Mexico 2024 – Bats, Kiosko, Santa Maria de Ribera

In Chapultepec Park there was a bat theme happening just before we left. Entering the park, visitors were greeted by these big bats. (In Spanish murciélagos, a creepy name.)

Just inside the entrance to the park, there was a stunning photographic exhibit of bats that are found on a particular island where they congregate.

On the recommendation of my friend, Jaap, we went to see the Morisco Kiosk (Kiosco Morisco) and explore the surrounding Santa Maria de Ribera neighbourhood. The kiosk is built in the neo-Mudejar architectural style that was prevailing in Spain in the 19th century. It is completely made of wrought iron with a glass cupola dome at the top. The kiosk is made of panels that can be disassembled and moved if needed. The Morisco Kiosk was built by José Ramón Ibarrola as the Mexico Pavilion at the 1884 World’s Fair in New Orleans then used for the Saint Louis Exposition in 1902 after which it was brought back to Mexico.

Just across the street from the Kiosco is the Museo del Instituto de Geología de la UNAM, a geology museum operated by the University. The displays weren’t much but the building itself was remarkable.

Santa Maria de Ribera is an old and diverse neighbourhood with all sorts of architecture.

And flowers……….

Mexico 2024 – bits and bobs

Fun with a balcony

The tree and the car need help

A beautiful and elegant ($$$) antique mall in Zona Rosa

International Women’s Day, March 8, is a very big deal in Mexico. Not surprising as 10 women are killed every day.

Ahh, those gorgeous jacarandas

A flower among flowers

A group of architects has been staying at Anys during the week since last August and they drive back to Puebla where they live every weekend. They have a big project here in CDMX that necessitates them being here and they spend all day every day in the garden area with their computers often working late into the night. We’ve come to be friends with them and have had some lovely game nights where we were introduced to Rumicub and showed them how to play 5 crowns. This is Daniela, one of them who found this injured little dog by the side of the freeway on one of their trips back to Mexico City. That is one lucky dog. She would have died there by the road if Daniela hadn’t brought her here, cared for her, took her to the vet, named her Atena and kept her until she was back on her feet then gave her to a good friend where she’ll be loved and cared for.

Mexico 2024 – UNAM

Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), National Autonomous University of Mexico was founded in 1551 by the Catholic Church under the Spanish crown, became a national university in 1910 and in 1929 became the autonomous university it is now with an enrollment of just over 350,000 making it one of the biggest universities in the world. On campus there are many notable artworks by Diego Rivera, Rufino Taymayo and David Siqueiros but probably the best known is the six story library building that was completely muralized by Juan O’Gorman, one of Mexico’s most eminent artists. It is an eyeful.

Each of the four sides of the building represent an era of Mexican history.

The murals are actually made up of these coloured stones.

Some other pieces located around a huge commons.

Some contemporary murals

The Museum of Contemporary Art is also located on campus. Designed by Teodoro González de León, it is the first museum in Mexico to display only art created in the 21st century.

A Rufino Tamayo sculpture out front

A tile car just inside

Some pieces from the exhibits there

And back home to our little garden hideaway