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| We hiked up the Pyramid of the Sun at Teotihuacan |
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| The Pyramid of the Moon - was newer and smaller |
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| Half way on our climb to the top |
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| $50 for a big mac - 50 pesos equals about $2.50 |
We spent most of our third day going to Teotihuacan. This is considered the place where Mexico started - the Gods were born there. I have to cut and paste that name - I can say it better than spell it. Te-Ih-Too-Ah-Can. It existed from around the birth of Christ to about 500 AD. This was before the Aztecs. It had about 150,000 people - similar in size of Tallahassee today. It was the biggest city in the Americas - 1000 years before Columbus arrived. At the time it was the 6th biggest city in the world.
Mexico sits on a plateau in a high valley. The city is about 7300 feet high - with mountains around it going up to 17,000 feet. The elevation keeps it cooler than you would expect for being in the tropics. It is 60s and 70s here - sunny - breezy. 21 million people live here today - but the city does not have as many skyscrapers as NYC. It is spread out for miles. Most homes are one or two stories. Our hotel is in a rich section - but we saw tons of poorer areas on the highway to Teotihuacan.
We got an Uber car to go out to Teotihuacan - but on the way we cut a deal of $100. For that we got unlimited driving - about 5 hours - tolls - admissions - etc. He could not speak English - but he would talk into his phone - and it would translate for us. We would talk back and it would translate. He was very happy. An average secretary makes $700 a month here! We are big spender Gringos.
Teotihuacan is dominated by two pyramids. The largest is the Pyramid of the Sun. It is 230 feet tall. It has original steps to the top. The base is about 700 feet wide. It is solid volcanic rock - no rooms inside. The steps are steep and bumpy - roughly one foot up and one foot over. A cable hand rail protects you from falling - but I am sure many people roll down. My elevation sickness passed on day two. Not sick but I tired easily. I am good now.
The Pyramid of the Sun was built around the birth of Christ. They are not really sure why they were built. It is interesting that this pyramid is at 20 degrees north and the Great Pyramid of Giza is at 30 degrees. Also - the Great Pyramid is twice as high. This pyramid had an angle of 34 degrees of climb.
The Pyramid of the Moon is only 150 feet tall - but seems better preserved. It was built 200 years later. Both pyramids were covered with smooth limestone plaster. The plaster has weathered away or was taken by looters in the last 2000 years. We chose not to climb the second pyramid :-)
After Teotihuacan - we met our driver and drove the 40 miles or so back into town. I tried to take pictures of the urban sprawl - zooming along at 160 KPH (100 MPH) on the toll way. We were in a silver VW Vento with Jose. He was a great driver and wonderful host.
We were dropped of at the National Anthropology Museum in a beautiful park area. Our driver wanted to wait for us for free. We decided to go on our own. The museum really tired me out - but we decided to walk the 1.5 miles down the tree-lined boulevard to our hotel. Lulu knew there was a big mall along the way. The Reforma 222 Mall rivals anything in America. She shopped and we ate - and it started raining - so we grabbed the first pink and white cab we saw. He charged us $5 back to our hotel. An Uber would have been $2 - but it was raining. He drove us within 2 feet of our front door.
We are impressed with the hospitality the people of Mexico have shown to us. Saturday is Day 4 of 6. I am waiting for the FSU game to start - Lulu is shopping.
Delta has upgraded us to Comfort Class for the way home - our planes are pretty full. Wouldn't a bump make this a just about perfect trip?
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| Honeymooners - Pyramid of the Moon |
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| Pyramid of the Sun |
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| The climb was a 34 degree angle |
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| Looking down on Teotihuacan |
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| The pyramids are craggy like Harry |
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The Sun Goddess going down from the sun
on the Pyramid of the Sun |
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| We arrived early - tourists arrived when we were upon there |
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| Igneous rock |
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It used ot be covered with plaster
and animal drawings |
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| Lulu met some Indiana students |
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Pyramid of the Moon from
the Pyramid of the Sun |
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| Fro 230 feet 150 feet |
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| Pyramid of the Moon |
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| Much easier going down |
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| Pyramid of the Sun had a 10 foot deep moat around it |
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| We did not visit the third pyramid |
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| More tourist as we left |
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| Steps were really steep here |
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| Teotihuacan |
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| Teotihuacan |
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| Pyramid of the Moon |
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| The black things plastic water tanks |
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| Residences along the highway |
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| Urban sprawl goes on forever |
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| Houses go up the steep hills |
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| Neighborhoods from the toll way |
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| Mexico City |
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| Check out this old VW camper |
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| Cruising in our Vento |
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| Tree of Life - Anthropology Museum - free admission |
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| This scroll was like their Rosetta Stone |
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| Ancient art |
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| Teotihuacan Map |
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| Historic art |
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| The circle was a very important Aztec link |
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| Carved statues |
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| Teotihuacan - in the museum |
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| Our walk back to our hotel |
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Not many skyscrapers
for 21 million people |
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| A neat Corona bar |
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| Fountain to Diana |
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| Angel of Independence |
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| Roforma 222 Mall - close to our hotel |
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| Demo loom in Teotihuacan |
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