So, it took a while to get this last post from Mexico City up, but finally got to it.
On our last full day, we explored the remnants of one of the most important canals of Mexico City from the 19th century. La Viga was once the main transport route for goods and agricultural products from Xochimilco and Chalco to Mexico City. Markets were formed on the Eastern edge of the city where both la Viga came in and where the terminal for rail lines to Veracruz was built. The canal has been replaced with a major road of the same name, but the remnants of the la Viga exist as la Canal Nacional, one of the last open waterways in the city that connects Xochimilco and Chalco to the major pipe network that drains Mexico City.
Just north of Xochimilco, the canal occupies a linear park on the edge of remaining agricultural land that is almost surrounded by the sprawl of the city. The once wide canal has been dividided into two canals, with different speeds of movement and pumping stations that control the flow as it approaches the urban part of the canal.
Now well used as a weekend jogging spot, the ruins of previous embarcaderos still line the banks of the now still canal. Overgrowth has taken over the shallow water, but the steps down into the mud remain.
The canal abrubtly exits the park, and the surrounding change distinctly. The narrow swath of green surrounding the canal abuts with dense development.
However, hints of the past agrarian life still appear.
Our plans to explore the markets that still occupy the area where the end of the canal was had to unfortunately be cancelled due to ongoing protests, street closures and metro closures.
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