Photo 1...Me and a large pan of Lasagna. It served 15 with leftovers.
The original miraculous apron containing the image of the Virgin hangs behind bullet-proof glass above the altar in the new basilica. Moving walkways going in two directions transport the crowds a distance below the cloak. If you want to see it again, take the people-mover going in the opposite direction; you can do it as many times as you want.
The picture is of a woman with olive skin, rather than the white skin of European images, which has appealed to both indigenous Mexicans and their mestizo descendants. Similarly, the man that she is supposed to have appeared to, Juan Diego, was an Indian, not a European Spaniard. The image of Our Lady of Guadalupe has thus been used by advocates of indigenous rights throughout Mexico's history, most recently by the Zapatista movement.
Photo 1...The new Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe. Built in the 70's to serve the growing parish, December 12th is the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe and the entire area is filled with Catholics making the pilgrimage.
Photo 1... Chopo Market, a who's who of punks, rockers, hippies and 80's fashionistas who sell their wares among the black baggies and dope smokers of Mexicos forelorn youth who crave acceptance in this mixed up mess of counter culture iconoclasts. Whew...
The story behind these photos started with a question a few days prior. You see, as I have been traveling around my town and to the City I have kept noticing houses that sit precariously on a ledge far far above the main roadway, and I wondered...where is that place? So, I asked Aris and after Tacos...we drove up to 'Balcones'...translated'...Balconies, because if you life there you need one. It is far above the towns below and as you climb your way up, you realize how small you are and how large the suburbs of Mexico City are. In the first photo, we were looking in the direction of Atizapan and points North, the second is Districo Federal and points south all the way to Mexico City.
Photo 1...The 'Pastor' being sliced off by the chef at King Kong. The meat cooks horizontally with a propane flame searing it as it spins. The chef cuts off the sweet, crunchy meat and with a knick of the knife he slaps a sweet piece of pineapple onto the corn tortilla. Top it with onion, cilantro and green salsa and a few drops of lime...it is Mana from heaven. Can you eat anything so simple yet so tasty, this gringo doesn't think so.
Photo 1...The Corona truck, and who doesn't love Corona here? Well, there are many other brands of beer, and Corona isn't the preferred. For me, it is Victoria Beer...
Photo 1...Tacos at the Wed/Sat 'mercado' here in Villas de la Hacienda. So incredibly good it makes you want to slap someone!
Photo 1...The 'other' Cathedral in the City Center.
Photo 1...My 'Microbus' driver, steady on the wheel and always being watched by Christ on the cross.
