Museo Nacional de Antropología | Mexico City

During our short time in Mexico City, we took a walking tour to the National Museum of Anthropology and History. We wanted to share some photos because it's a must-visit in Mexico City.

The museum is divided into rooms that are dedicated to ancient Hispanic civilizations like the Aztecs, Mayas, Zapotecas, Mixtecas, Purépechas, Olmecs and others. It really helped having a guide to point out interesting displays (because the place is huge) and share background information. I didn't know much about the history in this part of the world and was just soaking up every bit our guide was sharing.

Also, the museum building has an impressive design. There's a giant concrete "umbrella" in the center supported by one pole. It was designed and built by Mexican architect, Pedro Ramírez Vázquez in 1964. 

One more post from Mexico City, then Cuba! Also, I'm getting really anxious to update the blog with a new look and can't wait to share it with you all. 

- Julia

Giant concrete "umbrella" covering the center courtyard of the museum.

View of the city from underneath the umbrella.

This sculpture has a bowl on top that was used to hold human hearts during sacrificial ceremonies. 

Seeing things like this makes me want to travel back in time.

The original Stone Of The Sun (Aztec "calendar").

A reconstruction of Tenochtitlan, the capital of the Aztecs (located in the center of modern day Mexico City). 

Mexico City | 2 of 3

It didn't take long to notice the all the maroon and gold bugs on the streets. Mexico City is known for the Volkswagon Beetle taxi, and at their height in 2006, about half of all taxis were Beetles (that's 50,000 bugs). Today there are 3,500 and next year that number will be 0. Because of safety and pollution reasons, officials have decided to expire all their licenses by the end of the year. We considered ourselves lucky to see them before they go extinct.

- Yuriy

During a walking tour of Mexico City, we stopped to watch this spiritual ceremony. 5 Indians from the region of Papantla climb to the top of a 50 ft. pole, tie a rope to the top and wrap the other end around them. Then 4 of them jump and as the rope slowly unwinds, they spin and get closer and closer to the ground. While the 5th sits on top and plays a traditional flute. This is done as a way of prayer for fertility and rains.

 

The Metropolitan Cathedral of the Assumption of Mary of Mexico City is the oldest and largest cathedral in the Americas.

Delicious street tacos with grilled cactus on top.

While eating dinner at a sidewalk cafe, we watched a man hire a couple of musicians to play for his wife. He joined the musicians in singing, and then took his lady's hand and they danced away in the middle of the park, like they were the only ones there. It was quite nice to see.