross checking that with how it looks after they bring it to you.
We drive back to the hotel. The city feels familiar, it's not intimidating at all.
On the way back Marko tells me about Christmas traditions. "Christmas is the most important day in Mexico, it's like Thanksgiving in the United States." Another interesting perception about their northern neighbors.
"On Christmas Eve we go to church and come back and have a dinner and sing. Then the grandmother dresses up a little doll to look like el nino, the small Christ child. She rocks it as if to make it sleep and then passes the baby to each person in the house. Thy each take turns rocking the baby to sleep." I can tell he likes the tradition.
"Christmas is very important, you have to be with family. IF you do not go to the family you will have many problems." He smirks and shakes his head, almost as if he knows by experience.
I point out that it's interesting seeing Christmas decorations but no snow.
"Ha! No snow here," he chuckles, "we only seen snow twice in my life and it was this much." and he holds his fingers imperceptibly apart.
"No Santa here," he continues, "The three Kings are very important."
We get to the hotel and day our goodbyes. He tells me how I am a very good person. I tell him the same and say he is a credit to the Mexican people.
I get in to my room and take a quick nap.
I get up and check out the area around the hotel...not a lot going on...most places are closed.
Get back to my room and read and look at the sun setting. It's ten to six and still bright out...the sun is just above the mountains. I take some pics and find that I can get much better pics from the stairwells that are the fire escapes...
I also watched some of Godzilla vs. MechaGodzilla...The lip movements of the people fit better with Mexican words than with English. It looks like it was made in Spanish, almost.
Sun gets behind the mountains about 10 after six. Off to Foculares, the restaurant Marko and a few of the hotel staff have recommended. it's in the Zona Rosa, the party zone so to speak. Alot of restaurants and clubs.
I have a corn fungus soup (AWESOME!) and mole con pollo (very interesting mole sauce, tastes almost like anise) Then had a vanilla custard for desert and finished it all off with a tequila.
Went to the hotel bar to watch the end of the Mexican Semifinals between Pachula and Atlante (Pachula won 2-1)
Watch some more soccer in my room and read , pray and hit the sack...
