Today is Maggie's 17th birthday! We started the celebration last night at 7-Eleven, which is two doors down from our hotel, after the ballet with ice cream bars. I introduced my students to Magnum brand "helados", which is a brand we don't have back home. Wonderful!
Fortunately, Maggie loves sunflowers and really liked her gift!
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Next, we went to Xochimilco, some of the few remaining canals from the original Aztec city here, and had a picnic lunch on a boat. 
The next morning, 
we headed out to a local market where they sell fresh fruits, vegetables, flowers, meat, etc. Students were paired up and given a smll slip of paper asigning them a task: for example, "Find the price of a bird of pradise flower." or "How many diferent colors of beans can you find?" Then, each pair also was given a small amount of money to buy a particular item, which was later use for our lunch!
we headed out to a local market where they sell fresh fruits, vegetables, flowers, meat, etc. Students were paired up and given a smll slip of paper asigning them a task: for example, "Find the price of a bird of pradise flower." or "How many diferent colors of beans can you find?" Then, each pair also was given a small amount of money to buy a particular item, which was later use for our lunch!In addition, Sam picked out a flower especially for 
Maggie for her birthday. It was a difficult decision, since there were so many to choose from. Finally, she decided on a sunflower, since that seemed like a typical Mexican flower. Plus it was the largest one we could find and we thought that would be obnoxious and funny.
Maggie for her birthday. It was a difficult decision, since there were so many to choose from. Finally, she decided on a sunflower, since that seemed like a typical Mexican flower. Plus it was the largest one we could find and we thought that would be obnoxious and funny. 
Fortunately, Maggie loves sunflowers and really liked her gift!Next, we visited the castle of Maximilian and Carlota in Chapultapec Park (shown below, with Rory at the bottom right).
The castle's terraces offered great views of the city!
Next, we went to Xochimilco, some of the few remaining canals from the original Aztec city here, and had a picnic lunch on a boat. While on the boat, we were entertained by a floating mariachi group that even new "Besame Morenita", my favorite song from "La Catrina"!
On the way back to the hotel, we toured the
Friday Kahlo home/museum. Below is a picutre of my three students on a landing of stairs at her house.
On the way back to the hotel, we toured the
Friday Kahlo home/museum. Below is a picutre of my three students on a landing of stairs at her house.That night, we went out to dinner at a restaurant called Charco de las Ranas, . . .
. . .sang Feliz Cumpleaños to Maggie . . .
. . .sang Feliz Cumpleaños to Maggie . . .. . . and shared some strawberry cheesecake 
from Panadera Ideal (the bakery we visited earlier in the trip) to celebrate her birthday. This was Maggie's first birthday away from her twin brother Will, so it was difficult for her, so we tried to make it extra special. I think she really appreciated our efforts.
from Panadera Ideal (the bakery we visited earlier in the trip) to celebrate her birthday. This was Maggie's first birthday away from her twin brother Will, so it was difficult for her, so we tried to make it extra special. I think she really appreciated our efforts.On the way back to the hotel, we stopped at the 
Torre Latinoamericana, the 3rd largest building in Mexico City. To the right is a picture of Rory with the tower in the background. He is standing in front of the Monument to Benito Juarez at the entrance to the Alameda Park.
From the viewing platforms atop this 45-story building, Mexico looked spectacular!
Torre Latinoamericana, the 3rd largest building in Mexico City. To the right is a picture of Rory with the tower in the background. He is standing in front of the Monument to Benito Juarez at the entrance to the Alameda Park.
From the viewing platforms atop this 45-story building, Mexico looked spectacular!We took our time atop the building, which allow me to ponder the view from 597 feet above the city. From that height at night, all the grime, poverty and decaying buildings disappeared among the darkness and sparkling lights. It was very beautiful. In some ways, it reminded me of E.St.Louis after a snow. The fresh white blanket covers all the grime, poverty and decaying buildings and the view above from Interstate 64 can be beautiful as well. However, eventually, the snow melts over E.St.Louis and the sun rises over Mexico City. I hope some day, both cities will enjoy the new life of a warm spring day.
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