Monthly Archives: August 2014
Monday August 20, 1934
We decided it was too late for a show so went to the Red Light District! West on Gante, I believe, is the way to get there. Saw a cheap fair of some sort n the act of closing for the night but nothing particularly thrilling. Walked back to the Regis – Had met Dignomitty on the way down the Gante (that man is everywhere) and he had said he’d catch up and show us the District but I did not see him again. Had chocolate at the Regis Drug Store and came home by tren. Walked by Mrs. Joublaile’s where they were having a fiesta but could see nothing – Bought a taco on Tacubaya carline – When I mentioned how clean the man’s apron was on which he wiped his knife, a policeman heard us and laughed! You never can tell who is going to understand English in this place.
Sunday August 19, 1934
Slept until 11:30. Ate dinner at 2. Wrote home and to Miss Cowan!
Decided to go to Xochimilco in the afternoon. Bought some bananas, tangerines, peanuts, and tacos. Nice night but cloudy – Ate Supper (?) and almost thought there was a moon. Stayed at the halfway place to listen the orchestra music. It started to sprinkle so we told the boatman to take us home.
Before we got back we had moved several times to avoid leaks in the roof but it was no use. So we just proceeded to get soaked! Went to the landing and waited a bit before starting for the street car. It had rained so much that the streets were rivers.
Carsey carried me across one street and I got no wetter than I had been – We bought a taco each at the “portal” and could have eaten another but the “tren” came. They were hot!
The ride to town wasn’t as bad because of the upholstered seats and the fact the doors weren’t often opened on the way. But from the Zocalo home it wasn’t quite so comfortable. He finally put on his coat though I don’t see how it could have helped much!
Saturday August 18, 1934
Walked with Fay through Chalpultepec Park in the morning. We couldn’t find anything: animals, aquarium or botanical gardens! Not even the childrens playground!
Got my hair fixed this afternoon –
Carsey came and helped us get the bags etc to the station – Re-validated her ticket. Had to buy tickets to Tacuba, second class in order to go out to the train. That’s the only time I can remember seeing Carsey show the least bit of temper – Can’t blame him, tho. Davis’ were there, having just seen Alice McDuffey off. Was raining but after getting her out the train we started for the Regis.
Friday August 17, 1934
Finished papers and took them to school. Brought back a carved wood hot plate and tile for Fay. In the afternoon saw people going into the National Theatre.
Thursday August 16, 1934
Worked on papers for three hours. Went to “The House of Rothschild” at night – Almost saw it twice because it was grand! In the afternoon, took a Circumvalacion bus* to Chapultepec and rode halfway around town. Got off at bus station and walked around – Caught bus to town in order to get Carsey to the dentist. Was ten minutes late to the appointment. I bought a pair of hose and some pictures and met him at the usual place – Went to supper at the Manhattan (no music boo hoo!) Thence to the show.
Wednesday August 15, 1934
Worked on themes for an hour. Carsey came at 9:30. We had planned to go visit the school of the little girl where he stays. Her English class came at 8:30 so we decided to visit it some other time. Went instead to the Monte de Piedad again. They were so picked over that we decided not to get one. We took a car to Atzcapalzalco and viewed the surroundings.
Saw the church. Today is the day of Acension or something of some virgin so they were having church. We stayed several minutes and couldn’t hear the priest say a word- only the boys ringing bells so we sat outside in what used to be the monastery garden.
Tuesday August 14, 1934
Santa Domingo and into the church of the same name – went into the school of Medicine (very old building) saw the building of the Inquisition and the “portal’ where the scribes used to sit and write letters for everyone with quill pens – Now they use Oliver Typewriters of ancient vintage but still write letters for folks and for business men who do not have stenogs – Got on a Churubusco Car and were persuaded to get off at the Convent. The gardens are beautiful – so dreaming and restful. I felt as though somebody ought to play “In a Monastery Garden”
and the setting would have been perfect for anything! The convent itself is well-preserved. Besides the usual rooms and pictures we saw the parchment song books with large, square, black notes and Latin words – Saw American arms and munition for the Americans and Mexicans fought just outside the convent. There was a goodly array of carriages used by the padres and various presidents; a sedan chair, surrey used by some presidents and different carriages – One old (1908) Packard sedan use by Diaz. It was so tall that Carsey could not reach the top and the wheels were over waist-high to me. The convent had two patios that had the proper “monastic” atmosphere: pretty flowers, a fountain, benches, quietness and coolness! Besides these there was a rose garden! Shrubbery cut into various shapes interspersed the rose bushes and formed arbors. There was a pool where the padrecitos were want to swim – It was old and yet somehow formal – just enough to make it perfectly delightful.
Monday August 13, 1934
Went to Betsta’s class and cut the rest. Strolled through Chapultepec Park and saw Botanical Gardens.