Bare-Bones Approach Lets a City Embrace Winter.

MEXICO CITY -- Homero Aridjis, one of Mexico's most revered poets, lives in a large home in the hills of this ancient city, with expensive paintings, imported rugs -- and an array of items to help him keep warm, including door-stoppers shaped like snakes, thick wool sweaters, even microwaveable pillows. His home, like nearly every building in this megalopolis of 20 million people, has no central heating. And because concrete is the dominant building material, winter here means an indoor existence with temperatures not far from freezing. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]