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We had an epic day of seeing an authentic side of Mexico City yesterday, minus one car accident in an Uber. We are fine, but it was a bit of a thing. The rest of the day was fantastico!
We explored Dia de los Meurtos celebrations happening all over the city with our appreciation growing every stop. From community based displays of art and tributes to the Day of the Dead, to a grand offrenda in the main Square, we have a good understanding of the importance of this day to the Mexican people. It is a day (lasting a few days) that is about honouring the dead, and celebrating life. The colourful celebration is really a family gathering of food, drink and celebration with the key element of remembering their loved ones. We visited a cemetery at dusk and it felt very special and sacred. Candles lit by gravesides, fresh flowers everywhere, decorations, and families gathered remembering.
Around town people are dressed up in Catrina (female) and Catrin (male) painted faces like a skeleton, the women wearing flowers in their hair. I couldn't resist and have a few headbands coming home! Also there are freaky masks and stunning costumes, as well as kids dressed up in great creative costumes and families doing all the activities together.
Our day lead us to Xochimilco, a beautiful canal system that we rented a boat for a few hours on. It is incredible, an experience we will not soon forget. Floating on a colourful boat named "Romantico" we passed a couple hundred other boats of families celebrating, eating and drinking. A mariachi band here and there, as well as smaller boats that sell roasted corn, tacos, cervezas and crazy toys. We had our boat to ourself, and loaded up on snacks and drinks for the ride. It was beautiful and thoroughly enjoyable. Grinning from ear to ear and relaxing as you do on boats like these, I will cherish this Mexican Venice memory.
No visit to Mexico City is complete without a visit to Lucha Libre, and so to finish off the day, we went to this spectacle that will be undoubtedly the craziest and silliest event I have ever been to. Aside from the anxiety produced when my bag was searched and my camera (my prized possession) seized, In Spanish they told me something I didn't understand, gave me a ticket and sent me inside. It turns out that I could collect it safely after but it was difficult to enjoy this evening wondering what would happen. Turns out that I had nothing to fret about but it was frustrating not knowing. The Wrestling itself was pure drama, the crowd going wild for the wrestlers, their crazy athletic moves, and the shenanigans that went along with it. This is two hours of my life I won't get back.....but pass the chips!
We have tasted great food like al pastor tacos, churros and Mexican hot chocolate, taquillas which is like Mexican poutine and more. We tried pulque, a fermented agave drink as well as horchata made of rice. But my favourite drink is the Mexican coffee simmered with cinnamon and cane sugar. Oh we could keep going! The pastries, the fresh fruits and the fresh drinks, but I'll tell you one thing....Mexico gets it right!
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