Anahuacalli Museo in Coyoacán

Gail wanted to connect with some folks who she knew in Mexico City, so I was on my own for the day. After my cranky morning dealing with the AirBnB host, I walked over to the Anahuacalli Museum. It was a lovely 50-minute walk through a working neighbourhood. Lots of busy people getting on with their day. It was fun to be so completely out of a touristed area for a bit.

The museum itself is quite amazing. It is constructed from volcanic rock to mirror the construction of the pyramids and architecture of the indigenous peoples. It also had some more “modern” art deco elements. It was designed by Diego Rivera and a famous architect at the time to house the enormous collection of antiquities that Rivera had amassed over the years. They were exquisite pieces that I’m not quite sure how they could have survived undamaged over the hundreds if not thousands of years.

I got a chance to talk with a couple of the museum guards/staff who were very knowledgeable and solicitous - wanting to share what they knew about the art, architecture and history of the place. I was delighted. There is a deep sense of pride and joy that they shared. It was another opportunity for me to use my Spanish.

That evening, Gail and I walked the square and discovered a group of folks engaged in a public ceremony/celebration/worship of dancing and drumming. It was not for money or for tourists. It looked like they were having fun. What a great way to end the day.Read more