Nativity Scenes

During the holiday season, nativity scenes abound in Mexico City. Some are as simple as a shoebox and figurines, while others, like this one in Pedregal del Lago, are elaborate masterpieces in their own right. Feliz Navidad. 

Esculpturas de Musica

Some of the sculpture work is particularly impressive. Here, these body instruments fit right in to the tone that is San Jacinto, a little bossa nova and a little bolero... 

San Jacinto reloaded

Today I stopped by San Jacinto in the Zona Sur. This plaza is always bursting with colors, traditional art and funky designs. I needed to breathe some cultura before heading back to California.  

Read This

The Festival de la Lectura is a new tradition to support literacy in Mexico City and the rest of the country. The selection is rich in history, contemporary and art.  

Festival de le Lectura

I accidentally stumbled upon the 4th annual Festival de la Lectura on Paseo de la Reforma. I was in the neighborhood to pick up my North Face jacket since I will be skiing over winter break in Big Bear, California.

I was very impressed with the selection of books and the level of specialty that the vendors mastered. This festival is from Dec 11 through the 19. It is on Paseo de la Reforma between the Angel monument and the Diana la Cazadora fountain.

This festival is indicative of how Mexico City is full of sorpresas.

Not A Black & White World

This is one of the many formal entrances to the center square in Coyoacan. The colorful nature of the items sold at this open air mercado is worth the trip alone. The weather in Mexico City is genuinely temperate and on a great day, Coyoacan is the place to be.  

Fountain of Vida

This is the Coyoacan fountain in the center of the main square. Coyoacan is a nahuatl word that represents the influence coyotes had on the description given by indigenous tribes to this part of the city. Today, the fountain is the centerpiece of an ongoing tradition that celebrates life through food, art and community.  

Domingos en Coyoacan

Coyoacan is an oasis in Mexico City. As a result, Coyoacan is a popular destination on Sunday afternoons for many chilangos (as Mexico City residents are known to the outside world). Coyoacan is an old town square with various plazas, a church, a fountain and a kiosko. The plazas are crowded with merchants, tourists and pedestrian traffic.

The plaza periphery is anchored by traditional restaurants and cantinas. Street vendors hawk their snacks, t-shirts and souvenirs to the onslaught of pedestrians inching their way from one corridor to the next.

Sundays are enjoyable because one can enjoy a nice breakfast, some pleasant people watching, and a little browsing through authentic and pathetic street vendor merchandise.

Rising Above It All

On a lucky Sunday, you may even encounter a carnival in Coyoacan. As you can see, some visitors find interesting ways to rise above it all on their visit to this refreshing and jewel of a place in Mexico City.  

Superheroes Need Breaks Too

Even Scooby Doo, Superman and Spiderman can´t get enough of Coyoacan! Coyoacan has become a center for authentic pieces of art but also a place where modern culture intermingles and fuses with the old.  

Arte en Plaza San Jacinto

Street vendors and local artisans clutter the central square as patrons lounge and enjoy the plethora of art. Visitors should start off their day with a bowl of tortilla soup in one of the many restaurants around Plaza San Jacinto and then stroll around the marketplace for some trinkets and authentic souvenirs.

Toro Gordo

Most of the local artwork sold in Plaza San Jacinto is traditional and colorful. Some of the distortions are a welcome and refreshing view of cultural practices and controversial ¨sports,¨ as is bullfighting.

Angel y La Muerte

Angel and Death enjoy a nice Saturday afternoon break in one of Plaza San Jacinto´s many vibrant sidewalks. After a long week of toil, everyone deserves a nice day under the Mexican sun.

Sabado Tarde en Plaza San Jacinto

A great place to spend a nice Saturday morning and afternoon is in Plaza San Jacinto in the Zona Sur of Mexico City. Plaza San Jacinto is located off Avenida Revolucion behind the San Angel Teatro and near the Museo del Carmen. If driving south, this is before the Eje 10, aka Rio de la Magdalena by Plaza Loreto. Metro users should take the Barranca del Muerto stop and then take a Micro bus for $2.50 mexican pesos down Avenida Revolucion. Get off the micro after the Pemex station.

Plaza San Jacinto´s unique setting resembles a small town atmosphere, allowing its patrons and visitors to experience a well-deserved escape from the hustle and bustle of metropolitan life. Visitors are strongly encouraged to drop by on Saturdays when local artisans and painters share their colorful work.

Driving Acapulco

Driving through the Acapulco hills provides a memorable view of the harbor and the open beaches.

Barcos en Agua de Descanso

Acapulco boats taking a break from the Pacific Ocean.

Into the Great Wide Blue Pacifico

Cliff diving is a major tourist attraction in Acapulco. In a place called La Quebrada, Mexican cliff divers plunge into the narrow canyon bottom and miraculously survive.

Pirates of Acapulco

Acapulco is in the state of Guerrero in southern Mexico. Acapulco was once a major trade port for the Spanish during the colonial period. During this time many trade ships arrived from Manila, the Philippines. Of course, during that same time, pirates were a force to be reckoned with and Acapulco was no exception.