Every Sunday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Paseo de la Reforma (a major route downtown) as well as many other thoroughfares are closed to car traffic with the purpose of allowing cyclists, skaters and pedestrians to move freely.
We decided to rent bikes from the regular city bike rental system Ecobici and check it out. What a great experience! We saw riders of all shapes and sizes, riding all types of bikes. There were thousands of runners, walkers, dogs walking and in strollers, it was a great vibe.
Part way along we stopped to participate in a large group of people doing a Latin dancing fitness class – so much fun!
People were cycling with speakers playing music which was for the most part great, but there was awhile when the cyclists next to us were playing screaming heavy metal. I was happy when they moved along. All in all we cycled only about 8 km. We hopped off the bikes and then walked for about 30 minutes to make our way down to the Zocalo.
On the walk we passed through Chinatown.
We also witnessed a very large march for animal rights
There is currently an art exhibition in the main square called “Nopalera en el corazón” which means “prickly pear cactus in the heart”. There are around 200 Nopal cactus forms that have been designed and painted by various artists. While Michelle and Lola took at a look at the cathedral, I wandered among the Nopales. Each was more interesting than the next. It reminded me of the moose program similar to this that we had in Canada many years ago. Here are a sampling of the range of pieces that were designed: click on them individually if you would like to zoom in on any.
The highlight of the day was meeting our Spanish teachers’s brother and sister-in-law. Kira teaches Spanish at the Bowmanville Older Adult Association and we all adore her. When she heard we were going to be in Mexico City she connected us up with her family. They came to meet us and took us to a fantastic and fancy traditional Mexican restaurant called Villa Maria.
I tried many different traditional foods I have never even heard of before. We of course had to order guacamole (my favourite) and there was the option of ordering it with a side of Chapulines (grasshoppers). They were surprisingly good.
We also tried something called Escamoles – also known as “Mexican Caviar”. It is a Mexican delicacy of edible ant larvae and pupae – also surprisingly good.
We had another appetizer called Sopes. Ours were made of blue corn masa flour made into disks with a lip and fried and then topped with crumbled cheese, refried beans, sauce, shredded lettuce and Mexican crema.
We also had tiny two-bite fish tacos with pineapple (called Tacos de Pescado al Pastor). I also had a brilliant tasting soup made from Squash Blossoms with poblano chili peppers.
The bowl was beautifully presented even before the soup was poured in.
For the finale we shared Churros with dulce de lèche and chocolate sauce AND coconut ice cream, even though we were all completely stuffed!
Kira’s brother José and his wife Ceci were so warm, generous and hospitable. We really enjoyed our time with them.
They also presented us with beautifully presented gifts which we all loved.
My Spanish is not on the same level as Michelle or Lola, but I understood most of the conversation. It was strange though for Michelle to be in a social situation where I was so much quieter than everyone else! I did try to contribute but I was focussing more on comprehension.
We didn’t get home until almost 5 so we relaxed and then I went for a walk later on to look for some reading glasses – I broke one pair and lost the other – no luck so I will push that mission to tomorrow. Now I am planning on studying for an hour or so before I go to bed. Class starts tomorrow – I am very excited!