R & R in Mexico March 7, 2013
Posted by freda in Birmingham, Michigan.2 comments
In November, during American Thanksgiving week, we went to Mexico with good friends. Sharon and Fred (currently living in Shanghai) have a time share with Intrawest, which includes a property in Zihuatanejo, on the west coast of Mexico. They booked a three-bedroom, three-bathroom condo and we, and Diane and Julio (currently living in Mexico City), joined in for 6 glorious nights. It was a perfect relaxing week in a gorgeous location.
the view from the check-in desk
Intrawest property, like a Dr. Seuss creation!
the beach view from our balcony
and the view from the end of that beach looking back
from the pool area
the view from my lounge chair
a peaceful paradise
We spent the days walking the beach, dozing in the sun, reading and swimming, and Don and Diane had two great days of scuba diving. We had fantastic meals and many margaritas in a variety of local restaurants…
around the table: Don, Freda, Fred, Sharon, Julio and Diane
But the highlight may have been releasing one-day-old sea turtles back to the sea…
so tiny – and tickly!
GO babies! Live long and prosper.
After six wonderful and relaxing days in Zihuatanejo, we all flew to Mexico City for two days, where Diane and Julio hosted us and we did some touring.
Our first stop from the airport was the Basilica de Guadalupe, in the north of the city, the most important Roman Catholic site in Mexico and, indeed, the Americas. Every year on December 12, the day of the festival of the Virgin of Guadalupe, hundreds of thousands of people make the pilgrimage to the Basilica, to pay homage to the Virgin Mary, who, it is said, appeared to farmer Juan Diego in 1531. As well as being a Catholic icon of exceptional importance, the Dark-Skinned Virgin is also a symbol of Mexican Independence, since her image was on the standards carried by the rebel armies in the struggle for independence from Spain. The site of the Basilica consists of the original 18th Century building with its baroque facade,
Basilica de Guadalupe
as well as a modern circular basilica. The two basilicas stand perpendicular to each other in starkly contrasting styles, deliberately constructed close to the site of Juan Diego’s vision. The original basilica is built on the spot of the Virgin’s fourth and last appearance to Juan Diego, at which time, it is said, she emblazoned the famous image of the Virgin of Guadalope on to his cloak so that he could prove to the local bishop that he encountered the Holy Mother. The cloak is on show inside the new basilica, the ancient icon being Mexico’s most sacred symbol.
the modern circular basilica
emblazoned image of the Virgin of Guadelupe on the cloak
dark-skinned Virgin
the sign says it’s forbidden to sit on the stairs
a few performers on the grounds
We stopped for a quick lunch….
love the woodwork in this restaurant
And then to the Palacio National de Mexico to see Diego Rivera’s murals depicting the history of Mexico. This link gives a brief overview. Having read “The Lacuna” by Barbara Kingsolver (I think her best novel) prior to our trip, I was most anxious to see the murals. They did not disappoint.
mural panels along the hallways
one of so many panels
Diego as a baby in panel detail
Diego’s signature in the panel
beautiful arches of the building
the stairwell panels are amazing
more stairwell panels
Diego’s wife, Frida Kahlo, and her sister
the courtyard
courtyard fountains
When we exited the Palacio National, we encountered these life-sized, kind of creepy, “Catrinas”.. The “Catrina” has become an icon of the Mexican Day of the Dead, and was introduced by Mexican artist, Jose Guadalupe Posada, in a zinc drawing from the early 1900’s, showing a female skeleton wearing only a hat. She was later popularized by Diego Rivera. We saw many examples later, mostly in gift shops.
life-sized Catrinas
It was time to unload at Diane and Julio’s lovely apartment, freshen up, enjoy a glass of wine, and then have dinner at Diane and Julio’s favourite Spanish restaurant in their neighbourhood, —, where we had an excellent dinner.
On Saturday morning we were up early, to grab coffee and food at the local Starbucks (where the special drinks had different flavours from ours…)
Starbucks, Mexico
and then an hour-long drive to Teotihuacan, an “enormous archaeological site 30 miles northeast of Mexico City, containing some of the largest Mesoamerican Pyramids built in the pre-Columbian Americas. The name means “where man met the gods.” Apart from the pyramids, Teotihuacan is also known for its large residential complexes, the Avenue of the Dead, and numerous colorful, well-preserved murals. Additionally, Teotihuacan produced a thin orange pottery style that spread through Mesoamerica” (from Wikipedia). The weather was perfect (sunny, cool) for the walking (and walking) and climbing (and climbing) we did here.
a great overview of Teotihuacan, Avenue of the Dead
First we climbed the Pyramid of the Sun, though we weren’t allowed to go to the top because the winds were too strong this day (!) The climbing was pretty strenuous, so I was okay with that. 🙂
Pyramid of the Sun
the stairs are very steep
luckily there are a few platforms to rest at
a view of the Moon Pyramid from a platform of the Sun Pyramid
the walls are steep
another view
The Moon Pyramid, where we could climb to just the first platform (thank goodness!)
from the platform on the Moon Pyramid, with Sun Pyramid in background
Fred, waiting while we climbed the Moon Pyramid
wall mural
interesting remains of old rooms
wall remains
mural detail
the usual trinket sellers, found at all tourist attractions world-wide
masks for sale
beautiful colours
And as we exited the site, there was a row of tshirt and trinket shops, many featuring the “catrinas”- well-dressed, but still creepy.
well-dressed Catrinas in shop window
Catrinas
After a long morning at this wonderful site, we returned to the apartment to clean up and get ready for a very late (Spanish-time) lunch at the home of the head of General Motors Mexico. Yes, tequila was involved! Also a most delicious paella made by his wife, who teaches cooking.
view from their backyard
On Sunday, Sharon and Fred left really really early for the airport and their long trip home. Don and I had time on Sunday morning for a walk around Diane and Julio’s lovely neighbourhood before we had to leave.
Don and Diane in the nearby park
beautiful benches in the park, nicely designed
bicycles to rent
lots of poinsettias, native to Mexico, ready for Christmas
love that it is Poinsettias hanging from the lamp posts
beautiful old homes in the neighbourhood
stunning staircase
another beautiful home
my friends know I want to check out local bookstores! 😀
lovely staircase inside, as well as a cafe
another example of a Catrina, in the window of a gift shop
one last colourful shop
After walking the neighbourhood, we went back to the apartment to finish packing up, then said good bye and thank you to Diane and Julio and were off to the airport. We had a great time on our first visit to Mexico.
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