Mexico City Thursday April 24th - Day to explore

Woke up at 8:30 (6:30 Van time) and discovered Catherine had fallen out of the shower and hurt her little hand and was calling out my name.  I sleep with ear plugs and therefore didn't become privy to this until much later in the morning.  For breakfast we headed to El Cardenal, a well reviewed restaurant that apparently makes great breakfasts and hot chocolate.  This place seemed higher end, but the food was only in the 75 to 100 peso range per person.  ($10 Can)

Mexican baked goods are astoundingly fresh and delicious.

Afterwards we visited the Mexico City metropolitan cathedral, the largest and oldest cathedral in the Americas. The cathedral was built in sections from 1573 to 1813.  Modeled after Gothic cathedrals in Spain.

Bored Jesus

Museo del Templo Mayor.  One of the main temples of the Aztecs built in the postclassical period of Mesoamerica.  Construction began sometime after 1325. the city was rebuilt about six times and destroyed the Spanish in 1525.  The Metropolitan Cathedral was built on top of it.

National Palace - an impressive federal building full of Diego Rivera Murrells and beautiful architecture.

Lunch at La Vasconia on Tacuba street.  This was a great spot that was half bakery half diner.  The pastries looked so fresh and scrumptious however we decided to sit on the restaurant side and were delighted to be handed menus with pictures and English descriptions.  Catherine had the chicken right off the rotisserie w fries. Lucia had the traditional taco and I had molletes with sausage, basically fresh bread with refried beans cheese and chorizo sausage.  Everything is just so fresh here, including the freshly squeezed juices.  All the bread here is soft and warm out of the oven.

Next we stopped off at the Palacio Postal del Servicio, an early 20th century post office.  

The twins bought some stamps

Finally the museo del Palacio de Bellas artes best known for its murals by Diego Rivera. Man, Controller of the Universe was the mural destroyed by the Rockefellers prior to its completion due to Lenin's head being included, and thus considered to be anti capitalistic.  Diego recreated the painting back home.

Man, Controller of the Universe.

We went back to our hotel for a breather and I had a Starbucks, which happened to be right next door. Later we ventured out and had dinner at the Best Western Majestic, located directly across the Metropolitan Cathedral.  This restaurant had a terrific balcony view of the Metropolitan Cathedral, and the building itself was built in the 1930's.  There didn't seem to be too many people around, so it was a little creepy, like The Shining. 

Later we walked around the city.  It's a warm evening and very pleasant.  Lots of people are walking about.  There's tons of little restaurants and friendly looking hang outs.  A 6 yr old walked up to me, and in her best English wanted to ask me some questions.  What's my favorite color, my age ,favorite food etc...  It was very cute and her parents recorded the entire interview.  They seemed very pleased.