anika in mexico

The plan today was to go to Xochimilco and to the Dolores Olmeda Patino Museum. I got a fairly early start, and headed to the museum first. It’s a bit out of Xochimilco, but nearby. It’s the old hacienda where Dolores herself used to live. She was an avid art collector and patron/contemporary of Diego Rivera. She has tons of Diego’s art, Frida Khalo art, as well as other pieces from artist and artisans from around the world.

It’s really an amazing museum, not only for the art, but also the buildings and the grounds. There are peacocks roaming around everywhere, along with ducks and turkeys, and the Mexican hairless dogs called the xoloscuintles. I spent almost 5 hours at the museum. I looked at the art, walked around the cobble stone paths, observed and photographed the peacocks and hairless pooches, and had some queso fundido and a cappuccino in the cafe where I also sketched a bit and started a new interesting pattern. On the way out I stopped by the museum store and bought a few postcards for people that I probably will never send, as is my habit. Hehe.

By the time I left the museum, it was close to 4. Not really time enough to really go to Xochimilco, but I decided to drive down there and get a feel for the area. Which is what I did. I drove around the old town square, and on the way out I saw some trajineras to my right. I missed my chance to pull into the parking place, so I turned around so I could go have a look. I popped out of the car for a minute, and of course was immediately confronted by several navigators of the boats who wanted to take me on a tour. I told them that I didn’t have time today, then I shot a few photos before hopping back into my car.

It took me a while to get back home since traffic was already getting heavy, but I made it back by 5 when I said I’d meet Teocrito who was going to get my oil changed and fix something with the tire for me so I’d be all ready for my road trip. At 6:30 he finally showed up, just as Karin also came by to pick me up to go to Tai Chi. I didn’t really want to go, but she can be very convincing, so Teo left with my car and I left with Karin.

The Tai Chi guy was about an hour late, but in the meantime Karin gave me a tour of the school that apparently used to be her grandmother’s house. It was absolutely huge, and I can’t quite imagine all the things she said were different. Apparently most of my cousins went there for elementary school.

Finally our instructor showed up, and we had our Tai Chi session. I actually really liked it because it was mostly just exercises, and not so much actual Tai Chi.

Obviously I got home later than I expected since the class finished an hour late. Karin invited me to go with her the next day to the Ranch, but I told her I was going with Jenny to the market in the city that she goes to once every two weeks.

I had a quick supper and headed to bed since I had to get up early to meet Jenny.

Today we started class off with another session of conversation with another class. This was another individual class, and the woman was in a much higher level than I. It was kind of cool though because her Spanish was very smooth, and while she was a lot more confident, it was simple enough that I really understood everything she said.

After that class went by really quickly, thankfully. I took Sigrid with me to have lunch at Karin’s. Siggy also joined me. Afterwards I stayed to edit some of the photos of the rancho that Karin and I had taken over the weekend, and Karin took Sigrid back home. The photo editing went by slowly. I finished just in time to go to Tai Chi with Karin.

The Tai-Chi was taught on the outdoor, covered, astroturf playground at a school. It was very small, but there were only 5 of us total in the class. It was ok, and by the end I was even a little sweaty. I did notice it was a bit of a strain on my knees, but maybe in a good strengthening way. I might go back next week.

I had some supper with Sigrid, but then I was pretty tired, so I just went upstairs, did my homework and went to bed.