xochimilco

so we went to xochimilco today. we took the subway and then another line of subway called the tren ligero. it was a piece of cake (only cause Les has an innate sense of direction that is downright uncanny). then we walked abut 6 blocks to get tothe boat rides.  after intense negotiations since the captains were asking for 800 pesos, we got them to lower it to 400 pesos, both of us, two hours.   the full on deal !!

well amigos and amigas, i thought the boat trip would be educational, i thought it would be fun, i thought it would be many things but the reality was far more fabulous !!!!

there are over a hundred boats and they filll up with couples or big groups. then, as you are slowly and gently rolling down the canals, vendors come by with roses (helloooooooooooooo)

they come by with beer

they come by and offer lunch which they set up on the boat

oh i hope all of you come here one day and experience these 2 hours of absolute delight for yourselves.

and now for some history - the aztecs called it THE PLACE OF THE FLOWER FIELDS, and it is still used for flower and vegetable growing nowadays. In spite of being revered by the aztecs, cortez and his men never saw it. the aztecs built up islands with tree branches and soil. they are the only portion of their paradise that remains intact snce the spaniards destroyed all they could when they were conquering mexico.