Mexico Cathedral, the main square Mexico City, well it is huge and it is old. The origin of the Mexico City goes back to 1235 when Aztecs built here their capital. Over the centuries it has grown to over 2o million agglomeration. Such a big concentration of people means that the pollution is high. I heard that it has improved drastically in recent years but still my nose and lungs had a shock treatment. I have been only once to the center of the city and I nearly suffocated. My breathing went so shallow that I got scared. The Oblate seminary where I am staying is some distance from the CBD so it isn’t so bad but still I can smell smog. I guess that the location of the city doesn’t help to solve the pollution problem. The Mexico City is located 2200 meters above sea level. The peak of Mt Kosciuszko in the Snowy Mountains reaches this level and it is the highest mountain in Australia. Here it is the level where more than 20 million people live. Approximately the city is 60 kilometers long and 40 kilometers wide. In this area there is a population similar to the whole Australian population. There is no doubt that in Australia we’ve got a living space. To make things more interesting the city is surrounded on three sides by mountains and volcanoes. That’s why the polluted air cannot get out of the valley. As I was flying into the city I could observe a drastic change in the cloud layer, it turned into darkish color. First I thought there was some storm activity but it was pollution. For a few days I have been here it feels very weird as it is hazy most of the time.
I was surprised when I saw so much military personnel in the city. Apparently that’s every day scene observed here. They are needed to keep order in this overpopulated place. On the lighter note I found it funny that at intercessions with traffic lights there are police officers managing the flow of the vehicles. I was explained that they are needed because nobody pays attention to the lights. Drivers go through cross roads at the red light.
Another thing that has struck me is food everywhere. If there is some space of the side road or between buildings there is somebody cooking and selling food. I have smelled so much food that I feel full for a few weeks. Eating is the national hobby of the Mexicans. They seem to eat everywhere and all the time.
It is such a big difference to our Aussie cities which seem to be extremely slow and tidy in comparison to the Mexico City.
This giant city presents also a big challenge for the Church. It used to be a catholic place through and through. These days people are still religious in terms of having holy pictures and statues at home but it doesn’t go much deeper. They will cross themselves walking in front of a church but they will not cross the gate of the church. Probably that’s why Our Lady of Guadalupe chose this city for her shrine so that the light of faith and divine love could enlighten the city which struggles not only with pollution and congestion.
I was surprised when I saw so much military personnel in the city. Apparently that’s every day scene observed here. They are needed to keep order in this overpopulated place. On the lighter note I found it funny that at intercessions with traffic lights there are police officers managing the flow of the vehicles. I was explained that they are needed because nobody pays attention to the lights. Drivers go through cross roads at the red light.
Another thing that has struck me is food everywhere. If there is some space of the side road or between buildings there is somebody cooking and selling food. I have smelled so much food that I feel full for a few weeks. Eating is the national hobby of the Mexicans. They seem to eat everywhere and all the time.
It is such a big difference to our Aussie cities which seem to be extremely slow and tidy in comparison to the Mexico City.
This giant city presents also a big challenge for the Church. It used to be a catholic place through and through. These days people are still religious in terms of having holy pictures and statues at home but it doesn’t go much deeper. They will cross themselves walking in front of a church but they will not cross the gate of the church. Probably that’s why Our Lady of Guadalupe chose this city for her shrine so that the light of faith and divine love could enlighten the city which struggles not only with pollution and congestion.
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