***Robbie tickets***

I´m really happy as just managed to get tickets to go and see Robbie Williams here in Mexico at the end of October!!!! How fantastic is that. And the even better news is that the tickets were only 20 pounds each!!!!

Anthropology museum

This was a warrier fighting platform where the Aztecs fought to the death. Above is what the colours would have looked like and below is the excavated version.

A typical burial chamber found at one of the various pyramid sites throughout Mexico. The bodies were usually buried with jade and other valuable ornaments, depending on how important the person was.

Teotihuacan

View from the Pyramid of the Sun - third largest pyramid in the World

The mexican hat, from the fairly sensible to the ridiculous

French tourists will do anything if you tell them....even play 'Simon says' at the top of the pyramids!


















Ancient original painting - about 1600 years old!!!

Independence day 15-16th September

Friday celebrations

Great celebrations here all weekend in the City, starting with the 'grito' Friday night of 'Viva Mexico!' in the main Zocolo. President Fox moved his grito away from the city amongst fears of a possile clash with supporters of Obrador. However, there were still thousands of people in the streets and a real family atmosphere with everyone decked out with mexican flags, sombreros, big moustaches and painted faces. After the cry of Viva Mexico, there was a spectacular firework display next to the catherdral (a bit like the fireworks at Ely Catherdral on bonfire night!). Although many people gave warnings not to go into the main square for fear of pickpockets, potential violence, crowded metros etc etc...the worst thing that happened was a light covering of shaving foam being sprayed by everyone in the streets!!
Saturday saw many people in the city there to watch the military parade of over 21000 people. Unfortunately, the time had been brought forward because of a political protest being held in support of Obrador. We turned up for a 3 pm start but it was all over by midday...oops!! However, it did mean being caught up with hundreds of thousands of people all heading to the Zocolo for the demonstration. An interesting sight, especially when the heavens opened and everyone dived in doorways for shelter. Some of these pictures are mine, some are from the newspaper to give you an idea of what the parade would have looked like!!

The military parade

Obrador supporters

Some of the amazing buildings in the city

Casa de Azulejos

Almost as patriotic as the Welsh!

Santo Domingo church

Bellas Artes buiding

The Cathedral and Zocolo

Getting ready for Independence Day

2006 electoral protests

Following the 2006 general election in July, the main streets of Mexico City have been occupied by sympathizers of Obrador, the presidential candidate of the Democratic Revolution Party. He claimed the election had been compromised by widespread electoral fraud. The protesters set up tents on the streets and have pledged to remain there in support of their candidate until the outcome of the election was overturned. However, the result was reannounced on September 6th with no change, but the tents are still there. The main road, la Reforma, is lined with tents for many miles and has affected many businesses in this area due to lack of access.

Mexico pictures

Here are a few pictures taken over the weekend in Mexico City. Despite the warnings not to visit the main Zocolo and La Reforma area due to current protests there (over the election result), it was a very peaceful weekend of sight seeing and the only evidence of the protestors was about 3 miles of empty tents closing the main road (La Reforma) through the city. This made it even easier to walk around without having traffic to contend with!! I think all the protestors have now given up and gone home but left all the tents up.

Me in the bazaar in the old city - no, I didn't buy any hot dogs.

Some of the decoarations in the main square (Zocolo) in preparation for Independence day celebrations on Saturday 16th September

This looked quite bizarre when I was people watching from a bench in the park!

Couldn't resist having a picture with this Daisy look a like (for anyone who didn't know, I used to own a 30 year old yellow bug just like this)

Friday night celebrations with the Mexicanos -

this was taken after about 5 hours of tequila drinking!!

Salud! (Cheers!)

Changing emotions of the roaming musicians
(who does the guy on the left reminder you of?)

Me, Sergio and Gaby

Mexico again

Just a quick entry to say I'm back in Mexico and looking for some voluntary work in Mexico City, hopefully with the street children charities teaching English. I'll be based in Mexico this time rather than travelling around and will be back in the UK for christmas. It's great to be here and speaking Spanish again....I've amazed myself with how much I've remembered. Heading to see the protestors in the main Zocolo area tomorrow but avoiding travelling to Oaxaca where there is a lot of unrest between the teachers unions and the government. Such a shame as Oaxaca is such a beautiful place.
Hope everyone is well and that the new school term for those involved started with lots of enthusiasm.

Pictures from home

Just a few pics taken this summer whilst visiting the family in Wales.

Dunraven bay, S Wales...one of my favourite places to go for a walk when at home in Wales

My 17 year old cat Sooty

My Grandpa looking good at 85 a week after having a heart attack - an amazing man!

Me and Sophie on a walk near home in Wales