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Tuesday, January 8, 2019

Day trip to the ancient city of Teotihuacan

One of the highlights of the Mexico City area is the ancient city of Teotihuacan. It's a little difficult to get to from where we are at Pepe's Hotel and RV Park, but Pepe's sells organized tours to the ruins site, along with a guide and a bus. So our group took them up on that.

Yesterday was the first day of the year where the Mexican population is back to work and school. It was suggested to us that we leave early to make the best use of our time, so we were all on the bus at 8:00am.

Ruth and I have been to Teotihucan twice before. I think next time we won't hire a guide. We could easily lead the group ourselves. Also, the organized tour includes a stop at a cheesy touristy place where they try to sell you overpriced tequlia and mezcal as well as some expensive (but really nice) handmade tourist trinkets.

Nice handmade replicas... for a price.

One of the attractions of Teotihuacan is that you are still allowed to climb part way up the Pyramid of the Moon, and all the way to the top of the Pyramid of the Sun. Five of us did both both of them.

View of the Avenue of the Dead with the Pyramid of the Sun on the left.

At it's peak, around 200 AD, they think that Teotihuacan was the sixth largest city in the world. Population estimates range from 125,000 to 250,000 people.

The Patio of the Pillars.

The Pyramid of the Sun is the 3rd largest in the world.

People on top.


The orange line is actually fencing for when there are too many people up there and they have to form a line to get to the top. You would think they could have used something that would blend in a little better!

In the distance is another section that is still being excavated.


Kevin and Ruth, looking at the Pyramid of the moon.

There we are coming back down the stairs.


Around 1:00pm we went for lunch. There are a quite a few tourist restaurants around the ruins that are geared towards bus loads of people. We ended up at the Tlacaelel Restaurant, which turned out to be decent enough. Ruth and I each had the all you can eat buffet for 205 pesos (10.75 USD, $14.25 CAD) per person. We did not need much for supper!

In the restaurant.

The tour also included a stop at the Virgin of Guadalupe church. This is a big deal for those of the Catholic religion. Again, Ruth and I have been before and we really didn't need to go again. Not many in the group were overly interested... another reason why we think if we do this next year we will organize it ourselves and take this stop out of the equation.

The Virgin of Guadalupe.
This is the original fabric and image.

Here is the short version of the story... back in the fifteen and sixteen hundreds, the Spanish were trying to convert the native population to Catholicism. They were having a tough time of it, until the indigenous Juan Diego was visited by an apparition, and ended up with a piece of cloth that miraculously had an image on it. This convinced the population to convert.

If you want to read more... https://skeptoid.com/episodes/4201

And then it was back to the RV park in time for happy hour.

Overall, a good day but as I said we think we would do some things differently next time.

Today and tomorrow are both days of rest with nothing official planned. I'm sure we will find lots in the area to keep us busy though!

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10 comments:

  1. Always interesting how Ancient Cultures grew and then suddenly disappeared.
    Be Safe and Enjoy your down time.

    It's about time.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Kinda makes you wonder about modern cultures (our own, e.g.) doesn't it?

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    2. Yes, we have always found that interesting and the scientists have no idea why the people in these ancient cities just disappeared.

      And you are right Creigh, it does make you wonder what may happen to us, they say things go in cycles!

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    3. "Look on my Works, ye Mighty,and despair!" --Ozymandias, Percy Bysshe Shelley

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  2. I had no idea that area was so highly populated, so much indiscovered yet too!

    ReplyDelete
  3. The header photo is the best and most clear picture I have seen Kevin. Very impressive! And true to what you were advised, it looks like there weren’t too many tourists at the time you arrived. Glad to hear everyone had a good day overall.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Lynnette! We have always loved the view that you see from the Pyramid of the Moon, it sure shows how large the complex really is. And yes, it was actually a perfect day to visit, last time we were there it was a Saturday and it was very busy, this was much better. :-)

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  4. Sure sounds as though this small caravan is working for you two. Hope you keep the same lottery system for next year in case you decide to lead another group

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. This small caravan is working out wonderfully. We are getting a chance to see more and still be able to have lots of time to relax, other than the few busy days that we had in Mexico City of course! ;-)

      If we do it again next year it will most likely work more or less the same way but we will probably change the route a little in order to see different things. We will cross that bridge when we come to it, and make that decision next June sometime.

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