Today’s post is 1750 words, 57 photos, an 8.5 minute read. Enjoy!
Hi everyone,
This week I’ll continue our tour of Mexico City with Oskar. We’ll visit the Jamaica Market then get dropped off near Constitution Plaza, also known as The Zocalo or center of the city. If you missed the seven earlier posts on our trip to Mexico, click here, here, here, here, here, here, and here.
Jamaica Market
Last week I introduced you to Oskar, our City Unscripted guide. Our day began with stops at the Plaza de las Tres Culturas (Three Cultures Square) and the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe. Both were so interesting and fun.
Our next stop was at the Jamaica Market. Originally, I’d ask Oskar to take us to another market recommended in one of the guide books. He suggested the Jamaica Market because it wasn’t as crowded and photographs were easier to take. I’m so happy he suggested this market.
Why you might ask? Well, prepare to be amazed.
As we walked from the street to the indoor market, a vendor was selling sneakers from this nice display.
The market is huge consisting of three very large buildings covering a whole city block. It opened in 1957 and apparently takes its name from the Jamaican immigrant that founded the market. Or it took its name from a nearby ranch or town. History is vague in this matter. Interestingly, this market is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
Below are photos from the first aisle with a wide assortment of candy, produce, piñatas, and party favors.
The fruit was especially appealing. The displays of papaya, pineapple, mangos, bananas, apples, oranges, watermelon, cantaloupe, pomegranates, and other fruits were organized and carefully curated to help make sales. 
Then came the flowers. I can’t tell you how many booths selling flowers there are in this market. Actually, I can. According to a Google search, there are over 1100 flower and plant vendors in the Jamaica Market. Some were selling bouquets of cut flowers, others where selling flower arrangements for funerals, weddings, and other special occasions. My Traveling Partner and I wondered where all these flowers were headed. For one example, we’d just come from the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe, there were extensive flower arrangements at every altar and statute. The flowers seemed inexpensive to us. With the exchange rate of $20 Mexican pesos to $1 US dollar, a large bouquet of flowers priced at $35 pesos is equal to $1.50 USD. Inexpensive for us but moderately priced for them.
The variety of flowers was stunning too. There were mums, roses, tulips, orchids, bird of paradise, lilies, hydrangeas, marigolds, plus 5000 other varieties of flowers and growing plants. To me it approached sensory overload.
The following photos are examples of some of the interesting and unique flower arrangements. I especially enjoyed the dog arrangements.
In this photo, note the windows above the vendor’s stall. Many areas of the market have small apartments where vendors can live. Not all are occupied but since the market is open 24/7/365, it’s conceivable that many do live above the store.
In a few areas of the market, wholesalers were selling large bales of flowers. Some stacks were five feet high. It was a lot of flowers, some that were destined to be exported, mostly to the US.
As we were walking around, Oskar purchased a cob of white corn sprinkled with spices from one of the food vendors. He said it was delicious.
There were more candy vendors and goodie baskets for the kids.
There were more fruit vendors, look at the display of these beautiful strawberries. They were $2.50 per container. The top of the sign says, “don’t think too much about it.”
The photo below is of the biggest, neatest and best display of fruits and vegetables. Everything was in its place, I can’t image how much time it took the vendor to make such a beautiful display.
This photos shows the different types of corn available to cooks. I’m sure they all had a special use.
After all the stimulating sites, sounds, and smells at the Jamaica Market, we ere ready for lunch. Oskar took us across the street to a food court of sorts frequented by locals. He took us to the best place, where we were waited on by Mayeli. She took our drink and food orders. Soon a platter loaded with food was delivered to our table. With Oskar’s help, we had ordered huaraches costillas, a popular Mexican dish made from masa (corn) flour, pounded with pinto beans into an oblong shape, then fried. It’s then topped with cheese, onion, and a little salsa. Ours was served with beef (it was quite tough), fried nopales (cactus paddles), and a slice of avocado. It was too much to eat for lunch. I enjoyed the huarache and cactus, it was delicious and authentic.
Edgar, our driver, picked us up near the food court. As we were driving away, we noticed this huge garbage bin, half was trash, the other half was discarded plant material. Apparently, the city is trying to compost the organic material. I estimated the mound to be 15 feet high. It looked there were some people picking through the rubbish for usable stuff. Note the wreath and Santa Claus hanging above the entrance to the garbage heap.
The Zócalo
When Edgar dropped us off near the Zócalo (the main square) or formally known as the Plaza de la Constitución (Constitution Square), we bid him farewell and thanked him for safely transporting us around the city.
Our first stop on our walking tour of the city center was the Ho Chi Minh monument. At first, I was astounded and questioned Oskar, why this monument here in Mexico City? After all, he was the leader of North Vietnam and the Communist Party that the US was at war with for years. Oskar explained that present day Vietnam and Mexico are friendly. As a symbol of that friendship, the government of Vietnam designed and installed this monument to honor Ho Chi Minh. I had to remind myself that I wasn’t in the US. A sovereign nation such as Mexico is allowed to associate with whomever they want. We too are friendly with current day Vietnam but don’t think a monument such as this would go over in our country.
This photo tickles me with a streak of bird crap on his head and a guy napping in the chair. 
When Mexico City was constructing the subway system, the round Pyramid of Ehécatl was uncovered. This Aztec temple, built an estimated 650 years ago, was dedicated to the god of wind. Every day, thousands of commuters walk by this ancient temple, a few stop and take a look.
As we walked over to Constitution Square, we noticed the crowds frequenting the many shops along the main route. It was interesting to note that often shops selling the same merchandise were located near each other. For example, there were several shoe stores in a row, same with the perfume shops. They all seemed to be busy.
Near the square was the first hospital built in the city in 1524 by the Spanish Conquistador, Hernán Cortés. It still in use. We stepped into the peaceful courtyard for a brief respite from the hustle and bustle of the street.
We walked past the Supreme Court of Mexico.
Near the Supreme Court is this group of statues represents the founding of Tenochtitlan, the Capital of the Aztec Empire.
This the National Palace, the official residence of the President of Mexico. Constitution Square was filled with chairs and barricades. The President Claudia Steinbaum was speaking to the nation from the platform in front of the Palace on Sunday January 12. She would report on the accomplishments on the first 100 days since she took office. There were signs and banners all over the city, it promised to be a big event. Stay tuned to next week’s post where we’ll witness the crowds.
These crews in bright green uniforms were busy cleaning Constitution Square. From what I understand, when President Steinbaum was Mayor of Mexico City she hired crews to clean up public places after visitors commented on the trashy streets and sidewalks. It has made a significant difference in how the city looks.
We made a quick stop by the Gran Hotel to see its lavious lobby. The hotel, built in the late 1800s, overlooks the Presidential Palace and Constitution Square.It’s most impressive feature is the stained glass ceiling.
Also located on Constitution Square is the Metropolitan Cathedral of Mexico City (full name, Metropolitan Cathedral of the Assumption of the Most Blessed Virgin Mary into Heaven). The building of the church began in 1573 and was completed in 1813. That’s a long time! Of course over the years, there were renovations including successful attempts to stabilize the ground that the building sits on.
While the Cathedral is huge, I didn’t think it was as impressive as others that we’ve seen over the years. The interior was rather dark, probably due to the time when it was constructed. 
This is the Altar of Forgiveness near the front entrance to the church. There a lot of gold in this altar.
The main altar is the Altar of Kings in honor of the Spanish royalty. More gold in this altar.
These keys were included as part of a sculpture of Pope John Paul II that is in the courtyard of the Cathedral. The keys symbolize the love of the people of Mexico toward the Church and the Pope. He visited Mexico five times during his papacy.
Near the Cathedral is an UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Templo Mayor, the main temple of the Aztec nation. This temple was almost totally destroyed when the Spanish invaded Mexico City. Some of the stones from this temple were used in the construction of the Metropolitan Cathedral.
There were two pyramids on this site, one was dedicated to the god of war and the sun, and the other to the god of rain and agriculture. There is a museum nearby where visitors can learn more about the Aztec culture.
Our day ended with stop at the Museum Archive of Photography located right behind the Cathedral. While the public exhibit wasn’t extensive, it did provide a window into the archive held by the museum. They have photos that date to 1903. There were a number of photos from Cuba that both Oskar and I found interesting. 
Thanks to Oskar for a fun day seeing some of the sites in Mexico City. We only touched the surface, there’s a lot to see and do. And those wondering if it’s safe, it is.
Next week we begin our nine-day Discover Mexico Journey by National Geographic with G Adventures.
Until then, happy travels!
Tom
PS: Click here for a link to the post about my book “Farm Boy.” Contact me if you are interested in purchasing a copy. Thanks to all have plunked down your hard earned dollars and read the book. TM