Saturday, December 30, 2023

Mexico City (IV) - Xochimilco, Mexico (December 2023)

We drove to Xochimilco, one of the boroughs of Mexico City. It still has a lake, Xochimilico Lake, and there are an estimated 1,500 flat boats or Trajineras. There are still floating gardens, called Chinampas built on artificial islands. People come and ride these boats and enjoy the music played by the Mariachis and the food that boat merchants sell. We also enjoyed the ride with the Mariachi music.  











After riding the colorful flat boats, we watched the Dance or Ritual of the Voladores. A group of people come down from the top of a pole circling around the pole as the ropes are unwound from the top. One person plays a musical instrument while they are coming down to provide a rhythm. This ritual was started by some tribes in Central Mexico some 450 years ago to appease their gods when there were droughts and has since spread to other pockets of Mexico. 


It was a joyous experience to ride the colorful boats listening to the Mariachi music and also to watch the Ritual of Voladores. - Jeffrey

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