Pride

I should have realized something out of the ordinary was going on at the Zócalo when at the exit of the metro I saw several bare chest men sparkling with glitter. There was a more than usual push of people at the metro exits due to several exits blocked off to accommodate the FIFA Fan Fun Center that covered the entirety of the Zócalo.

We went to the Zócalo on the eve of the Mexico vs. Argentina game to avoid tomorrow’s crowd but still be part of the FIFA fever. Unfortunately we were denied entrance to the FIFA Fan Fun Center. The stage was empty and the big screen was quiet. Nobody was attending the tents of food, games and souvenirs. Not to be deterred, we walked to another entrance in hopes of charming the guard to let us walk the grounds that would be saturated with fans tomorrow.

We were again denied as closing time was 6pm. However, the visit was not in vain. The rainbow flags were waving and people of all shapes, sizes and orientation were parading the closed streets and sidewalks. The clothing and makeup brought a lively lift to the Zócalo with the FIFA setup as a backdrop. Rounding the last corner of the Zócalo, we stumbled over the usual protesters camping out in the Zócalo, not to be denied attention for their cause.

Never a dull moment in the City’s center.