I Heart D.F.

Today we walked to the historical zocolo of Mexico City, and I was happy.  Standing at the center of the world's second largest city square I was surrounded by the National Palace with Diego Rivera's murals, the sinking Cathedral next to the rising Aztec ruins, and tourists watching the native Aztec dancers in the center of the action.  How could I ignore the energy that surrounded me?

What did I notice?

The National Palace - Though this was my second visit to the palace where the walls are filled with story-telling murals created by Diego Rivera, my new understanding of the history of Mexico brought me new appreciation to the historical murals.  The repeating faces of Hernan Cortez changing in one mural, the numerous appearances of corn, and the newspapers with the headlines of "Tierra y Libertad" (Land and Liberty) all have more meaning to me now.  Rivera's ability to tell a country's stories through art and the ability for us to stand in front of that art is inspiring.

A section of one of Rivera's murals at the National Palace

The Templo Mayor Aztec Ruins with the National Cathedral in the background

Lucha Libre - After an inspiring day downtown, I stepped into a contemporary arena of a different sort.  Our group made our way to a lucha libre event (picture WWF/E wrestling).   The anti-violent feminist in me wanted to resist the idea, but I willingly admit that I had a great time.  We chanted with the crowd as the characters took the stage.  The violence that I feared turned out to be more of a gymnastics, acting, and acrobatic combination of men and women jumping, twisting, and flipping at each other.  I allowed myself to laugh heartily as the men and women came out in their capes, masks, and exaggerated personalities.

Masked at Lucha Libre with fellow-teachers, Kate, Christina, and Heather