Valentine’s Day this year was celebrated in Mexico City. That’s a story for another time. How and why we are here is worthy of a post in itself . (Oh, and we still have Roma posts and other things I want to shout out about Summer, so, I’m behind!)
Our plan for today was a tour of the temples of Teoteqhon (Some might call them Pyramids) and spend the rest of the day on the Northern side of the city center, exploring.
That all went to hell when the tour bus (relatively new Volvo) broke down five minutes after we left the archeological park. We rolled back into downtown at 3:30.
Per a tip that looked solid, we ran to Sears and went to the top floor and got a cacao drink in the restaurant. There, we were greeted with a stellar view of the Palacio De Bellas Artes. As we sat on the bar rail, I snapped a cool time lapse from behind the glass window that protected my drink falling down 9 stories.
Most of the sites we wanted to see were closing at 4:30 or 5, and the rest of our afternoon was shot. We decided a long walk back to our hotel via parks and other sites would be an acceptable way wind up the afternoon.
Alameda Central is a giant city park next to the Palace of the Arts. We were sucked in by the 100’s of pop up venders selling and cooking anything and everything for masses of people coming and going. (I have never seen a deep fryer boiling oil and plantains so casually next to customers.)
At one point, we came to a conjunction of paths at the front of the park and you could hear music and see movement. Dance movement. Couples, old and not so old were dancing to traditional Mexican music. It was hypnotic. The dancers were all doing a their own thing while surrounded by large audience. We watched two dances and when the second song was over, an older man went to the DJ who was playing all the music and requested something a little more rustic. If you have ever listened to the Ry Cooder album that is the soundtrack to Buena Vista Social Club, you might know what I am talking about. This music has a feel.
The old man walked forward into the open space in front of the Dj and started dancing by himself. He wore gray pants and a maroon , patterned long sleeve shirt that was tucked in. He did not look like he had come to make a presentation., The music started… the man started dancing with himself. Arms raising and lowering while his hips turned and his legs looked like something you would have seen from Cab Calloway in his later years.
It was wonderful. We were entranced along with the rest of the crowd. Eventually, more dancers joined in. Angela said she would have stayed a few more songs, but we both knew we had lots of steps to get to the hotel.
Further into the park, I turned to Angela and said, “I cannot get over all these couples holding each other and kissing in the park”. She looked around and saw what I was talking about. Every park bench within a 100 yards of us had a young couple embraced and staring into each others eyes (or tongues touching). I am not exaggerating! Couples were even laying in the grass in full embrace. After a second, i realized, all the flowers and stuffed animals they held were because today is Valentines day.
I am 53. This is all new to me. I love that feeling of seeing something new… and you only get these kinds of moments by putting yourself out there.
I have to tell you, the last two days in this town have been very surreal. I expected urban and culture. I did not expect the trees, the architecture, the vibrant crowds moving in all directions at all hours of the day and night.
This is a very special place. We have had a few questionable moments where we said, “That would not fly in the United States”, but for the most part, who cares.
This has been a great getaway.
Now, I know I am setting myself up for disaster saying all of this. We have one more day and we are planning on using the subway. I may take back some of what I said if someone starts reaching into Angelas pockets like Roma, but really, that would be their mistake!
Buenas Noches.