“Oh have you seen the churro man, the churro man, the churro man…”
Mexico City, Mexico. October 2017. (20 photos)
This is part 2 of my Mexico City 2017 photo series.
One of the best ways to get a feel for a city is to just wander around with no particular schedule. It’s a great method for street photography as well. Here are some random sightings during my 4 days in Mexico City last year.
I didn’t realise that street food was so popular in Mexico City (CDMX). Churros were a favourite of mine.
Street art is everywhere.
I just happened to be in CDMX before Dia de Muertos (Day of the Dead) celebrations. Despite the origins of this celebration going back almost 3000 years, there is now some mixing of this celebration with Halloween, given its timing from October 31 to November 2.
The Canadian flags were for Canadian Prime minister Justin Trudeau who was visiting at the same time.
“Balancing Act 1: Stepladder man”
“Life imitates art”
Surprisingly to me, CDMX was cooler than I expected. I forgot that it is at an elevation of 2,250m.
It wouldn’t be right to do a post about Mexico and not have a photo of a cactus somewhere. After all, there’s a cactus depicted in the centre of the Mexican flag.
“Balancing Act 2: Flower seller”
“The human crush of Avenida Francisco I. Madero, around 2pm”
And it’s worse at the evening pico hora.
“Crime doesn’t pay. Neither does being a superhero. Spiderman earning a bit of extra cash.”
“Dance, in the old fashioned way…”
On weekends this plaza becomes a giant outdoor dancing venue, with a permanent podium built for an orchestra. Unfortunately for me, the podium had been converted into temporary accomodation for residents displaced from a nearby building which was damaged in the recent earthquake. So the people brought their own music. Life and the dancing goes on.
“Tres Amigos”
“The secret’s out – I had a great time in CDMX”
Mexico has a bad reputation. Despite that, I’m pleased I took the initiative and stayed longer than originally planned. I’m glad I got to see a city and its people recovering from and renewing their lives after being ravaged by the large earthquakes just before my arrival.
…
This is part 2 of my Mexico City 2017 photo series.
This is Part 7 of my North America 2017 photo series.
This is part 20 of my photo series of my 2017 trip to the USA, Mexico, Cuba, and Canada.
Very impressive, full of colors and life…
Thank you. The street art really adds a lot of colour to the street life.
Witty and educational. Great range of photos.
Thank you very much. There’s a huge emphasis on culture in Mexico City. Apparently there are more museums there than in any other city in the world, except for Paris.
beautiful pictures and their colors!!
Thank you very much, Leyla.
Great collection of photos, as usual. The true atmosphere of the city really shines through.
Thank you. Life goes on despite everything. When I was there, everyone was talking about how the earthquakes affected them. There’s a very strong human spirit there.
You have lots of gems in here: the police laughing behind riot shields, the anxious woman in her fluorescent teddy bear jacket, life imitates art…and you are right about the street art! I love the tricolor one with all the names and the–probably officially sanctioned but a mural nonetheless–beautiful portrait of the face with the winding curls. Is it the entrance to or a wall of a children’s garden?And the street dancing. So nice to see the vibrant life despite their recent tragedy.
Thank you very much. It’s funny but I wondered what a children’s garden was at the time because I couldn’t see any greenery. Then it dawned on me – it was a Kindergarten. Yes, I think it was commissioned.
I just found the street dancing to be such a genteel and civilised celebration of life in a country often considered as “dangerous”. It simply made me happy to watch and enjoy, seeing people enjoying life.
Brilliant! So colourful and I love the old buildings, they’re amazing 🙂
Thank you, Norma. The architecture of the historic town centre was beautiful. I love those small balconies you see beneath the large windows.
“Going with the Flow” is a perfect way to see the world. You images have that rhythm. Adore the couples dancing (although they do not seem to be happy) and the variety of public art.
Thank you, very much. Whilst there were many dancers enjoying the moment (in my previous post about CDMX), the people in this photo were in a dance class, probably intently listening to the teacher. 🙂 Public Art is a big feature of Mexico City.
Brilliant street shots. Churros must make life all the bit more sweeter over there given what the place has been through.
Thanks. Certain foods have to be eaten in particular countries – for me, churros were an essential experience in Mexico. 🙂 I’m glad the people were going on with life after the disaster.
When I visit your posts, Draco, everything in my world stops, and I am transported to whatever venue you are hosting. Hola! I loved this visit to Mexico City, was happy to learn the term CDMX, and visit the colorful streets here. There are so many profound photos here, I loved and studied each one. Loved the churro man with the fun reference to the children’s song, and that street art of the Mexican flag is a true work of art. “Life imitates art” is one of my favorites, and perhaps the most profound; loved all the personal photos of the street vendors, especially the step ladder and the flower men. and the beauty and music and festivity of the locals comes incredibly alive with the two dance groups. And Spider Man, well, he’s just brilliant. Muchas gracias.
Thank you so much, Jet. The letters CDMX are displayed around the city as selfie/tourist spots. It stands for Ciudad de Mexico (City of Mexico). To me, CDMX was a very pleasant surprise to what I thought I would find there. Indeed, it is a very vibrant city. The variety of street scenes is fantastic. And I love the thought of public dancing. I look forward to returning one day.
Inspiring street photos! I will try to follow your example and start taking them around where I live.
Thank you. Street photography can be daunting, but the recording of daily life is a great pleasure, I find.
You have captured the atmosphere of this city with your lens LD, and I see some people caught you at it this time 😀 Love all the images, but my fave is the one of the dancing couples. Such fun to see people enjoying themselves in public like this. It just has to make you smile.
Thanks so much, Jude. Funnily, I am less concerned about being seen when I am a tourist than when I am photographing my own city. The occasional smile is fun to catch.
They offer lessons at the plaza on dance days as well. Fun to watch or participate. It’s a feel good sight.
Love the man with the sunflowers on his head, the police line, the conga line, and spiderman. Such a lively and cool town. In a different way than Cuba.
Thank you. Mexico City is a great place for street photography. So much history and culture as well.
Enjoy reading your post and love your photos, as always! I think I will move Mexico City up on my bucket list a couple spots 😉 It’s hard to know for sure if I am falling in love with the place or with your photo, you know…
Have a great day.
Thank you very much. I was surprised to learn there are more museums in Mexico City than any other city, except Paris. The street life, the Art, the culture, the people – it’s a fabulous place.
Have a great week ahead.
Love the street art, but for sheer fun, Batman gets my vote. 🙂
janet
Thanks. I probably should have bought a mask from him. 🙂
Maravilloso reportaje. Se palpa la vida en cada foto. Enhorabuena.
Muchas gracias. Es una ciudad bella y vibrante.
Colorful, fun, relaxing life in Mexico City. Well captured, Dragon.
What a treat to see people, architecture, activities… in different cities every week via your cool posts! 🙂
Thank you so much, Amy. Colour, food and life is what Mexico is about. I’m glad I can bring some of it to you. And to think, Texas was just across the Gulf. 🙂
Mexico City and the whole of the country, really, has a lot to offer. Glad you stayed and got to feel it, especially at such a particular time by Day of the Dead.
Your photos are very timely, colorful and picturesque. Love it all!
I agree, there is so much to experience in Mexico. There’s lots more to see for my next trip, and I would like to get out to some of the country areas such as Oaxaca and see more of the natural landscape.
You’ll love Oaxaca! With Chiapas, they are 2 of my favorite states in Mexico! Very colorful and perfect for photography!
Sounds good. 🙂
Spectacular.
BTW, I became obsessed with churros con chocolate ever since I visited Madrid. Great stuff. Can’t blame you.
Thanks. Chocolate or caramel – I don’t care. Bring it on!!! 🙂
I’m in.
Good 🙂 🙂 🙂
Love churros. And your photos.
Thanks so much. They’re essential in CDMX to offset all that chilli in the other foods. 🙂
Thanks for sharing the treasures you find while wandering around!
My pleasure. Mexico City has a lot treasures worth discovering.
Mexico City does indeed have a bad reputation — but you’re making me think that maybe I should brave it and return to the city where I grew up. Wonderful images, Mr. Draco! What a marvelous microcosm you’ve captured of the city, its art and traditions, and the people.
It is necessary to pay heed to the warnings you read about. But that combined with common sense meant I felt safe the entire time. I think you’d be fine there.
Thank you so much. Mexico city is full of history and treasures to explore. And it’s inexpensive too.
I always seem to just say ‘I love your photos’ but that really sums up how I feel…love these!!
Thanks so much. Mexico City was the surprise packet of my trip. I didn’t think I’d enjoy it as much as I did.
I’ve booked a ticket in October!! 😊
So I should expect a commission cheque from the Mexican Tourist authority at some stage? LOL 🙂
You’ll have a great time. Plenty of museums and art.
Ha! I think they should use some of your shots in their website! 3 – 4 days in CDMX and 3 in Oaxaca for the day of the dead! I cannot wait!
Thanks. Oaxaca should be fabulous!
You captured so many great shots in the span of only 4 days. Life imitates art, ha, great concept there. 🙂
Thank you. There are so many instances of life imitating art.
These are wonderful, Lignum, and I completely agree with you that the best way to see a city (or anywhere, as far as I am concerned), is to just roam and see what you find.
Thank you for sharing!
Thank you very much, Lisa. It’s good to just wander and find yourself away from the usual tourist trail. Have a great day ahead.
Food and fun! The perfect combination. Especially after all they’ve been through recently. I didn’t realize there were so many museums there! Great photos!
Mexico City has a great cultural side to it, worth exploring. I enjoy trying different foods. Fortunately I didn’t experience the dreaded “Montezuma’s Revenge”. 🙂
And that’s a good thing! 😂🤭
Absolutely. 🙂 🙂 🙂
I agree with you just wandering aimlessly is a great way to discover a new place and you are an expert at the street photography you give us a real feel for a place. Love all the street art and that dancing in the street, I would love to join in.
Thank you very much. The dancing was beautiful to watch, knowing these people had just recently experienced large earthquakes.
Very resilient people
Indeed
Lots of colour and life Mr Draco! I really enjoyed the people shots … I wonder what happened to the rest of spider man’s outfit! Lol
Maybe it was wash day? 🙂 Perhaps I should of bought a mask from him, but I’m deliberately restraining myself from those useless purchases whilst on holiday that seemed like a good idea at the time. 🙂
Thanks, Julie. Mexico City was a taste of things to come in Cuba, with regards to the photography.
An incredible journey you took us on with this series of photos Lignum, great shot ~ diverse shots. From street art, street scenes to my favorite ~ the people. You seem to have captured the mood of Mexico City perfectly.
Thanks so much. Mexico City is quite a vibrant and cultured city. Great for photography.