In case of earthquake

Mexico City was built on the dried lake of Texcoco - some of the city's foundations are not over solid ground, but on a spongy wet mass which amplify the effects of seismic activity elsewhere.

Some are wondering if the city is due for a big shock - the last big earthquake was 25 years ago and left 10-thousand people dead.

A worrying sign is the banners installed recently by Civil Defense around the city, telling people to be prepared.

Land of the Beetle

The Volkswagen Beetle, locally called "vocho", was produced in Mexico from 1961 until 2003 - a longer production run than anywhere else in the world.

Mexico City is flooded with "vochos" in all shapes and colours - A VW Beetle taxi is recognized everywhere as a Mexican cult object.

A second hand one in good nick, goes for AUD3,000, so we will see them on the road for decades to come.

Tacos-from-a-Basket

Literally, that is the meaning of "Tacos de Canasta" - the lowest common denominator of street food in Mexico.

Starting from 5 pesos each (roughly 50 US cents, in 2011) - they are assembled from ingredients stored in a wicker basket: minced meat, beans, potatoes, chicken, etc.

And mind you, Mexico has some of the best street food in the world, but "Tacos de Canasta" are outright dangerous. The hygiene of the whole set-up is very poor, and a foreigner is bound to get some serious gastro disease after having one of these.

Divine intervention

Religion takes a whole new meaning in Mexico and is wholly accepted in daily life.

A shrine in a public place in Mexico is a common sight -in the middle of the road, on a taxi rank, a market or a bus terminal, shopkeepers always have fresh flowers around for the Virgin.

For protection. Perhaps for some heavenly endorsement of the services sold.

For the woman in need

Spotted in the hygienic products aisle in a supermarket in Mexico City.

"Lady Emotions" toilet paper.