Trip to Mexico:Day 5 part 2

 

Monday afternoon allowed us siesta time. We had no specific plans for rest of the day. Decided to see one of the many parks spread within the city. It is called Parque Mexico ( Parkay Mehico). Everywhere we’ve been walking or driving around we see parks, some with dense woods, others with properly manicured gardens, some huge like the Chapultepec park, others medium sized and some small. But these parks allow the citizens space and time for recreation and relaxation on any day. That must be one of the reasons everyone looks pretty easy going, not hurried or stressed. Anytime we stopped to ask a person for directions or other information they were very helpful, not at all rushed or wary of strangers.

The city has buildings that reflect old Spanish architecture as well as a lot of modern buildings like we see in the USA. The roads are maintained well, traffic is organized and drivers are courteous to each other and to pedestrians. A few beggars and homeless people are seen here and there but overall people find themselves jobs to earn a living, even if it is a humble roadside vendor selling balloons, fruits or flowers. 

Parque Mexico is one of the larger parks surrounded by residential communities. It has nice paved walkways, bikeways, covered benches and well manicured gardens. There were covered walkways at places, their entrances decorated with trailing boughs of colorful bougainvillea. The park also was beautified with fountains and lakes and canals. Ducks, geese and swans flocked in the lake. 

It was Monday evening and yet lot of families with children were out there enjoying the evening. There was a play area for the kids. And adjacent to it was a fitness park for adults. More than people with kids there were people with dogs. I am not exaggerating when I tell you we saw a few hundred dogs at the park yesterday. Some were leashed, others not. These were dogs of all kinds of breeds, sizes, colors and not to forget, temperaments! Inside the park was a huge court dedicated for the dogs to play around. Dog trainers worked on some dogs here whereas other dogs were simply here to run around or socialize with fellow canines. 

There were young couples on dates enjoying secluded corners in the park. Several senior couples were spending relaxed time under the covered benches. A few of them were enjoying a picnic there. There were fruit and balloon vendors. We did indulge in a cup of sliced mango and pineapple. It was too good. 

As mentioned earlier the park had special bikeways . They also had rental bikes. It was tempting to take the opportunity to ride a bike. I just pretended to do that 😃. Relied on the two legs for most of the moving around in the park. We had entered the park while there was still good daylight but it was dark by the time we were ready to go find dinner. Thanks to our daughter’s skills to review restaurants with good local flavors and ability to navigate our way to these places we really have enjoyed a variety of foods during our stay. Last night was no different. She found this small place that had good reviews for its vegan tacos. There was a 30 minute wait for a table but it proved well worth. 

Another day spent well in this relaxed city/ country, 

 this one made allowance to change the saree for the evening walk. This too is a gift of love from a dear friend Reena Rathaur Mehta. My friend from school who is settled in Sydney. We met in Khopoli last November on occasion of another friend’s daughter’s wedding. What a lovely Ruby red Maheshwari with black and jari borders and ghicha pallu she picked for me!! A very light saree to carry around, it was really a joy to wear. Also perfectly suited for Valentine’s Day !