I remember how when I was younger, round about the age of 13 or 14, I occasionally used to visit a skate park in Canal de Chalco. Although I was not into skating at all, I would specifically go and check the murals that were painted inside a place called The Ghetto where kids would often practice skateboarding. It was like a gallery to me and other graffiti afficionados who were eager to see graffiti and learn more about it.

Back in the mid 90’s (1995-1996) it was so uncommon to see any paintings on the streets, let alone any proper pieces, hence the reason I would visit that skate park and take many pictures of the pieces so that I could go back home and copy them on my note pad.

During the trajectory of my journey I remember how the bus would drive past a housing estate called Predio el Molino which, to my understanding, is administered by a long standing political organisation called Francisco Villa Popular Front, the name is in reference to the legendary Mexican leader who was in command of the northern division that fought during the revolution in Mexico at the beginning of 1910.

My intention with today’s chronicle is to throw some light on how I perceived that housing estate from the few visits I have recently made to meet with some friends who live there.

Like so many places in Mexico City , this one does not escape from the regular issues that tend to exist in a deprived and marginalised working class neighbourhood. general issues, such as lack of social services, poverty, poor housing conditions, drugs and violence.

During the walk with my friend Michelle, who lives there, I was curious to ask him what it was like to live in his area? 
He quickly pointed out that the neighbourhood is dodgy. Drugs are sold and violence is an every day issue. 
Though he immediately pointed this out, I am certain that those issues should not categorise the vast majority of the locals as outlaws. Most people, I dare to say, are hard working and honest individuals who have to struggle very hard every day to make ends meet.

On our way to his home, Michelle and I walked passed a long wall covered with messages denouncing the government. One of the messages described the Mexican Government as a Narco run State. Another one made reference to the recent killing of Joceline (around 2 weeks ago) who was brutally raped and beaten up, allegedly by her boyfriend. 
In fact, a girl that I know who lives there, saw Joceline’s body dumped on the ground, moments before she was picked by the ambulance. She told me that when she saw the situation she did not know what to do about it so she walked off. 
Further along the wall, posters of Luis Fernando Sotelo Zambrano, a young political prisoner covered the side of a street stall.

Finally, we arrived to Michelle neighbourhood.
Michelle told me that it is good to know the ‘right people’ living there since the area is pretty dodgy.

Suddenly, I felt tempted to take a few wide angle pictures of the housing complex in its entirely so I asked him if it was ok, to which he responded, -yeah man, go ahead! 
I took a couple of images and straightaway, Michelle pointed towards a side of the area. He then said, - Just watch out with that house to your left as it’s the spot owned by the drug dealers.

I was careful not to annoy anyone, though before I knew it, people were already aware of my presence. 
Of course! It’s obvious that anyone carrying a camera and snapping pictures would look suspicious, I would feel intimidated if I saw someone taking pictures in my neighbourhood.
I soon noticed some guys giving me some strange looks though nothing happened fortunately.

As we carried on walking, a couple of guys shouted, -Hey!! why are you taking pictures? Michelle shouted back that we were only photographing the facade of the flats and left. He explained that the guys that shouted were some of the dealers!

We walked towards a narrow alleyway, past an elderly man who was very kind, and suddenly met up with some of Michelle’s mates. before we shook hands with one of them, I blatantly spotted a guy passing something over to another bloke in a very dodgy way.

We hung out on a street corner for a little while and gradually, more of Michelle’s friends turned up. 
One mate of his came to say hello and shook hands with everyone. He was carrying a plate that contained a taco made out of plantain, rice and beans. He offered me a bite but I declined the offer as I was about to have lunch. The guy had a strong stench of PVC, a substance used to unblock pipes etc. also used inappropriately as a drug among the youth due to its easy access and cheap price.

Moments after I left the area, I took a bus towards the nearest metro stop. During the journey I spotted several typical Virgin Marry altars ( it’s very common to see them in Mexico) all over the place, pretty much on every street corner. Tons of street food stalls, all competing against each other to make a few pesos, posters advertising drug addiction support, Tarot readings services, people standing by the traffic lights to wipe drivers windshields.

I suddenly remembered the headline of a news paper article that a man was reading yesterday, it said: ‘Sufre pitonisa, fue violada por ocho hombres’, which in english translates in an utterly vulgar way, as, ‘A woman was penetrated and rapped by 8 men’. No respect given towards the woman at all!

The bus drove past a house which had a message that warned delinquents from breaking into the house, it said something like: Neighbourhood watch, you will be lynched if you try to rob this house. I also noticed many more not so agressive neighbourhood watch signs warning thieves.

I finally arrived to the metro stopped where I hopped off the bus to grab the train in order to reach my final destination, Cerro de la Estrella in Iztapalapa…