7.6 Earthquake Rocks Mexico City Mid-Day

No, being on the subway in Mexico City during an earthquake was not on my Bucket List. But, I think that it's only fair to now add it to the list so that I can cross it off. The city was rockin' and rollin' for a bit at mid-day. Only some structural damage; no injuries reported. I happened to be on my way to La Raza Hospital to check out a mural. When I got there, this was the scene:

Earthquake? I thought it was our monthly fire drill! (staff at La Raza Hospital)

Well, as all travelers know, this was one of those Murphy's Law type of days. I did finally get inside the hospital only to be able to view the Rivera mural from about 50 feet away. Things were in a bit of a mess there (including some pieces of ceiling on the floor) and the doors leading up to the mural were chained shut.

                                                     The History of Medicine (1953).

Earlier in the day, I headed out of town to Texcoco to the Univeristy of Chapingo. More Murphy's Law! After a second class bus ride, a local town bus, and a collectivo I arrived at the beautiful agricultural college some 20 miles outside DF. I walked down the peaceful tree-lined path that would have been there when Diego painted the hacienda chapel. Upon reaching the chapel, to my disappointment, it was closed. In fact, most of the university was deserted! But, this is a school day, I shouted! What's going on? A teacher/worker's strike! Yes, the same one that I saw part of last weekend at the Zocalo in the capital. The university was closed down except for entrance to the grounds. Oh well, such things happen as one travels. I'll have to revisit it again on a later trip (at least I know how to get there now).

Former hacienda at Chapingo University.

This traveler can't be discouraged. I had not yet had my fill of Diego today. So, back in DF, I headed over to Santo Domingo Plaza to visit the Education Ministry (the guidebook said it was open until 6 pm, but you already know what kind of day this has been). No disappointments here! Rivera was commissioned to paint a series of 120 murals between 1923 and 1928 at the Ministry. Although I had visisted here before, I enjoyed today's visit as much as the first time. Check out Olga's website for many more images from the Ministry of education.

Mural detail for the Ministry of Education (1923).

A young Frida Kahlo at "The Arsenal".

Common Socialist Theme Seen in Rivera's Work - Solidarity!

Another Favorite Theme in Rivera's Work - Capitalism, Wealth, & Greed!

So much for working all day. It's time for a pint - a pint of pulque that is. Pulque is a fermented drink made from the agave plant that goes back over 2,000 years to Aztec times. Today, it has found a renaissance with college students as their drink of choice. Pulquerias like La Risa (just around the corner from my hotel) can be loud and crowded. Although there is white pulque, most people seem to drink the flavored (curados) variations. It's a bit like an alcoholic smoothie! The flavor of the day on Tuesday is strawberry. Cheers!

La Risa - Oldest Pulqueria in the City (1909).

Tomorrow: Chapultepec Park