Generations of Mexican families have through the centuries flocked, on weekends, to these ‘floating gardens’. They head down to Xochimilco for boating picnics, usually staying a whole afternoon to fully explore and relax in the soothing water environment. Now all around us, other trainers, mostly filled with families, floated by. To escape the traffic and noise of the city, they come here to take a boat cruise along the peaceful canals. Everyone appeared happy as they ate, drank and sang, offering us drinks when their boat passed alongside.
The canals and their gardens also draw the youth. On Saturday nights, the affluent young arrive in Xochimilco with their drinks and loud music. They rent the larger boats, which take either 20 or 40 passengers. They then play their ear-piercing music and dance, while they enjoy their drinks, turning the boats into floating night clubs. The floating market chalupas, selling food and drink keep the party-goers well-fed and watered all through the night. In the morning, the boat operators clean their trainers ready for the family outing rush on Sunday afternoon. It’s round the clock business on the canals.