Xochimilco

While visiting our niece Natalie in Mexico City, Cynthia, Natalie and I took a trip to the canals of Xochimilco.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xochimilco

Located in the southern part of Mexico City, the canals are all that’s left of the ancient lake Xochimilco that once covered parts of the city.

When we arrived I was amazed by the bright colored boats with beautiful enchanting designs, each with their own name, like Lupita, Maria, and Queen of Hearts. We boarded one of these boats called trajineras that are pushed along with wooden poles by men standing on the back part of the boat or rooftop.

Once we were on the water we realized that there weren’t just a few of these boats, but there were hundreds of them. Going and coming from all directions, they seemed to be everywhere. They all moved along slowly, bumping into each other and making their way along the canal. The mood was festive, with food, Mariachi music and the colorful boats.

We enjoyed roasted corn on the cob and homemade potato chips sold from one of the passing food boats.

In addition to food boats there were boats carrying well dressed Mariachi musicians singing and playing guitars, violins and trumpets. There were even boats selling potted plants in case you needed one.

There was so much going on around us we just sat back and enjoyed the hour long colorful ride. We searched for boats named after Cynthia’s siblings. Patricia and Sandra were easy to find, but we had to settle on Theresa for Terry.

At the end of the ride we walked around a park with food venders and restaurants and while eating our delicious quesadillas and tacos, we watched the costumed Voladores (Indian Flyers) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Danza_de_los_Voladores_de_Papantla,
while they wound there way down the tall pole to the sound of flute and drum music.

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After lunch we boarded another boat for another hour of boats, music and great fun. It was a wonderful afternoon that I will always remember. Thank you Natalie.