Culture, culture, everywhere

     Firstly, let me apologize for my long absence from posting. I heard from some of you with concern as to my well-being. I can assure my devoted blog fans, all two of you, that I am alive and well, and living la buena vida in Mexico City.
     The last couple of months have been filled with wonderful sites, sounds, and experiences galore. Because I am Head Librarian in an International school, we celebrate many of the world's holidays, and have opportunities to see many wonderful cultural events for free right in our own back yard. For Chinese New Year, we had a dragon perform during lunch one day.

And then, for World Languages Day, we had a performance from a local group who are from an area of Mexico where they still speak some very ancient local dialects. They came in costume, and performed and sang in their native language. It really was quite wonderful.

     A little closer to home, I may have mentioned the beautiful park that is right across from our apartment. There is always something going on there, and recently we had a great concert featuring musicians from the local version of Julliard performing for National Women's Day.
     One of the cooler things we've seen was actually a sales pitch. There is a new Argentinian restaurant in the neighborhood, and we got to see some really terrific Tango dancers in the park every day for about a week promoting the restaurant. It really was cool, and we are totally sold. We will be visiting that restaurant soon.

     And finally, I don't know if this falls under culture, art, or craft, but it is completely indicative of what life is like every day here in the D.F. One day while walking through the metro station, I noticed a lot of clowns. That's right, I said clowns. Clowns in full make-up and costume. They didn't seem to be promoting or selling anything, and they weren't performing. They were just hanging out. A couple were smoking cigarettes, and some were talking to people who weren't of the clown persuasion, but mostly they were just making me smile. I hope they make you smile, too. ¡Hasta Luego!

A Holiday to Remember

     I had a wonderful holiday season. My little family came to visit, and we painted the town red, or perhaps blue would be more accurate. Just three blocks from my apartment is a beautiful old building with a corner door, and a sign "Museo de Muerta". Along the side of the building is a cement coffin. That's right, the museum of death is just a hop, skip, and...well, that seems incongruous, doesn't it? Anyway, I was dying of curiosity (I know, groan), but I saved it for family. It was amazing! We explored rituals surrounding death around the world, as well as the beauty of tombstones.
   We also took in the Frida Kahlo Casa Azul museum. I don't care what you thought you knew about Frida, there is more. She is infinitely more strange and wonderful, and beautiful in all her affectations than I could have imagined. Her pain, suffering, and resolve really are inspiring. And her art is so much more approachable when you see it in context like that. It's a must see if you ever come to the D.F. They only allow pictures of the grounds, and it is beautiful. And pictures really couldn't do justice to her house and artifacts anyway. You just have to visit in person.
  Of course we had to visit the Hard Rock. I know, but it's a family tradition, and this one really was beautiful. It is in an old mansion that was just gorgeous, and a really expensive cheeseburger and some great music and atmosphere are sometimes the perfect respite. In Mexico City they celebrate the holidays for weeks, from Guadalupe to Three Kings Day on January 6th, and it is a wonderful time to be here.
     South of the city is a Colonia call San Angel. It is an artist community, and a day spent there is really quite amazing. It was so amazing, that we accidentally spent two days there. You see, who knew there were two museums call Soumaya, and the taxi driver couldn't understand, and then there was my hand drawn map... oh, well. Never mind that now. It turned out to be a very happy accident and we enjoyed an amazing collection of sculpture by Rodin, Degas, Dali, Renoir.... truly awe inspiring.

History Comes Alive

There isn't much shade in the Centro Historico area of Mexico City. In fact, unless you are walking next to a building on the correct side to catch a shadow, or along one of the beautiful side streets, it would be more accurate to say there is no shade. If you are not careful, the sun will get you before you know it because the overwhelming nature of the centuries colliding and the beauty and majesty of the history and culture will not remind you to check your time in the sun. You can visit the archeological dig that is unearthing centuries of Aztec presence, (they still exist and worship in the square today) just steps from a gorgeous Spanish Colonial church where a present day service is in full swing, and then walk across to Palacio Nacional where they celebrate the works of both classic and modern artists alongside rooms named after the likes of Benito Juárez, and where modern day military guard the space in combat camouflage ready to fight the Narco War. Along the side streets, we chose to recover from and relive the day having a meal in a 500 year old Spanish building. Yes, the wood beams have multiple repairs from the damage inflicted by centuries of earthquakes, but it has lasted this long....and besides, it is so beautiful. A little opera from the balcony outside while you wait to enter sets to mood perfectly.

A Bookstore Discovery

It was just your ordinary Saturday. I was on my way home from getting some better pictures of the Alebrijas before they were take away to the Museo de Arte Popular (insert fabulous photos here)

when I felt a strong need for a cup of tea. I strolled into a shop that had both a steaming cup and a book displayed in the window. Eureka! This is a charming bookstore and café called El Péndulo which means 'the pendulum'. It reminds me a bit of The Tattered Cover of Denver fame for all my Colorado friends, and while I only intended on a cup of tea I was enticed by their menu to have a delicious ensalada as well. I enjoyed a terrific hour with my Kindle in the outdoor cafe. They have a very nice section of books en Inglés, but I only bought a couple of Spanish language books for my library- this time. Now that I know the way home, perhaps next time I'll try a nice glass of wine in the loft bar. ¡Salud!

By the way, can you guess which Alebrija is my favorite? She is titled, "Librotecaria", which is some sort of play, I think, on the word for librarian which is "Bibliotecaria". At any rate, she rocks, doesn't she?