Tepotzotlan
 
Once again, we leave Mexico City. This ancient capital city of the new world preserves a rich indian and colonial history. That's a place we really appreciated and where we felt safe. The variety of monuments has strenghthened our love for this megalopole.
 
We get back to our camper by the end of the morning.
 
What a pleasure to find it back eventhough, it needs some cleaning.
 
We spend our day dispatching the 60 kg of luggage we brought back from France....and do some shopping.
 
Our second day here is spent organizing the camper and finding a hospital to take off the 7 stiches on Christophe's finger (not sure the place we went to, deserves the title of " hospital "... but they made it )
 
Now part of Grand Mexico " Tepotzotlan " is a small colonial town.
 
It's a high symbol of colonialism as " The Jesus Compagny " was there to evangilize the sons of indian chiefs.
 
* Museo National Del Virreinato : In this museum, paintings, pieces of furniture, clothes and artefacts relate the colonial history of The Nueva Espana. It's located in a vast complex made of a church, cloisters, chapels and gardens. It was as much a place of worship as a place where the jesuits and franciscans studied from the 16th century on.
 
* Iglesia San Francisco Javier : Built at the end of the 17th century, this majestic baroque church is famous for its churrigueresque facade, decorated with a lot of " Estipites " (pillars getting thiner at their bottom part). The interior has got spendid gold covered carved altarpices and somptuous chapels. We loved this place.
Mexico
 
At last, it's time to go and we're very excited to get back to our camper and to start new adventures.
 
During this 2 months break, it's been a real pleasure to meet our families and friends...How great it was to share the last news and enjoy good foods...We promise ! We come back next year !
 
But now, let's go back to our world tour.
 
We arrived in " Mexico City " after a 11 h 30 flight on Air France.
 
At the terminal, 2 of our 3 suitcases arrive immediatly. The last one, at the very end and without its locker !!!
 
As soon as we take it, we're beeing asked to follow a customs officer for inspection.
 
He checked our suitcases and asked us to pay a 16% tax on the imported items
( oil filters, gasoil filters and air filters..about 10 kg).
 
Because it's impossible to find these parts in Mexico, we had to bring them with us from France.
 
35 euros ! Lucky enough,  he didn't  understand a word of our invoices and didn't see all the other items we brought with us.
 
Finally we take a Uber to reach our hotel, and try not to fall asleep (jetlag is 7 hours).
 
We spend the next 2 days visiting the last museums and quaters we didn't explore before leaving.
 
* Museo Franz Mayer : a very good collection of applied and decorative arts from the colonial time, housed in a 16th century building which was once an hospital. Superb !
 
* Museo National De Arte : Impressive neoclassical architecture. A 3 floor-high semi circle window in a marble and bronze double staircase.This museum displays a very wide range of mexican art.
 
San Angel à Coyoacan
 
San Angel : This old village is now a very chic neigbourhood of the capital city.
The cobblestone streets are fringed by old colonial buildings and beautiful massive trees.
 
Today is saturday, and " La Plaza San Jacinto " hosts " El Bazar Del Sabado " with its mexican stalls.
 
All along this nice walk we visit :
 
* Museo De La Casa Del Risco " : Paintings of the colonial time take place in this 18th century palace. In the covered patio, is a fantastic fountain, made of Talavares (ceramica from Puebla) and chineese and japanese porcelain.
 
* Ex-convento Del Carmen : Founded in 1615, it's an ancient carmelite school converted into a museum. Momified monk bodies are displayed in the crypt. Not our cup of tea!
 
* Capella de San Antonio Panzacola : Litte 17th century chapel with a dark red facade. Surprising !
 
Coyoacan ou " Lieu des Coyotes " : The bohemian neigbourhood is now
" The Place " for all kind of artists, writters and intelectuals.
 
Thats here that " Hernan Cortes " lived while the actual " Mexico City " was being rebuilt in a spanish style.
 
* Avenida Franscico Sosa : The most attractive street and also the oldest colonial avenue in latin america. On each side are  beautiful historical houses built by rich families of the colonial time.
 
* Iglesia de la Conchita : A little tiny church with a fine mudejar style facade.
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