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Xochimilco

Just south of Mexico City, the City of the God of the Sea is renowned for its chinampas and boat tours along the canals, reminiscent of ancient days when Tenochtitlan emerged as a city from the water. Xochimilco is perhaps the last living link to Aztec civilization, a place where the past and present converge to demonstrate that history can continue to be written without overthrowing what is legitimate and integrating the new. Flowers and plants play a significant role whenever you visit the market and marina, as the practice of floriculture has adorned the chinampas with vibrant colors since the first settlers settled there, becoming the primary occupation of its inhabitants.

The presence of flowers is so vital in Xochimilco that its name means "field of flowers" in Nahuatl. Another tradition that proclaims its reverence is the beauty contest "The Most Beautiful Flower of the Ejido," where the community accepts and chooses one of its inhabitants as a worthy representative of their roots with a pre-Hispanic dance in honor of Xochiquetzal, goddess of flowers and beauty. It is home to hundreds of species of flora and fauna, the most famous perhaps being the axolotl.

But Xochimilco not only offers an impressive natural environment but is also a treasure trove of culture and traditions. Here, you can enjoy live Mexican music and folklore as mariachis and other musical groups enliven the atmosphere with their talent and joy. Moreover, the food stalls along the canals offer a delicious variety of traditional dishes, such as Mexican antojitos and the famous mole.

Xochimilco has also been adapted for the big screen, where Dolores del Río embodies María Candelaria, a flower vendor whose tale of love and tragedy can only be captured by Emilio "El Indio Fernández" and the cinematographer Gabriel Figueroa. The landscape filled with ahuejotes and cayucos floating on the lake is an inspiring image, and fortunately, we can still witness it today.

The Xochimilco neighborhood is located 43 kilometers from the historic center of Mexico City and can be reached by private car or public transportation. If you're ready to embark on your trajinera adventure while listening to a trio of mariachis, we recommend visiting this destination between February and November to avoid rainy days.

 

MÉXICO
ESTA ESPERANDOTE

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