A Lost Saturday

Last Saturday Alejandro and I planned to go downtown to the Museum of the Templo Mayor, which is located next to the archaeological site where the remains of the main Aztec temple were uncovered decades ago in the heart of the city's historic center.  The museum is having a special exhibit showcasing recent discoveries by archaeologists.

We took the Metrobus to the Monument of the Revolution, and as we walked in the direction of the Zócalo, the main plaza, we could tell something was amiss.  As we crossed Paseo de la Reforma, we saw that the boulevard had been closed to traffic.  Monuments were surrounded by barricades, and some of the businesses were also surrounded by barricades.

Then we saw large contingents of police, and, when we noticed that they were all policewomen, Alejandro said that there was a women's march going on.  Although we never saw the march, other than some straggling protestors, we later found out that there was a demonstration by feminists marking the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women.  There were rallies around the world, and in Mexico City contingents of feminist organizations gathered at various points in the city and converged upon the Zócalo.

Alejandro and I took a detour from the main route to the Zócalo.  We later learned that Madero Street, the pedestrian avenue that goes through the heart of the historic center to the Zócalo had been completely blocked off by authorities.  Even though we were a couple blocks away from the route of the marchers, historic buildings were surrounded by barricades, and businesses were shuttered.  The problem is that some of the more militant groups have a history of vandalizing buildings and smashing windows.

As we approached the Zócalo, access to the entire area around the Templo Mayor and its museum was blocked.  We turned around and decided to take the Metrobus back to the apartment.  However, as we walked back, we saw that one of the downtown branches of El Cardenal was open.  Even though we were not yet really hungry, we decided to take advantage of the situation, and have dinner at one of our favorite restaurants.

Alejandro had bass baked in a corn husk.

I ordered a type of "mole" that I had never had before... "mole de Xochimilco".

As always, our meals at El Cardenal were excellent.

When we left the restaurant, the rally was over, and city crews were busy cleaning the spray-painted graffiti left behind by the demonstrators on walls and sidewalks.

Our expedition downtown did not go as planned, but at least we enjoyed an outstanding meal.