This is the first time we’ve ever seen the Zócalo empty. Every other time we’ve been here there has been some huge installation. It’s nice when it is like this, with people going in every direction, clear views of all the buildings surrounding it, and the huge Mexican flag flying in the middle.
After weeks and weeks Ouest finally lost her last loose tooth (the bottom left). It was hanging on by a thread forever, but she wasn’t down with letting me give it a yank, preferring instead that nature take its course. It’ll be nice watching her eat like a normal person again, instead of shoving everything all the way back on the opposite side, smearing her food all over her cheek.
With twenty-some-million people there seems to always be something to march about. Fraud is a popular theme.
They figured they would either need a mannequin that was seventeen-feet tall, or a hula-hoop.
This street was mayhem—sellers crowded the sidewalks with their wares, all of which were in the five to ten peso range. One person would have a small tarp with fifty pairs of generic scissors, another would have a tarp with nothing but headbands, another would be boxes of crayons. We wound our way through the crowd until we heard a series of loud whistles. Immediately the tarps full of junk were scooped up into a bundle and the sellers walked with them casually into the nearest store. The whistling came from lookouts whose job was to spot the cops before the cops spotted them. Apparently this is illegal here—though throughout the rest of the city (and country) there is no problem with it. It was pretty crazy to see just how quickly the sidewalks cleared out.
Diego Rivera murals at the National Palace.
Mexico City parking cops are hard core. They roll down the streets until they spot a car—often with the driver sitting in his seat with the engine idling—stop, jump out and run up to the car with their tire lock in place. Without any hesitation they slide it around the tire, preventing a getaway, then lock it up while the owner jumps out yelling at them. We even saw one lady partially run over a cops arm while trying to get away with the cop underneath the car. Things did not go well for her, though miraculously she didn’t end up in handcuffs.
My current favorite hole-in-the-wall taco joint. That pan has a raised middle where the tortillas are heated, while half a dozen different meats simmer in their juices around the outside edge.
Longaniza and pastor tacos. Nine pesos each.
12 Comments on “The Zócalo”
all the years I have been following your adventures I think this is the first time I have seen Ali’s tongue…..:)
Yum…The tacos look delicious!! Love the photos, especially the mural and the black and white.
The taco’s look delicious! Great pictures. Awesome lighting.
Mark and Cindy
The tacos are always delicious. Half the fun though is just watching these guys throw them together. They must have made a million tacos in their life.
Loved the picture of the cold mug of stout and Mexican craft beer bottles, cerveza artesenal. I’m currently visiting Mazatlan and am from San Diego. I have yet to find any cerveza artesenal here in Mazatlan. Where in DF did you find that bar?
Can’t think of the name, but it is directly behind the Cathedral. We were going to go to a photography museum back there, but it was closed for a show or something. This bar was next door. Next best thing.
oh, I love this post.
Okay, I love all your posts, but I really love this one, just because it’s all about the everyday spectacular.
Thanks, Meriah. Right back at ya.
Other people have said it before, a coffee table book of your world-wide travel photographs would be something I’d buy. Having said that, I have no idea how you could ever pick which photos to use. There are just too many great ones.
Thanks, I would like to do that. It’s on my to-do list. But yes, there does need to be some culling. That’s the trick.
You really capture the atmosphere of the city with your photos. To a point were I can smell the food! I love your daughters smile.
I love the Diego Rivera murals!! Incredible to see. And of course all of your photos are prize winners in my book! I have had people tell us that we really know how to have fun. You beat us 100%! You and your family really, really know how to have fun! Love all your pictures!