Photos

Xochimilco (so-chee-mil-ko), the floating gardens have been in existance since the 14th century, decades before the arrival of the Spanish. The Aztecs refined the floating island concept and used this technique to create an agricultural area south of the ancient city of Tenotchitlán, which is now present-day Mexico City. Almost Venice like in that it was a city built on a lake to provide protection against attack.

During the days of the Aztecs the gardens was a place to go during the hot periods to cool off and glide about in shallow draft canoes. Today, it's still the same. Weekends are the most crowded, with families renting large canoes and having picnics, birthdays and other celebrations in the canoe while glidng through the cool canals.

Photographers, with their own canoes, make recuerdos (keepsake shots) on the spot. Everyone in Trekearth can certainly associate with this guy. A large format camera with a Polaroid back, though some still use chemicals and make contact prints on the spot.