THURSDAY
It’s night in the city and you are riding a bike, music is playing and your crew includes El Santo and Blue Demon. This can happen. For real. The Paseo de Todos is making this dream come true for the third time in PaseoLuchaLibre3raCaida, a free ride created to encourage and promote urban biking as a means of transportation. The ride is free and starts at the Monument to the Revolution at 8:30 p.m. Remember to bring your bike and as many friends and family members as you can summon.
FRIDAY
Here are two stories (and ensuing activities) regarding the ritual of associating books and roses:
Following the tradition of celebrating illustrious writers on the approximate date of their death, La Fiesta del Libro y la Rosa was born to mark the passing away of Cervantes, Shakespeare and Garcilaso de la Vega. The National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) has put together a wide array of activities to honor words and wordsmiths, from poetry readings to book sales and special exhibitions. Check out the full program here and join the fun. The festivities run until Sunday and span all of UNAM’s cultural centers.
Another interesting fact is that on April 23 Saint George passed away. In case you’re not so sharp on your saints and their saintly deeds, he was the vanquisher of a biblical flesh-eating dragon and rescuer of the proverbial damsel in distress. Hence, he became the patron saint of lovers; and lovers give books and roses, so it became a tradition. Long story short: Centro Horizontal is hosting the Books & Roses Party, where you will be able to exchange books for roses (or beer). You can also buy books from many independent editorials such as Tumbona, Surplus, Almadía and Sexto Piso. Entrance is free but mezcal isn’t. Be there at 8:30 p.m.
SATURDAY
Think of Chris Martin’s slightly monotone voice singing that the stars shine for you and everything you do, and how yellow everything is. Now, to experience it first-hand, witness the April Lyrids meteor shower, the most visible and heavy meteor shower (around 5 to 20 meteors per hour) of the year. Of course, the city is not the best place to do star gazing, but you can join the Camping expedition to the Iztaccíhuatl to get prime views of the spectacle. The two-day trekking adventure costs 600 pesos, it includes transportation, guide and park entrance fees. Call 5559-453-529 and 5543-922-863 for further details.
SUNDAY
Nowadays, photos have become a common thing. Pics of food, pets, selfies with filter, selfies without filter, etc. flood timelines and chats every single second. Escape the madness of instant gratification and oversharing by visiting Candida Höfer’s exhibition at the Antiguo Colegio de San Ildefonso. The pictures are the result of the German photographer’s stay in Mexico where she captured the county’s most representative locations without people — one of the trademarks of her work. The museum opens at 10 a.m. and entrance is 50 pesos.
