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Exploring The Xochimilco Aqueduct
Walking Amidst The History Of Once Flowing Water
I woke to a beloved cloudy morning. While drinking my morning coffee I wondered at what this new day held for me. After some time with my morning journal, the Xochimilco Aqueduct appeared on my inner screen.
I have lived here for over a week, and still had not walked among the ruins of the ancient waterway. The soft light out the window told me today, was the day to go exploring.
An impressive adventure was waiting for me. I did not anticipate the depth of emotion, that would be soon be swirling in my chest.
The first time I walked to the Xochimilco neighborhood was on July 2nd. That day I was so taken with the wall murals, I never made it far enough north to see the Aqueduct. Little did I know what I was missing.
My second walk, to this oldest neighborhood in Oaxaca City, was July 13th. That day I saw the Aqueduct for the first time. I made several photos of the south side, from the street above, where the water once flowed out of this massive structure, on its way to a growing city.
As I think about it today, I can come up with no good reason why I didn’t walk a bit farther to have a look at the north side. That would come a walk or two later, on my early visits to my soon to be, new neighborhood.
Perhaps I knew it wouldn’t be going anywhere, and there would be plenty of opportunity to explore once I settled into my new home.
I have now lived here ten days, and it was past time to experience this structural wonder. Ten minutes after locking the gate behind me, I was standing at the bottom of these towering portals.
Construction of this massive structure began in 1727. The entire aqueduct system took 24 years to complete. This includes the Arquitos, (Little Arches) that stretch for 300 meters along Calle Rufino Tamayo below.
