Xochimilco

Last Saturday we spent the day in Xochimilco. Xochimilco is in the south of Mexico City. It was originally an island, Xochimilco meaning "place were flowers grow." It is now is a historic neighborhood with canals and chinampas (floating gardens) running through it. You can rent colorful boats that will take you along these canals with mariachis and vendors offering you music, food, and gifts along the way. The boats are colorful and are often named after the owner's wife or daughter. Mostly Mexican families take these boats and bring a picnic lunch along with them. You can take tours anywhere from 1 - 4 hours long depending on where you want to go. We opted for 1 hour tourist ride, because it was late in the afternoon and we weren't prepared with food for a longer 3 -4 hour ride to the Ecological preserve. We hoping to go again in a couple weeks with Don's family!



After the ride we hoped back on the metro train and walked to Museo Dolores Olmedo. Dolores Olmedo was an art collector and "good" friend of Diego Rivera. She donated her collection and this hacienda to the people of Mexico in 1994, and later died in 2002. The house and art collection are amazing. Many works of Diego Rivera and, under normal circumstances the largest collection of Frida Kahlo reside here. Unfortunately for us, Frida is visiting Europe for all of 2010. I think the Teagan and Ari's favorite part were the peacocks and the peahens with their babies? But the hairless dogs were also pretty cool too.