It was time for some more Frida & Diego, so we headed to a charming neighborhood in southern Mexico City called Coyoacán to visit the Casa Azul, the house where Frida was born, where she and Diego lived the majority of the time they were together, and where Frida died. It was a 20 minute metro ride + 20 minute walk, we hopped in line, and another 20 minutes later we were in! The house has a beautiful tropical garden that makes up the inner courtyard, and is a picturesque mix of modern Mexican style home with indigenous accents, features most prominent in the vibrant color of the adobe, the style of the kitchen, even a replica of a temple to showcase all the Pre-Hispanic artifacts she and Diego collected.

Long Live Life – this was painted at the very end of Frida’s life, the inscription, at least, being added days before her death. We had learned at the Museo Dolores Olmedo that, curiously enough, one of Diego’s last paintings was also of watermelons.

The kitchen in traditional style, complete with large wood-fire stove and use of blues and yellows.

The view from Frida’s studio (following photo).

Two clocks commemorating when Frida decided to divorce Diego and when they remarried less than a year later, a time during which “time stopped”.

The day bedroom with a nice open view of the inner courtyard where Frida could work, laying down, during the day; also the bed where she passed away.

The night bedroom – Frida’s ashes are contained within that clay urn in the shape of a toad, an allusion to Diego who she nicknamed sapo-rana, or toad-frog.

Frida’s paper filling system, wittily labeled with designs to describe what was within the file boxes; the dollar sign for finances, envelopes for receipts and finances, a heart for letters from friends, and the devil for letters from Diego.

After a most enjoyable visit at the Casa Azul, we set out to see the rest of Coyoacán. Julien fell in love with the picturesque streets, and we spent the rest of the afternoon strolling through the neighborhood.

The name Coyoacán comes from Nahuatl, meaning “place of coyotes”

Iglesia de Santa Catarina

Even the abandoned houses were picturesque.

Returning to La Condesa at rush hour. I’m that green speck off in the middle.