Twinning the Whole Country
June 23, 2018
By Sarah Ann
After a long day yesterday, I was very grateful to be able to sleep in. The soccer game didn't start until 10, and we weren't doing anything before that. The game was between Mexico and South Korea, with Mexico highly favored. The plan was to watch the game at our house until half-time, and then watch the second half at a cafe, so we could be with the people celebrating when Mexico won. My whole family (besides my mom who doesn't have one) wore Mexican soccer jerseys to show spirit. Lots of other people had jerseys also so we felt like we were twinning the whole country!
My mom read a book which said when traveling you should except delays and annoyances and she always tells us this applies to us also. Well, delays and annoyances happened with that plan. The TV in our house didn't show the World Cup. I bet every TV in Mexico shows the World Cup - except ours. Luckily, my mom saved the day with her plan to find a cafe in this really cute neighborhood called Condensa. While walking there, the streets were deserted, and there were people huddled around TVs in restaurants everywhere. We arrived around half-time. We ordered some brunch food (it was around 10:45) and watched the rest of the game there, along with other people.
Mexico won, and everyone was happy! People were cheering and clapping. This means Mexico almost certainly will advance, but since it isn't just single-elimination, it's complicated. I could give you my whole analysis of what will happen and what needs to, but that will bore all you who aren't soccer fans.
Next, we went to a park called Parque Mexico. It was really pretty, and Christian enjoyed playing at it. Then we went another famous park nearby, called Parque España. It had a fountain, and it was also really pretty.
After that, we walked for 20 minutes to a park called Chapultepec. It's like Central Park in New York City. On the way there, everyone would honk their horns in a chant at us because we were wearing the jerseys. We also stopped at a little bakery since our plan wasn't to eat until later.
In the middle of the park is a monument to the "Monumento a Los Ninos Heroes" which means kid heros. The monument was because during the Mexican American war, the U.S. attacked Chapultepec Castle which was then a military base. The base was unprepared, and General Santa Anna decided to retreat. The boys (ages 13 to 20) to whom the monument is dedicated to chose to die rather than give in. One wrapped himself in the Mexican flag and jumped to his death so he wouldn't have to submit to the U.S..
Next, we hiked up to a castle. My heels got tired (I have Severs, a heel injury) and so Rachel and Taylor took turns giving me piggy-back rides. We made a stop at a lookout on the way, before arriving at the castle. It has a long history, but it at one point belonged to emperor Maximilian and Empress Carlota. They ruled Mexico in 1864, and their rule ended 3 years later when Maximilian was shot. They were part of the a Hapsburg dynasty and didn't even speak Spanish! Mexican presidents stayed there until 1939 when it was turned into a museum. The castle was gorgeous! It had marble floors and fountains, and you could look into the fancy rooms they used and read about it's history.
After exploring the castle, we took a 20 minute train ride around the square. It was really pretty. Then, we tried to find food. The problem was there was only junk food, nothing actually substantial. We ended up getting ice cream (it was absolutely disgusting), Gorditas de Nata with fillings (it was worse than the ice cream), and popcorn (it was okay! Hooray!).
Then we walked to the Anthropology Museum, which is also in Chapultepec Park. The museum is the top museum in Mexico city! Outside, there was a little hot dog stand, and since we were still famished, we got some. While we ate, the Totonac (a tribe of indigenous people) preformed a ritual where they climbed to the top of a 20 meter pole, tied them selves to ropes, and "flew" off the pole as they spun around the pole upside-down. It was very interesting!
Next we headed into the museum. My heels were hurting a lot, and so I got a wheelchair. The museum was amazing!! It had tons of artifacts of the ancient civilizations. It had tons of rooms-- we only got to see the top highlights. I also learned a lot about the civilizations.
Finally, after a long day, we headed home. It was raining by then. We called an Uber, and ate a dinner of scrambled eggs and Spaghetti at home. I can't wait for tomorrow, when we will go on boats and (hopefully--Christian should explain tomorrow) go see the Ballet Folklorico dancers.
By Sarah Ann
After a long day yesterday, I was very grateful to be able to sleep in. The soccer game didn't start until 10, and we weren't doing anything before that. The game was between Mexico and South Korea, with Mexico highly favored. The plan was to watch the game at our house until half-time, and then watch the second half at a cafe, so we could be with the people celebrating when Mexico won. My whole family (besides my mom who doesn't have one) wore Mexican soccer jerseys to show spirit. Lots of other people had jerseys also so we felt like we were twinning the whole country!
My mom read a book which said when traveling you should except delays and annoyances and she always tells us this applies to us also. Well, delays and annoyances happened with that plan. The TV in our house didn't show the World Cup. I bet every TV in Mexico shows the World Cup - except ours. Luckily, my mom saved the day with her plan to find a cafe in this really cute neighborhood called Condensa. While walking there, the streets were deserted, and there were people huddled around TVs in restaurants everywhere. We arrived around half-time. We ordered some brunch food (it was around 10:45) and watched the rest of the game there, along with other people.
watching the soccer game at a cafe in the Condensa neighborhood
Mexico won, and everyone was happy! People were cheering and clapping. This means Mexico almost certainly will advance, but since it isn't just single-elimination, it's complicated. I could give you my whole analysis of what will happen and what needs to, but that will bore all you who aren't soccer fans.
Next, we went to a park called Parque Mexico. It was really pretty, and Christian enjoyed playing at it. Then we went another famous park nearby, called Parque España. It had a fountain, and it was also really pretty.
Parque Espana in the Condensa neighborhood
After that, we walked for 20 minutes to a park called Chapultepec. It's like Central Park in New York City. On the way there, everyone would honk their horns in a chant at us because we were wearing the jerseys. We also stopped at a little bakery since our plan wasn't to eat until later.
In the middle of the park is a monument to the "Monumento a Los Ninos Heroes" which means kid heros. The monument was because during the Mexican American war, the U.S. attacked Chapultepec Castle which was then a military base. The base was unprepared, and General Santa Anna decided to retreat. The boys (ages 13 to 20) to whom the monument is dedicated to chose to die rather than give in. One wrapped himself in the Mexican flag and jumped to his death so he wouldn't have to submit to the U.S..
Monument to the Hero Children
Next, we hiked up to a castle. My heels got tired (I have Severs, a heel injury) and so Rachel and Taylor took turns giving me piggy-back rides. We made a stop at a lookout on the way, before arriving at the castle. It has a long history, but it at one point belonged to emperor Maximilian and Empress Carlota. They ruled Mexico in 1864, and their rule ended 3 years later when Maximilian was shot. They were part of the a Hapsburg dynasty and didn't even speak Spanish! Mexican presidents stayed there until 1939 when it was turned into a museum. The castle was gorgeous! It had marble floors and fountains, and you could look into the fancy rooms they used and read about it's history.
looking out at the city from the castle on the hill. That's the Angel of Independence - the famous symbol of Mexico City - in the distance
the Castle gardens
getting piggyback rides up to the castle
After exploring the castle, we took a 20 minute train ride around the square. It was really pretty. Then, we tried to find food. The problem was there was only junk food, nothing actually substantial. We ended up getting ice cream (it was absolutely disgusting), Gorditas de Nata with fillings (it was worse than the ice cream), and popcorn (it was okay! Hooray!).
Then we walked to the Anthropology Museum, which is also in Chapultepec Park. The museum is the top museum in Mexico city! Outside, there was a little hot dog stand, and since we were still famished, we got some. While we ate, the Totonac (a tribe of indigenous people) preformed a ritual where they climbed to the top of a 20 meter pole, tied them selves to ropes, and "flew" off the pole as they spun around the pole upside-down. It was very interesting!
The Totonacs flying!
I was really excited when I found out the Anthropology Museum had a wheelchair. Sometimes I get tired of sitting on a bench while everywhere else sees neat things - because my heels hurt too much.
The Mexica room. In the back is the sun stone - found near the Templo Mayor.
Next we headed into the museum. My heels were hurting a lot, and so I got a wheelchair. The museum was amazing!! It had tons of artifacts of the ancient civilizations. It had tons of rooms-- we only got to see the top highlights. I also learned a lot about the civilizations.
Finally, after a long day, we headed home. It was raining by then. We called an Uber, and ate a dinner of scrambled eggs and Spaghetti at home. I can't wait for tomorrow, when we will go on boats and (hopefully--Christian should explain tomorrow) go see the Ballet Folklorico dancers.
What a day! You look great in your jerseys. Glad Mexico won again! The parks looks really nice. That was kind of Rachel and Taylor to give you piggy back rides. Glad you got the wheelchair! Love, Grandma Huber
ReplyDeleteThank you for all the detail. Love, Grandma Huber
ReplyDeleteWow! Sounds like you had a great day in Mexico City yesterday Sarah Ann. Thanks for sharing all your experiences on your blog. Grandpa Huber
ReplyDeleteThe museum looks amazing! I think we saw the totonacs when we visited Tulum, the performance looks sinilas! And I think you were going to say "and General Santa Anna sent them to their death," about the kids from the monument, but I do not care for Santa Anna. I love your Mexican jerseys and can't wait for your post about Teotihaucan!
ReplyDelete