Mexico City - January 17

I was so thrilled to get to our hotel in Mexico City.  There were no signs saying, "please do not put toilet paper into the toilet".  There was carpet on the floor and much brighter lighting than we had in Cuba.  But still - no eggs at breakfast!

The day started off on a bad note - our Context Guide went to the wrong Hampton Inn.  The price for this 2 hour tour was USD $200 which is rather high.  We were expecting lots of knowledge of the area, but she spent a lot of time on google maps trying to figure how to get to places.  She wanted to spend 10 minutes talking about what we wanted to see?  This was supposed to be an orientation to the city.  We finally set off and passed these stores.  I have never seen a shop that sold only accordions or only brass instruments.  The day was dark and overcast - so it was hard to capture the city.

More views as we walked along.

She did show us a view from the top of the Sanborne restaurant building. 

Back down, we took photos of the restaurant.

There was a mural in the restaurant - but not sure who painted it.

Walking again - a tiled building.

 The Museum of Bellas Artes.

Of all of the food we try on our travels, desserts are the biggest disappointments. Except of course, gelato in Italy.  Below a store front of a store that sells candied fruit.  More about that later.

This guy looks like he's got a really hard job!

But don't worry, he has help.

The Metropolitan Cathedral.

In the Zocolo, main square, Aztec wanna-be's preformed dances and healings.

Inside the cathedral.

The central marbled aisle which we were not allowed to walk on.

We had to pay extra (about $1 USD) to see the main sacristy and its paintings.  Unfortunately  the lighting was horrible so it is hard to appreciate the paintings.

 I do like this painting of the Madonna and child.

More street scenes around the square.

The Palacio National - we could not find a way in today.

And in front of the Supreme Court building - protests - so we could not go in there either.

Across the street is this statue of an Aztec or pre Aztec family.

I think they were protesting the protest!