Ciudad de Mexico - Mexico City- Day 1

My organized sister Rachel posted in her blog right after we came home from this trip.  I on the other hand have waited for 7 months.  so I am going to borrow her posts and hopes she forgives me!

Tyler and I had an amazing opportunity to visit family in Mexico City.  What an adventure!  we had a blast seeing art and broadening our world view as we learned about the Mexican culture.  We ate delicious food.  We had perfect weather during our visit. it would rain a little each night, so we had no pollution, but blue skies every day for our excursions.  We met very nice people and took a lot of pictures.  


We all came in on red eye flights.  had some bleary eyed breakfast and Grandma and Grandpa's little pink casa house.

Grandpa was just wonderful to hire a very nice Mexican brother Benjamin to drive us all over the city.  that way we could all relax.  Benjamin was so helpful in so many ways.  he told us about the sites we saw. he taught us Spanish words and phrases and helped with translation. He was pleasant and funny and remembered everyone's names.  he helped with bargaining for souvenirs.  He also was an amazing driver.  I don't remember ever seeing such intense traffic with loose rules.  along with that, I've never been to such a densely populated city before.  no grass between the houses, just built touching each other.  children used playgrounds that were next to busy roads because that's all the play space that was available.  

  As were were all jet lagged, we spent the day floating down the canals at Xochimilco (So-che-milco)  You can buy a song from the vendors, as we did here.  you can buy roasted corn for cousin Spencer

The Island of the Dolls

The canals are left from what was an extensive lake and canal system that connected most of the settlements of the Valley of Mexico. These canals, along with artificial islands called chinampas, attract tourists and other city residents to ride on colorful gondola-like boats called “trajineras” around the 170 km (110 mi) of canals. 

taking a break to find a banyo (toilet).  standard procedure is cost of 5 pesos each person and don't flush the paper.  lots of greenhouse nurseries because of the water.

we were in the sun a lot this trip. 

walk through a market

grandma got some radishes

Ely liked this flower display and the baby animals in the next shot.  

so many merchants making fresh tortillas as we walked past! amazing.

 I saw a couple of dogs on leashes, but mostly not.  this vendor was one of many selling chicken.

When we ate at the commodore (cafeteria) at the Missionary Training Center (CCM), we dressed as the missionaries do.

The two doctors on staff to serve these young folks.

Grandpa's office.

shopping for snack food at the Tienda (store)