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24 hours into our stay in Centro Historico in Mexico City and we are having an adventure to remember. Our little AirBnb loft is in a gorgeous building off the main pedestrian street not far from the largest square in North America. It is the vestry of an old beautiful building where the priest would stay and has a cute little chapel outside its doors with a dome painted bright sky blue. It is a garden courtyard with big tropical plants and the sky beams thru. At the moment we are listening to a massive thunder and lightning storm that is right over us and the flash is at the exact same time as the clap of thunder...we're opting to stay put for now! It's pouring now But we were lucky enough to have a warm sunny morning for a grand food tour of the 2nd largest and oldest market in Mexico City not too far from where we are. We had a wonderful guide that toured us thru this massive market tasting many treats along the way. Pork and beef Tacos, with fresh salsa & lime, squash blossom quesadillas, deep fried tamales, aqua Fresca (fresh fruit water) and mole tasting which I loved, and then came the insect tasting. Let's just say that I opted out. But Chris, as brave and adventurous as he is had all the offerings and enjoyed every protein filled bite! Next came a stop at a stand with a Cows head, steamed and salted and ready to eat. The Mexicans enjoy all parts of the animals and so we had a choice of beef brain, eyeballs, cheek or tongue. Can you guess what I had? For dessert a Mexican coffee poured over a clay pot with cinnamon and sugar. And a stop at the candy market where we have some treats to bring home...if we can resist the temptation until then! The food tour gave a glimpse into Mexico City life in a non tourists setting and locals go to market to buy their food fresh daily. It is estimated that they will eat 20 corn tortillas a day in a regular diet, but they are smaller and fresh. The fruit and vegetables looked so fresh and so cheap and beside them stands selling knockoff Nike shoes and fake flowers. You can buy all sorts of things here!
We walked thru a massive crowd on our way to the Zocalo which is the famous square. Today was the second Day of the dead parade we went too since arriving yesterday. The Procession of Catrinas last night was in the dark and rain and while we waited and then got swept up in the crowd, the unfortunate pick pocketing of Chris's wallet occurred. Luckily it was his second wallet , a decoy with a small amount of money. The Catrinas parade was a procession of dressed up skeletons with painted faces and headpieces by candlelight and it was really pretty. Today's parade was attended by a few million people and the massive crowds made it impossible to see very much. But the ninos' (children) sitting on their parents shoulders and excited for the parade was really fun to watch. Occasionally we would catch a glimpse of a large float passing by and the sounds of marching and mariachi bands made it worthwhile.
Our senses are heightened and we feel pretty overstimulated by the sounds, the crowds and the chaos of it all. But for the second largest city in the world we think it is quite well organized and civilized. Tomorrow we go to the Ancient Pyramids of Teotihuacan so the adventure continues!
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