Propaganda.

 

Last weekend while we were in Roma eating tamales and shopping at the street market, my roommate Coline and I went to this museum that is featuring political propaganda from past Mexican elections.

They had absolutely everything from ties, pens, shopping bags, clocks, and lots of paper bills that were redeemable for cash or other stuff. There was also information on the history of Mexican elections (who was running, different historical happenings, etc.).

Ever wondered what Vicente Fox tequila tastes like?

Different campaign slogans

I found these old school bumper stickers super entertaining. You actually had to nail it to you car like a license plate.

Finally they graduated to regular stickers.

This type of stuff has been a hot issue in Mexico recently, since one of the presidential candidates is claiming that the winner bought votes by giving out grocery store gift cards, among other things. It is starkly different from the U.S. (you normally have to donate something to get a button or t-shirt), but I'm not sure how many Mexican's think it is really wrong, as the gifts are often given to extremely poor people and what is wrong with getting free stuff? 

The link below is to an interesting article on the topic where one Mexican man claims that the gifts don't influence his vote, but why not take them?

"Vote Buying Efforts Remain Time Honored as Mexicans Reap Gifts" - Bloomberg Business Week.

Also, a pretty tree.

Tamales.

I've seem tamales on the menus of various restaurants here in Mexico, but hadn't been really excited to try them until I read a blog post from a writer based in Mexico City.

Her description of Cafe de Raiz made me want to go immediately, and luckily I had a willing roommate. 

We headed to the neighborhood of Roma Norte last Sunday in the morning and walked around the market there, then found our way to Cafe de Raiz once we got hungry. Practically hidden on a side street, it was a tiny little place with two tables outside and four inside. 

They had a lot of options for tamales and breakfast. I knew I wanted the bean tamale after reading the blog post and my roommate chose a chicken and green sauce tamale. They were only 17 pesos, super cheap.

I was really happy with my tamale, it was delicious and a little spicy. I also ordered a chai tea that had the real spices in it, none of that pre-made mix stuff. I was in Miriam heaven.

Looks sorta like poo but tastes so good!

Tamales are normally wrapped in corn husks, but these were wrapped in banana leaves. My roommate said that helps keep them more moist and makes them tastier.

I plan on going back soon to try another version and see if their chilaquiles are any good!

Saturday Pictures.

(These are from last Saturday. Today was rainy and cold and I went to a museum.)

Street with lots of jewelry stores.

An art installation downtown.

Yes that kid is climbing on the art. 

Templo Mayor

Another really cool thing close to the Zocalo is the Templo Mayor. Its a super old temple that the Spanish colonizers built over when they settled in Mexico City. In the 1970's it was uncovered, so now there are literally ancient ruins sitting right in the middle of the city. You can walk up and look at it through a fence or you can pay around $4 to go walk around inside and go to the museum.

There are layers and layers of temples, as each new king expanded the previous temple to symbolize the growth of the empire.

The museum houses all of the cool things they found on this site (most of the things left outside are recreations). My camera died, so we did not get many indoor pictures, but the coolest part was outside anyway.

Pepto.

Pepto Bismal has become my new best friend.

Ever since I got sick last week my stomach has not been the same. I knew this would likely happen and it could be a lot worse, but it is still a bummer! I was doing so well for my first month.

I have been taking dose of Pepto Bismol at least once every day or so, sometimes 3 times a day... at this rate I think I will be supporting their company heavily for the next month. It is a lifesaver.

Palacio Nacional

On Saturday we also visited the Palacio Nacional, or National Palace. Its the longest building on the Zocalo. Its free to go in, but you have to follow a lot of rules (no note taking!).

Inside there are murals painted by Diego Rivera:

We also saw some historical stuff and some soldiers.

Cathedral Bell Towers

On Saturday I went to the Zocalo with a friend to explore. I left my house at 9:30 and it was around 50 degrees out, so I was wearing a scarf and my fleece. By 11:00 the sun was out and it was HOT. I had to take my fleece off and the sun felt so good.  Unfortunately I got sun-burnt for the first time in Mexico City. First cold, first food poisoning, and first sunburn all in one week! The weather has been so cold I forgot it was possible to get sunburnt. Oh well.

Part of the reason I got sunburnt is we spent some time the rooftop of the Cathedral.

First of all, this Cathedral is the biggest in South and North America, according to WikiTravel. I read that there was a tour of the bell towers for only 15 pesos, super cheap! We decided to go for it and it was so worth it. After waiting 15 minutes we were lead to an outside door and went up some stairs.

Then we went up some smaller stairs.

Then we went up a winding metal staircase that was outside. Cue my fear of heights. I was scared!

We didn't go up these stairs.

It was so worth it once we got to the top. I couldn't believe they would let people climb on such an old structure. It was amazing!







The guide told us stories about the bells, how much they weigh, and how old they are.



At noon they rang the bells. It was surreal to be standing on the roof looking all over Mexico City listening to the bells ring. I definitely got my dollars worth.

 

Roxy Icecream

While my diet the last two days has consisted only of rice, dry toast, and crackers, I did get to have my first Mexican ice-cream experience earlier this week (actually I got sorbet because of my cold, but whatever!).

I live pretty close to this ice-cream place, called Roxy. Apparently it is a chain and it is quite popular here. Its always crowded and people rave about it all of the time.

We went to check it out on Monday and it was actually really good. Its also really cheap! A single scoop is only 15 pesos... basically a dollar and some change.

One of my roommates and a coworker enjoying their macadamia nut and dulche de leche cones.

The portions are much smaller than our scoops, which I like because usually I don't want a huge thing of ice-cream. I'm not normal.

I got mine in a cup because I was too full from lunch to eat a cone. There are so many flavors I'll have to go back soon to try more!