Centro Nacional de las Artes

Teagan got her wish yesterday and we went to see the movie Eclipse at the cinema.
For those of you not wanting to pay to see the movie here is a nice little synopsis of the movie all played by cats by Pop Suede. Wednesdays in Mexico are two for one days at the movies. Plus we were able to find Eclipse in English with Spanish subtitles. So Teagan was a pretty happy camper.

The nearest cinema to us is CNA, which stands for Centro Nacional de las Artes. The cinema is next to a beautiful green area that house many art, dance, and music schools and theaters. We walked through the grounds and buildings while we headed home, but didn't have much time to look around, because of course it started to rain.
But here is some pictures of the kids running around on the grass and the, um... art.


Notice how the two hedges next to the two blurs that are my children resemble a bird and a face? There seems to be some kind of fondness here for cutting your hedges to look like objects? Most are cut to look like animals some just look like poodles having bad hair days.

This guys stands at the entrance to the art building. We tried to ask him directions, but he was not much of a help.




Now this one is um, really special.
My kids thought it looked like their chicken Ginger? I who was I to argue?
One of my friends noticed that there is a cord, and it must light up at night.
Wow.
I guess my only comment here is that at least it seems to promote safe sex?


Another view...


I actually like this piece a lot, because I relate to it. Some days, I would not be surprised if a bird tried to make a nest out of my hair either.

Cuicuilco

Last Tuesday we ventured over to the pyramid of Cuicuilco.
It actually wasn't a far venture, but because of our lack in understanding the world that is the Metrobus, we ended up taking a taxi.


Cuicuilco (kwee-kwil-ko) was abondoned when a nearby volcano erupted. You can still see the lava rock around the park and much of Mexico City, especially in our neighborhood. It quite spectacular the way it just jets up in some places. And it's a beautiful contracts when plants and bougainvillea grow over the black rocks.


Don reading the plaque to the girls before climbing up the pyramid. And Ari, being Ari.







One of the beautiful things about Mexico is the rich culture and history. Everywhere you look around this city there are ruins and art, where you would least expect it. Right next to the skyscrapers, there is this!!!
I think the kids could have stayed here all day. But all good things come to an end, and that end here is usually caused by the rain.

zoologico de chapultepec

Ari and her cheerful self walking through Chapultepec Park to the Zoo. Don thinks we should start a collection of Ari in beautiful place with the same gloomy face on? Right now she is complaining that her "legs are about to shatter." Oh poor, mija. As you can see, her life is quite rough.

After we all entered the zoo, which is FREE, rested, and split a soda (no high fructose corn syrup here, folks,) Ari's spirits were lifted. Then the girls heard another girl speaking English, and poof! Their new bff was established! We followed this little girl around the zoo for a while, until she had to leave.




There were also some cool animals, including a panda! We didn't get to see many animals, because we got there late (see first picture,) so another trip will have to happen soon. Here's a cute squirrel monkey, that melted our hearts.


And, ....well. I don't know if you can quite see what this male monkey is doing to this female, but he seemed to be really into it. I think it was all for show? But there was lots of girl shrieking and laughing, and some bright red faces.

It's bird, it's a plane.....

No, it's a Mexican Vampire mime in the middle of Coyoacan!!! We didn't think things could get any weirder after we expectantly went to church. But it did. We should have seen it coming after the run in with the large group of screaming clown on the way over?

I don't think that I have ever seen as many clowns or street performers ever than in the 6 weeks in D.F.? They can be a little creepy at times, but usually they are quite entertaining.

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.

La Malinche

Day 2 in Tenancingo! Hike up to La Malinche!!
This hill is very close to betts and Carlos's house, and near the top there is an ancient carving of a women. A carving like this of a women deity is a strange concept here, because most deities are men. Therefore, she is thought of as a traitor, as was "La Malinche." So that is what she is called.

Here is us parking. Our kids are pretty thrilled riding in the back of the truck!

Hiking up.






And here she is!!!
If you notice, someone recently gave her a mustache.


It's amazing to be in a city like this where there is so much history everywhere. Ruins, paintings, carvings, history wherever you look.

Tenancingo!

I'm late at posting these, but we come home to a bunch of grim news after this trip. It took me a little time to get myself out of my funk and post more. Now I have a bit of a back long. It's a bit like being constipated, huh? Which will never be a problem here in Mexico City ;)

These are picture from Tenancingo where our friends betts, Carlos, and their son Danilo live. One of the GREAT things about Mexico is their amazing bus service! Very cheap, very clean, and buses run about every 20 minutes to this little town. The down part is you are forced to watch whatever movie they decide to play. In our case, it almost cost us missing our stop. Stupid Sandra Bullocks and her lovey-dovey movies!

Tenancingo is beautiful, lush and green. Teagan actually said "Yep, I could live here."
Whoa!!! This from the girl that hates D.F. She is definitely a country girl at heart.
Here are the girl in front of betts' blackberry batch:


Betts and Carlos made us yummy blackberry aguas with these berries! Then we baked an apple pie with her apples. It was heavenly.
A couple pictures of the girls at the house, and of them loving the neighbor's dog Scrappy. He's pretty much adopted the house and the girls, as you can see why.



Also a nice hike in their neighborhood. Hiking up to some ponds that their dogs love to swim in.




And this was only our first day here!