A very interesting day. We decided to go walking again today because it is the best way and easiest, to see the city. As we walked, there were loud alarms going off and people pouring out of the buildings. On our phones we received an alert for an earthquake drill. Apparently the drill occurs every 3 to 4 months. It was amazing, people poured out of buildings and filled the streets. We gave up moving and just sat on planters on the street until it was over. We had no choice, so many people.
It was very organized, but the people in their cars were frustrated and sharing their "delight" with their horns. It lasted one hour and fifteen minutes. The noise was overwhelming, but the orderliness of the people descending sometimes 20 stories of stairs was remarkable. We were really happy when it was over and life returned to normal.
Mexico City is an incredible, historical city. It dates back to 1325 when it was established as Tenochtitlan. It was built on an island in Lake Texcoco. In 1521 Spanish forces conquered the city and renamed it New Spain after a brutal conquest. It then gained independence from Spain in 1821 and Mexico City remained the capital of Mexico. It expanded dramatically in the 20th century after the Mexican Revolution, 1910-1920.
Rapid industrialization and urbanization transformed it into one of the worlds' largest metropolitan areas. It hosted the 1968 Olympics and has since become a major cultural, economic and political hub in Latin America.
I, for one, am in awe of Mexico City, and my appreciation has grown exponentially as a beautiful, cosmopolitan city, filled with warm loving people that begs to be explored.
Tomorrow-Lisbon.