Every city I have been to in Mexico has a fancy neighborhood, and in that fancy neighborhood, every Sunday morning, they close a major thoroughfare to traffic so that people can walk, bike, or skate with their friends and family.
In Monterrey, the Sunday street is Calzada San Pedro, a 2.5 km long tree-lined commercial street that hosts the likes of Louis Vuitton and Vera Wang. Down the middle of the 6-lane road is a tree-lined walking path made of some space-age walking surface that hosts walkers every day, but on Sundays the street on both sides of the walking path is closed as well and the entire area becomes crowded with families, friends, and neighbors walking their dogs, riding their bikes, and taking in the great weather (at this time of year, anyway). They even have fancy port-a-potties!
 |
| Fancy Port-a-Potties in San Pedro Garza Garcia |
In Monterrey and Merida you can rent bikes by the hour by simply turning over your driver's license (it is returned when you return the bike!) and 20-25 pesos. In Monterrey, you can also adopt a dog for an hour from the local pet shelter (the dogs wear little capes that say "Adopta Me!!" on them) and give the pet some much needed exercise and attention.
 |
| Bici-Ruta Rider in Merida |
 |
Bikes abandoned in Merida while the owners get some
chilequiles for breakfast...mmmm...chilequiles |
This week, in honor of the Day of the Dead (November 2, a day when we remember those who have passed) various groups set-up Dia los Muertes altars along the path. There is an altar to remember Monterrey citizens who were killed in drunk driving accidents in the last year, an altar to remember famous Mexican artists, and an altar to bicyclists among the entries this year.
 |
| Cyclists' Altar |
 |
| Artists' Altar / Grave Markers |
 |
| Painted Gravestones |
Last fall, the Calzada was one of the few places I was able to get some exercise, as Monterrey has such a car-culture. Fortunately,
I've added dance and my Wii Fit, to the mix; but really nothing beats
getting over to the Calzada and bumping in to friends, students, parents
and colleagues as I walk along (Starbuck's in hand...wouldn't want to
be too healthy!) and getting some much needed fresh air.
