Out in Mexico: Visit Xochimilco & La Isla de las Muñecas

Photo above by Aaron Hicklin

About an hour's drive south of the main tourist hub of Polanco and Condesa/Roma, you'll find Mexico City's most intriguing feature: an ancient series of canals that once extended across the Valley of Mexico. Popular for Sunday outings, the remaining canals are now thronged with flat-bottomed boats (trajineras) ferrying pleasure seekers past the district's famous floating gardens. Mariachi bands add to the party atmosphere.

Hermit Don Julian Santana Barrera spent 50 yars weaving this creep-tastic chinampa (hanging garden) for a young girl who drowned in the Xochimilco canals 50 years ago. Considering the memorial's form--broken, mutilated dolls strung from trees and nailed to posts--it's no wonder local legend claims that the little girl's spirit peers out from their cold, plastic eyes.

For more information, visit IsladelasMunecas.com