Trip to Mexico: Day 5

 

About 45 miles northeast of Mexico City are archaeological sites from a civilization around 200-600 AD. This site was declared a UNESCO heritage site in 1987. Since Mexican citizens have free access to this site on Sundays we planned our visit on Monday when there would be lesser crowds. 

The site is known as Teotihuacan( Tea-O-Tea-wah-kahn) which means place of Gods or place of the Sun or according to some Place of the High Priests or place where “men become Gods”. In the days when the civilization flourished this place was a center of political, cultural, religious and economic importance in Mesoamerica. The site was already in ruins when the Mexicans arrived here. 

The largest/ tallest of the pyramids here is the Sun Pyramid. It is 65 meters tall and has about 250 steep steps. The second tallest is the Moon Pyramid. Since the pandemic however the steps are closed for visitors to climb to the top of these pyramids. 

The magnificent road leading from the Sun Pyramid to the Moon Pyramid, with smaller structures on either side, is called the Avenue of the Dead.

 Archeological activity and research continues to this day and more information emerges from these. There is a museum on site that gives details on how this site was found, what’s been learned so far about the civilization that erected these magnificent structures and the influence these people had on distant lands. 

We took Uber from our apartment at 7 am and were one of the first people to get the entrance tickets when the gates opened at 8 am. Watched a lovely sunrise over the city as we were on our way. It was a great idea to go early because not only did the sun’s heat get intolerable after 11 am, the crowds also were significantly more after that time.    Another great thing, the hot air balloons that flew in the skies above the pyramids were seen earlier in the morning. They do not operate after 9 or 10. They were a pretty sight over the ruins. 

We took our time walking around various structures. When you go up close you see how colorful the rocks are that constitute the pyramids. The steps are very narrow and steep. Hard to climb and even more to get down! Can’t imagine how it would feel if they had allowed us to climb the 250 steps on the Sun Pyramid! The pyramids and the avenue running between them is barren but surrounding areas have a landscape of cactus and California Pepper Trees. Nowhere was it dirty or any trash lying around. 

We enjoyed talking to local vendors as well as visitors from across the world. Obsidian is found in large amounts in nearby mines. The local artisans skillfully sculpt various objects from this hard substance. From jewelry to souvenir disks to various animals to kitchen tools everything looks so beautiful in obsidian. Besides obsidian they are also adept at making inlay articles like masks and jewelry using other gemstones. They are courteous, gentle and pleasant people. I will probably need to devote a separate post about some of the special people we met during this entire trip. 

We took Uber again back to the city. It is about a hour’s drive each way but weekday city traffic causes delay during work hours. Outside the city the drive takes you through small towns and agricultural land. As you enter the city you appreciate its hilly landscape with colorful houses packed all over those hills creating a very picturesque sight like a painting on canvas.

We got off the cab to grab lunch, then walked to our apartment for siesta after a yummy pizza at a small joint.

Before I left on the trip I was talking to my gardener who is from Mexico. He and his wife were so excited I was visiting their country. Both wanted to give me lots of tips about what to see, what to eat, what to do there. When I mentioned we are going to visit Teotihuacan he told me it is a tradition to wear white to this site. So I had packed this kasavu ( off white, close enough!). This one has hand painted Radha Krishna on its pallu and sun flowers along the borders and on the blouse sleeves. I couldn’t keep count of the number of compliments I received for this saree this day. This one is a cherished gift of love from a dear friend Ranjana Ramkrishnan who wanted me to own a piece of art from God’s Own Country (Kerala) where she comes from! We have not met in person but love connects hearts even from a physical distance. On eve of Valentine’s Day I celebrate this unconditional love from Ranjana as well as all who read and appreciate my posts❤️❤️❤️❤️