Journey To Mexico City

We left tequisquiapan early. Mexico is only a little more than two hrs. away, after consulting our map, we followed road mex. 57 and before long, there we were face to face with the "Distrito Federal" Federal District D.F. We pulled over to admire its' vastness, Mexico City sits in a valley, approximately 65 X 95 kilometers, all blanketed with dwellings as far as your eyes can see. From the most humble homes in the outskirt to a modern a modern metropolis in the center. D.F is surrounded by mountains and two snow capped Titan watching over the valley; Popocatepetl and Iztaccihuatl. The mountains and the millions of cars along with a dirty industrial complexes are chiefly responsible for the smog that plagues the city.

Soon we approached the last "caseta de cobro" toll booth in Tepoezoetlan, before entering the D.F. We made arrangements with Angel, Because we didn't want to drive in Mexico city due to the heavy traffic, lack of respect for traffic regulation by "chilangos", citizen of D.F., and lack of familiarity with the sprawling metropolis. Angel is one of my uncles who has lived in el D.F. all of his life he kindly agreed to drive us around. This was the best way to get around, something I recommend to anyone driving in this city. I learned that many other tourist who bring their own cars hire local drivers to get around, the fee is about $300 pesos per day, money well spent. For me, it was very happy moment to greet some of my family member who also welcomed us to stay at their home. The first place Javier wanted to see was the "plaza de las tres culturas" Angel drove us straight to the plaza.On the trip there he provided us background information and the importance of the site; he explained that the plaza commemorates the three cultures, pre-Colombian and Spanish Colonial which gave birth to the present and proud Mestizo culture. He went on to express that the plaza in now better known for the atrocities which took place on October 2, 1968. In order to quell the ever mounting student demonstration taking place during the1968 Mexico Olympics. Police and government troops fired upon demonstrators and bystanders from the massive apartment complex, leaving many dead and injured. Mexico has never forgiven president Gustavo Dias Ordaz for this calamity.

Above left you see the plaque commemorating the plaza. Middle the Spanish culture right the
Indian culture.


This housing complex is where
the soldier and police were
when the shot at the demonstrators
in i968. The archaeological site is in the
foreground.

To the right is is a monument remembering the demonstrator who
were killed in 1968




Angel our host, driver, guide is waiting for us in the car. Apparently he is a taco chef of renowned reputation in his "colonia" He promised us a wonderful dinner.





Stay tuned for tacos