Goodbye, DF

 Ah, el Distrito Federal! Capital city of Mexico, pulsing heart of the nation, by some standards the largest city in the world....is no more!

You see, Mexico's Congress has just voted to bring the city where roughly 1/6 of the population lives out of political limbo and make it a full-fledged part of the country.

Now the old DF will become officially known as 'Mexico City' and Mexico's 32nd state. The reform was largely pushed by the left-wing PRD party, which controls the city government. The measure was approved by 23 states.

Now, what about Washington DC?

Viajes Mexicanos: Guachimontones

Sure, we've all seen pyramids. But have you ever seen CIRCULAR PYRAMIDS?:

Who built them, and why? Nobody seems to know for sure. They are not burial chambers - there's nothing inside. The surrounding areas have rectangular 'courts' for playing of a lacrosse-like game which acted as their court system (the loser was not favored by the gods, and so lost the trial).

The mysteries of Mexico continue....

Why Join the Foreign Service? Part III

“To my mind, the greatest reward and luxury of travel is to be able to experience everyday things as if for the first time, to be in a position in which almost nothing is so familiar it is taken for granted.”

- Bill Bryson

Viajes Mexicanos: San Miguel de Allende

San Miguel de Allende is a picturesque little town in the mountains of Guanajuato:

 The winding, cobblestone streets can take some getting used to, and the altitude can be a challenge for those of delicate constitution.

 Still, SMdA is undeniably charming and full of character, will a village-like air. Like many Mexican cities, it is based around a central square dominated by a large cathedral:

 Over the years, the town has become home to large numbers of artists (particularly painters) and American expats. This has led to a profusion of high-end restaurants, silly-expensive real estate, souvenir shops, and art galleries:

 As a tourist site, I highly recommend it for the shopping alone. It is one of those places with few specific destinations or sights/ Simply amble through the town and enjoy it.