Our first stop was the Palacio de Bellas Artes, which I was lucky enough to get inside this time...and was it a treat. The beaux arts facade belies the marvelous Art Deco/Ne0-Mexica interior....and while I knew there were Rivera murales inside, I didn't realize their scope or the diversity of artists represented...for instance the Sequiros nude in agnoy below right.
Being early Deciembre, the Zocalo was in full chirstmas spirit, even if the weather was not.
And then sometimes one is reminded, particularly in the less wealthy areas, just how many people call this valley home.
This time I made it into el Palacio Nacional, which is an archetypal example of how Mexican architects are interested in the spirt of symmetry if not necessarily the reality of such. Likewise with straight perspective lines. Its the ghosts of the mexicas buried beneath lake Tezcoco taking revenge on the classical influence of western architecture. Take that Alberti!
Like wise the courtyard, which is ringed by Rivera murals depicting the life of Mexico City before, during and after the Spanish came to crash the party.
And while the US portends to it's vehement seperation of church and state, in Mexico one can find a church inside the traditional home of both the executive and legislative branch. That altar must be rather weighty...
And since this was a day of repetition, I found my way back up in the Torre Latino, which afforded as excellent a view of the city as ever, being centrally located in a valley. 
It is also an excellent place to observe the choke hold the automobile has here. In cases like that below, I know from personal experience you do much better on foot.
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