Sunday, May 28, 2017
Last Day in Mexico...
I had an awesome cab driver that I hire to take me outside the city limits to view The Aztec Pyramids.
There is nothing like when you are alone in a strange place to hire a driver that if the chemistry is there becomes your "friend" for the day.
The Aztec Pyramid of Tenayuca
Just 12 kilometers north of Mexico City stands one of the country's most impressive pyramids, Tenayuca. Dedicated to the sun cult, the core of this 13th-century building measures 31 by 12 meters across and eight meters high, while successive "casings" (the structure was re-clad every 52 years) saw the final structure measuring 66 by 62 meters across and 19 meters high. The pyramid bears many similarities to Mexico City's Templo Mayor and was probably used for stargazing as it was aligned with heavenly bodies, a fact indicated by the existence of posts in the pyramid walls at the exact spot where the sun goes down on the vernal and autumnal equinoxes. Highlights include the Serpent Wall (Coatepantli), which covers three sides of the building and comprises 138 serpent sculptures, and a vault decorated with skulls and skeletons symbolizing the setting of the sun. Also worth a visit, and just three kilometers away, stands the 10-meter-high temple pyramid of Santa Cecilia Acatitlán.
Which looks on paper better than in person as it is small.
There is nothing like when you are alone in a strange place to hire a driver that if the chemistry is there becomes your "friend" for the day.
Teotihuacán
The largest Pre-Columbian site so far excavated in Mesoamerica, Teotihuacán (Náhuatl, or "the place where man becomes God") lies 50 kilometers north of Mexico City and makes for an excellent day trip. On the edge of the high-lying valley of Anáhuac and dating from around AD 600, this once influential political, religious, and cultural center - now a UNESCO World Heritage Site - was reduced to ruins long before the arrival of the Spanish. There's much to see, from the museum with its displays and large model of the site to the four-kilometer long Street of the Dead (Calle de los Muertos). Other highlights include the Moon Pyramid, the Citadel(Ciudadela), and the Temple of Quetzalcóatl, a large pyramid distinguished by its 366 sculptures, a rarity in a city in which very few stone sculptures have been found. Also of interest is a rather chilling burial chamber with the skeletons of 18 priests murdered during a ritual sacrifice around AD 150.
This was an entire community of varying size pyramids.The Aztec Pyramid of Tenayuca
Just 12 kilometers north of Mexico City stands one of the country's most impressive pyramids, Tenayuca. Dedicated to the sun cult, the core of this 13th-century building measures 31 by 12 meters across and eight meters high, while successive "casings" (the structure was re-clad every 52 years) saw the final structure measuring 66 by 62 meters across and 19 meters high. The pyramid bears many similarities to Mexico City's Templo Mayor and was probably used for stargazing as it was aligned with heavenly bodies, a fact indicated by the existence of posts in the pyramid walls at the exact spot where the sun goes down on the vernal and autumnal equinoxes. Highlights include the Serpent Wall (Coatepantli), which covers three sides of the building and comprises 138 serpent sculptures, and a vault decorated with skulls and skeletons symbolizing the setting of the sun. Also worth a visit, and just three kilometers away, stands the 10-meter-high temple pyramid of Santa Cecilia Acatitlán.
Which looks on paper better than in person as it is small.
IHG Hotel
The Hotel IC Presidente was a wonderful hotel. Checking in was no problem. It was easy and got a room on the 40th floor overlooking all of downtown,. I spent the day relaxing, taking a short walk and eating at the hotel.
Obama had stayed here in 2009. I am glad I was not here for that visit as I was told over 3000 police, army and secret service were protecting the President.
I would stay here again due to its location.
Obama had stayed here in 2009. I am glad I was not here for that visit as I was told over 3000 police, army and secret service were protecting the President.
I would stay here again due to its location.
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