Smelling Your Way through Mexico City

Xochimilco -a place most famous for its canals and artificial islands built by the Aztec people centuries ago. The brightly painted ‘trajinera boats’ floating along the canal today can be hitched for a ride to have fun or maybe watch spectacles associated with special days like the 'Day of the Dead'. However, Xochimilco is most famous for its four major markets dedicated to the sale of plants of flowers and plants - Cuemanco, Palacio de la Flor, Mercado de Madre Selva and the historic market at San Luis Tlaxialtemalco. Actually, the name Xochimilco comes from the Nahuatl meaning "Place for the sowing of flowers" or "Field of Flowers".

Madreselva or the Honeysuckle Market is one of the traditional markets reputed for all kinds, flowers, plants and shrubs particularly birch trees.

Another market worth mentioning is the Cuemanco, where people flock to buy plants at best available prices since the producers sell their products directly to the consumers to cut down the costs added by the middlemen.