The Murals

We took the metro from La Condesa to Zocalo, the historic center of Mexico City, and an enormous plaza, which was the center of the recent demonstrations after the presidential election. Each side of this plaza has an important and significant building.

On one side is the Cathedral Metropolitana, where we watched a modern-day Quasimodo move from one bell to the next until they were all ringing in an incredible symphony.

On another side stands the Palacio Nacional, the seat of government, which includes the chamber where the constitution was written. What's most remarkable about this building are the murals of Diego Rivera, which tell the story of Mexico from the arrival of Quetzalcoatl through the Spanish conquest, to the revolution and establishment of modern Mexican government.

It's hard to describe the power of these murals. Huge panels surround a large, central staircase.

The story of the exploitation of the Aztec natives and subsequent founding of the Mexican state is simultaneously breathtaking and heartbreaking.

Walk along the gallery, and more panels depict the lifestyle and culture of the Aztecs before the Spanish. You can recognize the wide lake bed underlying Mexico City today, and feel the rhythms of agricultural life.