A day at the Pyramids

Pyramid of the Moon

 Teotihuacan is a ninety minute car ride from the City Centre. We travelled through miles of Colonias and came to appreciate just how large this City of 22 million people really is. 

Arriving at the site the Visitor's centre leads you to a large complex with the "Temple of Cetzalkokal" as the centre piece.

the souvenir shop

The next stop before the next part of the site was to a souvenir store - surprise, surprise - and a little talk about the cactus plants in the area. This place had some really good quality ceramics, we bought one.

The Pyramid of the Sun

But back to the tour, arriving at the Pyramid of the Moon we then walked the kilometer, along the "Avenue of the Dead" to the largest Pyramid - the Pyramid of the Sun. This Pyramid, up until the arrival of Covid, can be climbed by anyone foolhardy enough to try. Our group only climbed the first set of stairs.

Leaving the site, well sunburned and with tired feet the next stop was to the obligatory 'silver workshop'. It was a good job we had two in the group who would buy any silver trinkets they see. Back to the hotel.

We thought we were going to see a Castle

Chapultepec Castle was on the list of sights to see on the 2nd day. But the pandemic killed that - it has been closed. So we drove around the Park; it is massive. We stopped to look at the Pumping Station where water is drawn from the ground to the water system. Noteworthy for the Half Cupola and Diego Rivera mural. It was being renovated but Wikipedia has a pic of the original.

Leaving the second biggest Park in South America we moved on to the University and the Olympic Stadium. Since we can only look at exteriors of buildings our guide Juan is showing us the architectural sights. The University buildings are famous for the ceramic murals on all sides. These murals were added to the exterior of the Library building over five years by Juan O'Gorman. Remember the name. 

So onto the Olympic Stadium this was only observed but the mural on the entrance was worthy of a second look.

Quote from Wikipedia:

"On the east side of University Olympic Stadium, is a mural by Diego Rivera, called "The University, the Mexican family, peace and youth sports. In the construction of the relief in natural colored stones shows the university shield, with the condor and the eagle on a cactus. Under their wings outstretched, Rivera placed three figures representing the family: the father and the mother giving the dove of peace to his son. At the extremes are two gigantic figures that correspond to some athletes, male and female, who light the torch of Olympic flame. A huge feathered serpent, the symbolic image of the pre-Hispanic god Quetzalcoatl, complements the composition at the bottom."

Juan Gorman house

Leaving that area we were driven to the Diego Rivera/ Frida Kahlo residence where Juan Gorman's house is on the same lot. This compound is now a Museum to all three artists who whose lives were interwoven, see the Diego Rivera link for details. The inside of the houses contain more artifacts and works of art - very impressive.

Nearly lunchtime we now go to Jacinta Square and Market. In this Square we did get to go inside a Parish Church; small and unimposing, but the gardens were magnificent.

An early end to the day but every trip back to the hotel is in horrendous traffic and usually takes an hour.

Day 1 - A walk around the Plaza

The Templo Mayor

Mexico City has been built upon the same land by successions of conquerors, for millennia. The result has been that every time the surface is disturbed for redevelopment ancient worlds are uncovered. Such was the case thirty years ago when hydro workers were excavating for foundations. Aztec ruins - The Templo Mayor - were uncovered. 

The Presidential Palace
in the City Square

We saw them on our walk around the City Plaza. We continued the walk to the Cathedral and the other side of the Plaza.

Continuing the walk around the City Centre we entered an Art Exhibition that featured contemporary art and then moved on the the oldest Convent in the Country. Previously a Franciscan Monastery it is now a Parish Church. All of the buildings we saw are sinking and are now some 3 metres below or above their original level.

The Palace of the Arts

The furthest point away from the Hotel was the visit to the Palace of the Arts. This place as with all the Museums on the list was closed so we could only admire it from the outside.

Next stop, and the last stop was the Post Office, an impressive building, inside and out.

Post Office stairway

Finally a weary bunch of lookey-loos dragged themselves back to the Hotel and then the last decision to be made - where to eat Dinner.

Found a place after walking around the block, this part of the City is not residential so eateries are not plentiful. We settled on convenience and little else.  The food was not good and served by a waiter who appeared to be trained by 'Manuel' form "Fawlty Towers"

Well tomorrow will be better.

 

A trip to Mexico City

The Trip to Mexico City with our friends and family - nine of us. We will fly to Mexico City in the morning and immediately start the tour. Our itinerary is below:

Day 1 (Monday January 31st): 

Airport pick-up and transfer to Hotel Catedral, historic centre of Mexico City Afternoon walking tour of Mexico City’s historic centre* and recommendations for dining in the evening. 

*Please note, museums are closed on Mondays (Templo Mayor and the Museum at the Palacio de Bellas Artes will not be included). 

Day 2: (Tuesday February 1st):

8 am: Breakfast in hotel followed by 9 am departure to Chapultepec Castle (also the city’s History Museum), offering great views of the city. Transfer to the National Museum of Anthropology – free time to explore this world-renowned museum, with excellent presentations on some of the places you will visit on the tour (Xochimilco, Teotihuacan and Templo Mayor). Late afternoon/evening time to visit more in the historic centre, such as Plaza Garibaldi.

Day 3 (Wednesday February 2nd):

8 am: Breakfast in hotel followed by 9 am departure to the ruins of Teotihuacan (approximately 1½ hours) for walking tour of this impressive archaeological site. Time for lunch and afternoon visit to silver workshop. Evening return to hotel for free time/dining. 

Day 4 (Thursday February 3rd):

8 am: Breakfast in hotel followed by 9 am departure to Coyoacan (approximately 1 hour) to visit the Casa Azul (Frida Kahlo Museum), town plaza and market. Time for lunch then transfer to Xochimilco to take a boat ride through the canals and learn about the pre-Hispanic Chinampa system (floating gardens). Evening free for dining. 

Day 5 (Friday February 4th):

Airport transfer – time to be confirmed. If departure time from hotel is after midday, there will be time to visit Templo Mayor in the morning (it is just one block from the hotel). 

Seven weeks in!

It's hard to believe that we have been here seven weeks already. That's because the experience is completely different this year. Damn Covid, it has made hermits of us all. No bus-riding, we stay at the condo and the pool and eat out a bit more.

Doreen has been doing a lot of reading I have been working on a website from scratch and may have it finished by the time we leave here.

The next project is a trip to Mexico City next week. This has been planned for months in cooperation with Mex-Eco Tours.

More to come.

Back to the Plaza Marina Studio #2

Well finally we are back to planning our return to our 'happy place' - a studio condo in Puerto Vallarta. Much rearranging has taken place for the trip. Firstly we didn't know exactly if we should be going back considering the Covid situation. Secondly we don't know what we are going back too. After all we had planned when we left in the chaos of 2019 to be back in 2020. That never happened. So with the airfare obtained by a voucher left over from last year we are heading out on December 2nd. 

Prescriptions taken care of, with at least two visits to the Pharmacy and a reminder visit to the Doctor's office. Covid vaccines taken care of - two jabs and a booster arranged for a day before we leave; the first available date. Bags packed and all the necessaries taken - tea bags, cereal and other needs.