Currently, Mexico City is undergoing many modern transformations: new dining experiences, modern art galleries, and more information regarding ancestral history, but despite these new cultural changes, there is still a never-changing route you must experience while in Mexico City. The route is called the Pre-hispanic Sunrise Experience of Xochimilco. This cultural tour provides a deep understanding of the Chinampas and the Aztec agricultural way of life. The expedition will transfer you back in time while keeping the modern clock. Before I sail you away back in time, let me share some fun facts about this journey.
What are Chinampas?
First let’s find out the meaning of the word, Chinampas? Chinampas is a Nahuatl word derived from the Uto-Aztecan language. The Chinampas are small rectangular fertile arable land beds used to grow crops. The chinampas were invented by the Aztecan empire which also referred themselves as Culhua-Mexica. Chinampas are artificial islands created to build an underwater agricultural system. This system was created to sustained the growing population. The Aztecs needed to manage their water supply to maintain and grow their harvest. On top of that, the Aztecs used human feces to feed the fertile soil; this method allowed them to create a healthier living environment. Despite the negative portrayal of our Aztec ancestors, the Chinampas system proofs that the Aztec society used human ingenuity to solve their water and waste problems.
Modern-Day Chinampas
Don’t think the Chinampas was a thing of the past. This agricultural arrangement or floating garden is still used today as a way to clean the water and to add oxygen supply back to the water. You might think sustainable farming is a new trend but is an ancient method created by the Aztec civilization. You can find the Chinampas methods in the United States too-Gowanus canal in New York City and Baltimore waterfront. Along with, the word Xochimilco means “Flower field”. Today, Xochimilco is well-known for its Chinampas and its heritage tours along the canals. Additionally, this attraction is considered a World Heritage Site. Furthermore, Chefs in Mexico City are collaborating with local farmers in Xochimilco to offer the local community fresh products from the fields of the Chinampas; this concept was created by Lucio and Antonio, founders of Yolcan. The Yolcanist program attracted well-known Mexico City restaurants; Pujol, Quintonil y Rosetta, and many more to aid with the goals of the Yolcan mission. I enjoyed reading and learning about this project because it helps the economy of the local farmers and preserves the cultural traditions of the Chinampas.
The benefit of the experience
Rodrigo is quite the personaje (unique personality in Spanish). Why? Rodrigo is knowledgable about both the agricultural and sustainable history of Xochimilco. He knows the Prehispanic recipes of our culture. Rodrigo was our personal Xochimilco tour guide. For example, while on this journey, Rodrigo offers us an organic ancestral menu in front of a campfire (fogata) setting while explaining to us the agricultural history of our Tierra. He flooded our minds with Aztec history and Pre-Hispanic recipes. His guidance made our experience a memorable one because we think we can manage a trip all by ourselves but a local perspective or knowledge adds a personalized touch to your trip.
Before embarking on this journey, I visited a German social club in Xochimilco called CLUB ALEMAN DE REGATAS ANTARES. The club is a rowing and canoeing club providing kayak, swimming, and boating lessons in Chinampas. I walked inside the club and I was stunned by the black and white photos on the walls. These photos depict the hidden German society who spend their weekend hosting aquatic soirees and competitive matches. I’m not sure of the years but these photos looked like there are from the 1920s or so, but I’m not 100% sure.
Go for the Wildfire Experience
You think need to travel all the way to Africa to have an intimate experience with the wildfire but for now, think Xochimilco! Here at Xochimilco and around the Chinampas, there is an amazing Bird watching a natural slideshow.
As the kayak glided through the moving waters, I heard the sweet melody of the birds. The morning mist unveiled the beauty of the Chinampas. As the kayak moves, the canal went from a blurred painting to a real-life story. I felt like I was having a non-verbal dialogue with nature. At that moment, my mind thought about Aztec ancestors. I thought, how did they navigated through these waters in order to provide food for there families? Also, they needed to learn the weather forecast in order to know the cultivating seasons of their land. How much they contributed to our past astonished me. And yes, I’m proud of our ancestors, whether they came from Mexico, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, and other Latin America countries; this experience gave birth to a new understanding of my culture. Additionally, Rodrigo showed and explained to us the different bird species of Xochimilco. I saw the Garza Gris, Perro de Agua, and the Garza Blanca. Overall, the experience must be lived, felt, learned, and embraced in person.
The Prehispanic Sunrise Experience of Xochimilco is priceless. You think Mexico City is the only area of interest, but if you travel a few miles or minutes from the cultural chaos, you can find peace, tranquility, nature’s energetic joy, and best of all a chance to connect with your ancestral roots. The reason why Weareoutlatinas is adding this experience for future cultural trips is to provide the opportunity to learn and embrace your roots. It’s important to learn the history of our culture to develop a sense of pride and to know the impact our ancestors played in the past.
If you want to book this experience or join our trips for next year please contact us or send us an email.