Day 4 - Tamayo Museum and Archeological Museum

Today we planned to see the National Palace. Again today it was surrounded by Mexican troops. I am not sure what is going on, but they obviously don’t want to be bothered by any Gringo tourists.

The rest of the day went much better.  We decided to go to the Tamayo Art Museum and the Archeological museum.  

 The Tamayo Museum was good but not great. Nevertheless one of the exhibits was a group of interviews with about 8 science fiction writers done in 1963. They conversed with each other about various topic in the future- population control, travel to space, new drugs to expect and what they will do, what the world will look like in 100 years, the American system vs. the Communist system and how it will all turn out. Truckee and I both found it fascinating. We watched the entire hour and a half or so together and enjoyed every minute- what a couple of nerds. The panel included Robert Heilen, Arthur C. Clark, Ray Bradbury and Issac Asimov. The others, neither Truckee nor I knew their names. 

Then we went to the Archeological Museum.  I am still trying to recover.  It was completely overwhelming and wonderful at the same time.  It took civilization by civilization in Mexico from the preclassical period up to the Spanish Invasion.  It began with the early peoples of Mexico, then to those who lived there from say 2000 BC. And as we went through the artifacts got more and more spectacular. I am still trying to get my head around it. It was dark and 6 pm by the time we got to the last two halls (on the first floor), so we could not do them justice- That was the Mayans and the Gulf Cultures. You and I will have to go back there soon.  I took lots of photos and also of the explanations in Spanish that I will work through at some other time.  

My overall conclusion was that despite a few difficult cultural propensities, like human sacrifice,  these people of Mexico were socially and artistically incredibly sophisticated. The amount and quality of art in this collection is astounding.  It still takes my breath away to think about it.  

When we came out of the museum, the temperature had dropped about 15 degrees. We decided to walk to a neighborhood nearby that we had found out about yesterday.  We ate at a wonderful restaurant.  We had some Mexican wine, very good and delicious meat empanadas.  Truckee ordered rack of lamb and I had a steak. Both were fabulous.  I had more interesting meals yesterday and the day before. Both of those meals included cactus, which I found very delicious- not as a main, but as a base for the meat.

Today we had a the dual experience of traveling on the subway and on a bus.  The subway seems great, if not a little crowded- the buses would take longer to expound about. But as Truckee said, “Well I can cross that off my bucket list now.”

And so tomorrow we must get up early- 8 am- early for us- and go to Teotihuacan. It is about an hour away. Truckee is stoaked to climb the temple of the sun. I might the temple of the moon a try.  Nevertheless,  I should go to sleep now.