Arrival
I have been preparing for this trip about a week in advance. My flight left Cinco de Mayo (fitting) with my dad and another Mexico iSEED student, Callum. My dad decided he needed a break from work and will be traveling around Mexico for the month I am here. He decided to stay with me in Mexico City for the first week, since he and my family are considering moving here within the next year. He is also a native Spanish speaker, so all throughout the week I was able to travel and talk to locals efficiently. When I got to the terminal, I met some architecture students also on our flight. It was nice to see someone familiar and we talked about meeting up later throughout the week, which we did. We flew into Felipe Ángeles International Airport, a brand new airport (which was veryyy nice). We then took a bus to Mexico City, which was about an hour drive. For the rest of the day, I didn’t rest much, I went out and explored the city. Also, we didn’t have class on Monday as well, so I also explored the city. The details can be found in the ‘excursions’ tab of this blog.
1st Week of Class
Tuesday, May 7th
Our first day of class was a traveling class, like the rest of the week. We went to Chapultepec Park to look at the exhibits talking about the history of the park. Lots of the history was surrounded by the history of water scarcity. The Aztecs used to have a natural water source located within the city, but when the Spainards took over, they drained it and were never able to recover it. We also talked about the history of the aqueducts of the city, located within the park. We walked about 2-3 miles around the park, going from exhibits to exhibits. Lots of the monuments around the park are centered around the cities need for water.
The Battle for Mexico City monument, made up of marble and surrounding the women who represents Mexico City.
The group walking around areas that were historically bodies of water.
The entire group by the statue representing why Mexico City was established on an island
We also visited Fuente de Tlaloc which is a large fountain meant to be seen from the sky, by Diego Rivera. It is meant to honor the Aztec god of water. It is mosaic and really emphasizes the importances of water. There was also an indoor mural by him where it used to be under water.
The mural shows the flow of water through everyone, and the female and male Aztec gods.
I thought this mural was especially interesting because it honors the engineers and architects of water projects, which in history go unrecognized.
After this, as a group we ate lunch on a lake near the park.
lunch on the lake
Then for lecture, we discussed, why out of all places, we wanted to study water in Mexico City. We also talked about the real world constrains on being able to provide clean water to a city like Mexico City.
Wednesday, May 8th
We visited the Centro this day. First, we went to the Hacedores makers space, one of the first ‘makers space’ (like an engineering kitchen) in Mexico City. We talked about the importance of a makers space to education. We also were able design projects on our own. We started with wiring a heart so it can light up and be put on a lanyard. Then, we designed a car so that it would be the fastest. Unfortunately, my team did not win but it was so much fun to see everyone so excited to compete.
Lecture about Hacedores Makerspace.
Our groups after the competition and with the starter of Hacedores
After the Hacedores Makerspace, we visted the Museo del Templo Mayor. Here, we saw the ruins of the pyramid that was torn down by the Spanish.
The ruins of the pyramid. The pyramid also had water constructions around it.
We also explored around the museum to discover more about the indigenous people. How much they valued water, that they honored the city after it. They also settled Mexico City around an island, which has now been drained to become one solid land. Therefore, with the land being susceptive to water, it is causing the city to sink and struggle with flooding. At the time, it was used for agriculture and providing water to the crops.
Thursday, May 9th
Today we visited Xochimilco, a city on the outskirts of Mexico City about an hour away. We visited a local community to discover their way of irrigation. We drove in a van, then had to travel through a boat to get to the island of the farm.
The travel to Xochimilco was very scenic.
It was traditional and in aligns with the families culture. Here, they followed this process:
This is the farming process
Nutrient/water recovery
The plants were planted in a very specific way such that they had enough room to grow and so that the soil wouldn’t be exhausted. There was no modern technologies used, and everything planted using manual labor.
young crops after being planted using small holes in the soil
The plants are then broken apart and then replanted.
The plants being separated
Many plants were also specific to how much sunlight they needed to they made mesh covers to allow some shading
The plants were also organized based on how much nutrients they use
We also learned how a biofilter was used in this scenario. The lakes surrounding was made up of treated wastewater. So, it was high in metals. Therefore, these plants filtered out these metals, allowing them to extract this water and use it to water the plants. They used water cans to water the plants.
specific plants that filter the metals (biofilter)
After, to help the farm, we pulled out all of the weeds of a section of carrot plants. It was very hard labor but it showed us all what goes into this method of farming.
After, there was a cute cat that was very sweet.
Friday, May 10th
Our last class day in Mexico City we spent at Isla Urbana. Isla Urbana is a company built on solving the water crisis through rainwater harvesting. Rain water harvesting is something that is used already in Mexico City and all over the world. We talked about the current ways to get water in Mexico City, many of showed of inequality and were unreliable. We learned what they hope to see in the future.
How water can be something that is more equal to all areas
They discussed their company’s real world restrains, such as design and implication processes.
Their summarized process
We then took a look about their design as of right now and how it worked.
How their design works with rain
The different tools used inside the water tank to make clean water
As a CEVE student who has taken classes on water filtration at big scales, it was interesting to see this at such a small level. We also learned that harvesting isn’t just something you an install and forget about but it requires maintenance and upkeep.
The different filters that were sold at the office, creating different water qualities
To finish the last day of classes in Mexico City, we had a celebration lunch at a local restaurant. It was really nice to have discussions with the professors, to put everything in perspective.
Excursions:
The first day, I ate at ojo de aqua (very yummy fresh foods). Then, I visited parque Mexico. I sat and people watched for about 30 minutes, but I felt as if I could’ve been there all day
parque Mexico
After, I went to departmento for some nice music and drinks. The next day, I woke up bright and early to visit Panaderia Rosetta, more later. Then I visited a world-famous library, known for its amazing, floating shelves.
Biblioteca Vasconcelos
Then, I visited Plaza Rio de Janerio. There was a statue that was an imitation of the greek art and artist, Michelangelo.
The statue that is in the middle of the plaza.
Then, I visited the Hello Kitty Cafe, which is basically her mansion. There was a tour of her bedroom, birthday party, and more. I took tons of pictures but here is a few!
The coffee bar
The entrance
The coffee shop
Next, I visited Museo Soumaya, where Mexico’s richest man shares his art collection to the public, for free! The outside itself is an art piece.
museo soumaya outside with hexagon tiles
The museum had five stories, with each story being a different theme. There was Greek art, pre-Hispanic art, indigenous art, to an art collection dedicated to his wife.
The entrance of the museum.
The halls
I also ate in Roma Northe, a city named after Rome. Here, I ate the best Italian EVER. Homemade pasta. I’m not sure i’ll ever go back to normal pasta.
The next day, I spent in the centro.
The main square surrounded by the presidential palace.
After, we visited gran hotel. It was beautiful and there was an rooftop where I had a really great chocolate milk!
gran hotel
more of el centro
I also visited China Town this day. I searched for a restaurant with dumplings because I was craving some and I was not disappointed. I also had a sweet baozi, which was the closest thing I could find to its name. It was so unique. They steamed these balls of bread with hot liquid inside. They had a bunch of crazy flavors but I choose duvalin. It was soo yummy to my surprise and if I had the chance to go back, I would get a pack!
CDMX China Town, Barrio Chino
sweet baozi (I think is the name)
On Saturday, I visited el Chopo, a market full of alternative style clothing, accessories, etc. I bought unique jewelry, a bag, a hoodie, and a plushie. There was thousands of people dressed goth, alternative. I was even front row of the moshing group. If I didn’t have a white shirt, I would’ve joined. I also visited the mall near by, which was huge. I stayed for the food court, mochi, and watching a live band. After, I visted El Parián.
El Parián which had shops, cafes, and restaurants
After, I visited my favorite park, parque mexico. I stayed here for an hour, just enjoying the aroma. Then, I had a goodbye dinner with my dad at Blanco Colima, which was a beyond five star restaurant. Here, I had a steak that was so red I wasn’t sure about first, but ended up being so tender and great. Service was so nice, they wouldn’t even let you turn on the sink for yourself in the restaurant lol.
Blanco Colima
Coffee
Panderia Rosetta was my favorite coffee shop by far, I visited twice. They are famous for their roll with a rare fruit, which I did have. I went once on a Saturday morning, and it was impossible to get a seat and lines were out the door, but still we got our things and ate in a small bench inside.
The indoors of one location
The first location I visited, with my chai latte
Me Kiana and Callum walked to this coffee shop about 20 minutes away from our hostel for a quick pick me up.
blend station coffee
The last coffee shop was a cafe and library mix. They had books in English, architecture books, and small knickknacks.
Library cafe
Takeaways
There is no single thought of a Mexican when I think of Mexican culture. Even in CDMX, there is a distinct culture. Also, there is no single ‘engineer’. Of course we have different fields, but we all have different goals and processes. However, the shared objective is to work for the greater good of human society.
-Gwyneth Perez