mexico city election day

today is a great day to be in mexico city.  its election day so everyone is out voting.  there are miles of people standing in line and police in full riot gear.  my hotel overlooks the zocalo, which is the absolute center of the city, and its surrounded by all the government buildings and cathedrals.

the square is filled with people lighting candles and holding prayer vigils for their candidates, camera crews filming at all the voting stations, and a giant stage is being built.  not sure for what, but maybe its for the winners acceptance?  a giant voting party?  who knows.  but that's where i'll be tonite.

i started my grid search of the city today, determined to find some cool stuff.  the first place i came to was the main cathedral.  lots of people going in so i followed (and no, dad, there was no earthquake or hellfire, its still standing).  as i wandered in i heard the processional start and thought that i may as well go to mass.  i think the last time i sat through church i was at the vatican, maybe 7 years ago?  so i figure its time again.  the incense brought back all those mixed memories of catholic youth, not only getting paddled by nuns but also church as a comfy place to take a nap.
ya gotta hand it to the catholics, though, i've been to mass at the vatican, in mexico city, and middleburg hts ohio and there's not a single difference.  way to stick to the plan.

next on my list was finding diego rivera's murals at palacio nacional.  didn't happen.  i walked and walked and couldn't find an open door, whether its because of elections or its sunday, i'm not sure, but i'll try again on tuesday.  same for trying to get into most other places, all closed today.

so keeping the cathedral's location in mind, i started wandering around the streets.  not looking for anything in particular, just sight seeing.  this place is crazy.  every store is open and all their goods are blocking the roads, each store with man calling out what he has for sale.  i walked for about 3 hours, when i finally realized that i'd forgetten where the cathedral was and had a moment of panic.  i worked up the courage to ask someone and leave it to me to approach the only crack whore on the street.  interesting conversation.  so i found a chubby older lady with some kids and asked her, all good.

and as i approached home the regular afternoon thunderstorm set in so this is a good time for a siesta before election day madness in the square starts.

dry day for elections?  i don't think so