Just returned from a 4 day staff trip with Rick Bayless & company....and some company it was! The people who work at Frontera Grill/ Toplobampo/Xoco are amazing in their passion, dedication and curiosity of all things Mexican. I am overwhelmed with all that I was exposed to.
The main food market in Mexico City , La Merced Market, is one of the biggest on the planet. Driving there was a challenge. What was normally supposed to take 10 minutes of travel time took a full hour, so we had to literally race thru the market as many stalls were closing down. We were instructed by Rick to stay close and follow. It was a great photographic experience for me as there was NO THINKING time, just reacting.
The market area is also known for flagrant prostitution in which women can be seen soliciting at all hours of the day and night.
Merced is considered to be a "tolerance zone" for prostitution, meaning that police generally do not intervene. Prostitution exists in just about all parts of Mexico City but it is most obvious here.
In observance of Cinco de Mayo, the day that Mexico declared its independence from mother Spain, I will be giving a short talk at Morton College on my Mexico portfolio, part of which is on exhibit there. If you are in the area, please stop by. The reception will be at 2pm.
Just a heads up...I am hanging new work at Frontera Grill / Topolobampo Restaurant next week.
This year the work was inspired by the staff trip to the Yucatan.
you could have a great meal and see some wonderful artwork from Rick Bayless's personal collection.