The hot dog.
 

I spent to day in full tourist mode. Later, I had waited to late to eat in the regular places, so I went for a walk and found a place open. Struggling to order I went to anouher table and pointed at the woman's empty plate and said 'Sameo ,sameo'. I had no idea what to expect, I got a tasty hot dog....for $30 ($2.25us)

For my fellow gearheads
 

I had never seen oil of these weights nor antifreese in quarts. When I pasted these guys they were 'brakeing the bead' taking the tire off the wheel. I thought.'hey ,I've got some tools and.. ' I turned around and by the time I got back to them the tire was repaired and back on the bike! I asked and he showed me the pump. I now have a pump like that. Notice they are traveling on freeway ,two up, on a 200cc bike. For those not old enough to know, this new motor looks just like a 1967 Honda 90.

Into a Mexico City Love Hotel
 

On the ride toward Mexico city,I felt good and resolved to ride on thru the city that day rather than wait. I wanted the swagger element of riding through the largest city in the world. Quietly between me and myself. I got about 2/3 of the way thru and traffic pretty much stopped. I found a motel expecting to finish the job in the morning. Much confusion about renting the room. I was told (with gestures) to pull the bike into the garage. The only way in or out was thru the garage. I could not get a key from them! Someone will be watching the door at all times. It was a love hotel. Rent it for four hours and nobody can tell if you're there. I am willing to belive that there is a lot of sliping around in Mexico, as there is a lot of these hotels. It was a very nice place. Roomy, tastefully done, flat screen, glass wall between the shower and the main room. All night for $270 ($20.10us).

A couple of days with Pepe
 

Pepe ,from the HU community, showed up after several e-mails made it clear that phone calls and directions would not be efective in my finding his place. Turns out he is a Bucawski (sp) reader,a Johnny Cash fan,( I had no idea Mr.Cash could be so dark and brooding) rides his BMW GS in that excellant, 'no fuss , no bother, get across town rather quickly' style that many BMW guys have. Not really that easy to follow. We ran an errand downtown, got something to eat on the street and then hiked up to the 4th floor to his place. Did I mention that Mexico is about 6000 feet above sea level and the air is a little thin. It is also cooler , most need a light jacket in the evening. His place is done in the morden, miniumalist style.

On to the city
 

Along with his Gs1150 Adventure BMW that he rode to Peru and nearby countries six years ago, Pepe has this darling 748 Ducati with all the right pieces. How I would love to ride and destroy that thing at my 'home track', Barber Raceway. At least ,pretty much use it up. But, what we did was, get on the subway and go to the 'Zocalo' and nearby musium, church, etc. The Zocalo is the large open area downtown where people gather. The subway was everything I never heard about subways. It was clean, safe, handy and cheap $5 I think it was. Maybe less. (.$.35us). Not a bike ride and 'ya gotta share ur space' with others but, works in so many ways. Also, there is no 'loser stigma' about useing mass transit here. The highest ranking Bishop in Mexico works at this church. Not much like the Baptist (etc) churches of the deep south.

Cops on the Zolaco
 

Views of goverment buildings on the Zolaco. Often this area is very crowded. The very well equiped police are ever present and do almost nothing in regards to traffic. This day, these guys have no guns and are like security guards and provide a quiet show of strenth. Other times they have ak-47 like pieces at the ready. I've seen several police cars from Dodge in Mexico. The story is, the Aztecs wandered the desert untill they found an eagle killing a snake and founded their empire on the spot. History does seem to work that way.....

On the zocalo
 

We have another somber guard, this time at the big church. Two real shamans cleansing souls a few feet away and an aztec dancer guy. In case of earthquake, go to the green and white sign. Lots of those signs.

In da musium
 

About 30 years ago, while digging a foundation for a new building, a pyramid was found. Right in the middle of Mexico City. So a new plan was had and now they have a world class musium. Turns out that the pyramid had been inlarged several times. They just built a new bigger one over the old one. They had 7pyramids, one inside another. Looking across the ruins, you can see the church and beyond that is the Zocalo. Inside the musium proper, I found among other things, the piece that relates to the 'broken woman' that gets born again, whole. I found of intrest the Rain God with it's tears, the Eagle God of War that would wear human skins gathered from the other ceramonies. And of cosrse I took a few minutes with the God of Death, with his liver hanging out. The liver was thought to have something to do with the underworld. It was a great day.

Return home and off again on a Turibus (tour-ri-buus')
 

Pepe would lead me on these 6 hour walking tours. (forced march) Did I mention that this city is over 5000 feet in elavation and my stomach, while not keeping me at the house, was not quite right at all. I was not at my best but mostly I kept up and was glad for the just about everything. That is Pepe's BMW parked on the street and at the bottom of that staircase, under a grey bike cover, is my KLR. The cop did not mind his foto taken this way but did not his face recorded. We shook hands and had a pleasent exchange. Apparently he was guarding something imporant. I paid $3or $4us for a ride around the city on this bus.

Just a few of the more stunning pieces in Mexico City
 

enjoy....

A few more daring pieces
 

When I struggled with the ear phone system, that guy on the right with the woman, came foward and asked if he could help. Thank you, again.

An Angel, a Greek Goddess, some naked guys, and a bench
 

Right in the middle of the street!

Sunday morning at Tres Marias
 

Some of the crowd, a real midget, a pricey duck and a few guys.

A little more
 

Some guys and only one doing stunts...

And a bull fight in the afternoon
 

I thought that they had a token woman in the ring. It has got to boost ticket sales. My first bull fight, but soon I thought Carls de Los Angelus was quite daring and stood close to the bull as it charged. I was right. It went all wrong and it sure looked like I saw her hurt. But not so much that she couldn't go back and continue. Pretty soon she was on the ground again. She got up a lot slower this time.