MX: Day 2 Visit to the Zocalo

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Today was the first day of classes and it was a brutally long day. I was in class from 9 am to 8:30 ( I feel like I've been here for a week already. :)

The best part was visiting the Zocalo which is the main center of power and culture in all of Mexico. It's the site where the Aztecs first built their kingdom and the Spanish later built their biggest cathedral and the Palacios Nacional. It's one of the largest urban plazas in the world according to the guidebook.

Very humbling, though, to see this symbol of brutal colonialism -- the cathedral was built by tearing down the ancient pyramid and using the gray stones. The Aztecs were the slave laborers.

Here are a few photos. I plan to go back to visit the Aztec ruins another day.
 Cathedral
Aztec Pyramid Ruins
Main Basilica
Inside of Basilica, impressive gold Baroque and Gothic interior.

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