The Angel--Symbol of Mexico City--Surrounded by Foreign Business
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Angel is surrounded by "Foreigners"
The Angel of Independence on Reforma Avenue in Mexico City stands proudly as the symbol of the City. Traffic flows like a river around the monument. An eternal flame is lit part of the time, until the wind blows it out, or until the gas supply runs out and needs refilling.
To see the monument up close and personal, one has to go to the middle of the street (14 lanes of traffic!) and then go straight down the middle of the road. You have to climb all the steps (there are getting to be less of them, because the Angel, like many other buildings and monuments) are sinking.
Brides and grooms go to the Angel to take their wedding pictures. Marches and demonstrations end or begin at the Angel as they make their way to or from the Zocalo and the center of the city and national government.
Several years ago, when the wonderful expo of the "Cow Parade" came to Mexico City, there was even a cow "angel" proudly holding up a flame and wreath in honor of the monument.
One very interesting fact about the monument is that, even though it is the very symbol of the capitol of the entire country of Mexico, it is surrounded by "foreigners." The big buildings that face the Angel are mostly from other countries. The newest addition to the Glorieta of the Angel is the HSBC Bank. Other buildings facing the monument include the American Express Building, Continental Airlines, the Sheraton Hotel, Ford Motor Company, and basically only one very Mexican business--a Sanborn's Restaurant. A new sky scraper luxury condo, business and apartment building is being built on another of the corners facing the Angel.
