eIrOcA

Mexico City (Sunday 26/08/07)

Anonymous (anonymous@undisclosed.example.com) — 2019-01-19T16:07:07+0000

Mexico City (Sunday 26/08/07)

You can not see all of this huge city in a single day!
Mexico City often suffer from bad publicity even by tour operators. The tourist areas of the city and the districts themselves are not so dangerous as they say. However, it is better not to walk around the city wearing valuables and be careful.
The city traffic is very intense. When you do not know the city the best means of transport is by taxi. Taxis in front the hotels are recommended because the drivers are bilingual and can wait during your visits. Simply agree on a price before departure according to your itinerary.
To get an idea of how is the everyday live in Mexico City is absolutely necessary to use one of the many buses that “fly” in the city traffic. They are numerous and all crowded, the peculiarity is that there are not “stops”, wherever you find one, just make a sign and you can literally “jump” on board. To use the bus requires a fair amount of balance in order to remain standing, and a greater amount of agility and coordination for both go down and, above all, to go up (the brakes are used very little).

Paseo de la Reforma

Paseo de la Reforma

Paseo de la Reforma: the main street also called “Les Champes-Elysées” of Mexico City, situated between the Museum of Anthropology and the Old Town.
The last Sunday of August it is closed to traffic due to a maratona, so the whole Paseo de la Reforma was available to the families, pedestrians and cyclists.

As you move away from the old town to southwest, the old construction become rarer and give way to modern buildings, which enhance with their grandeur and majesty the political and social role of the city. It is a very spectacular part of Mexico City, where it is concentrated the best of the capital, all the luxury and all the wealth.
Paseo de la Reforma is the main artery of the city, 15km long and wide up to twelve lanes, begins from Avenida Juarez and finish at Chapultepec Park. Wanted by Maximilian of Austria to give a European tone to the capital, the Paseo is lined by trees and statues of heroes and leaders. It was completed by Porfirio Diaz. Along its path is filled by super-luxury hotels, banks, financial companies offices and trendy shops. After Plaza de la Repubblica, there is the Glorieta Cristobal Colon, a roundabout with a statue in the center of the Genoese navigator, the work of French Charles Cordier (1877).
At the intersection with Avenida Insurgentes is the Glorieta Cuauhtemoc, with the monument to the last Aztec emperor. At the junction with Avenida Florencia, is the Glorieta El Angel, a roundabout with the Independence monument consists of a tall column with golden angel on top (1910).

Glorieta Cuauhtemoc

Glorieta El Angel

At the end of the way there are six thin columns of the monument to Los Ninos Heroes (at the entrance to Chapultepec Park) built in honor of the six National Military Academy cadets who sacrificed to defend the city from North America (September 17th, 1847).

Los Ninos Heroes monument

Woods of Chapultepec

Woods of Chapultepec

In the Nahutatl language Chapultepec means “hill of grasshoppers”. The namesake park is the green lung of this asphyxial city is crossed by the Paseo de la Reforma. More than 840 hectares of parkland studded with museums and playgrounds. On top of a short hill stands the Castillo.
The park was the hunting and the summer palace of Moctezuma. The Castillo, starting in 1785, became the residence of the Spanish viceroy, then home to the National Military since 1843, and finally since 1864 home of Maximilian and Charlotte of Austria during their adventure in Mexico. The Presidents of Mexico lived there up tp 1940, when Lazaro Carena transformed it into the History Museum. In the rooms you can admire relics of the Revolution and two large murals, one of Siquierios and the other of Camarena.

Castillo

Museo Historia

Among the trees of the park there is the zoo and the botanical garden, with animals and plants across America.
Almost at the edge of the park there is the Museo de Arte Moderno, which houses the large murals and the highest representatives of the Mexican school of painting.

⇐ Day 1: Mexico City

⇒ Day 3: Teotihuacan

Travels, Mexico, Mexico City, Paseo de la Reforma, Chapultepec

Teotihuacan (Monday 27/08/07)

Anonymous (anonymous@undisclosed.example.com) — 2019-01-19T16:07:07+0000

Teotihuacan (Monday 27/08/07)

For reasons of traffic you should visit Teotihuacan in the morning. For convenience, we endorsed one of the many taxi drivers affiliated with the hotel, and it was good.
As a first step took us to the place of a cooperative living by making Obsidian objects and multicolored fabrics made of cotton and agave. They shown us the working of obsidian, how to build cord from the agave and how to extract the Pulche, agave lymph, which can be drunk as it is slightly alcoholic (not bad after all).
Subsequently, the driver took us to the Pyramid of the Moon and he waited us at the end of the Way of the Dead, but only after making a long introduction to the site and having us hear the cry of an ancient extinct bird, a strange acoustic effect produced clapping in the middle of the squares of some archaeological sites (also at Chichen Itza).

Teotihuacan where "men become gods"

Lying forty kilometers northeast of Mexico City, the city is located in a huge valley in the middle of the arid mountains, it was the largest city and capital of Mexico's largest pre-Columbian empire.
It is one of the most important archaeological sites. In its period of maximum splendor, the place where “men became gods”, was inhabited by 250,000 people. It was founded in 150 BC in a strategic position, by the excellent climate, capable of controlling the traffic to the Gulf of Mexico. From farming town soon became a manufacturer of obsidian and trade center.
Today is one of the most visited sites of Mexico and the local population continues to live on the production of obsidian, manufacturing beautiful pieces based upon models collected in different sites of the country.
In the seventh century began its decline. I Its inhabitants abandoned it in 750.
Entering you see the Great Sacred Way, Avenida de los Muertos, the main axis, is flanked by wide platform for the celebration of religious rites.
The Great Sacred Way leads to Ciudadela, built in the classical period, reaches a considerable length of 400m. It consists of four platforms and preserves the Temple of Quetzalcoatl, whose facade has fine examples of Teotihuacan tablero. The steps of the temple is flanked by numerous alfarda with huge heads of plumed serpent.

Avenida de los Muertos

Head of plumed serpent

On the left rises the gigantic the Pyramid of the Sun: a square base with 225m and 63m high, 365 steps.
Get ready for a long, steep climb (in the whole site there are also steps on the road in plain …), but from the top the view is remarkable.

Pyramid of the Sun

At the north stands, in the Plaza de la Luna, the Pyramid of the Moon: 46m high, formed by four superimposed levels, with 112 steps. This ascent was certainly easier to accomplish than the climb to the Pyramid of the Sun, also because it was limited the first steps, as you can not climb to the top.

Plaza de la Luna

Pyramid of the Moon

The Plaza de la Luna includes other buildings such as the Palace of the Butterfly or Placio del Quetzalpapalotl, with a patio that has several columns with depictions of the Quetzal Butterfly, the Patio of the Jaguars with traces of paintings and the Temple of the fledged shells dating back to second century.

Patio of the Jaguars - traces of paintings

Guadalupe, Our Lady India

Apparition of Our Lady of Guadalupe

In December 9, 1533 the Virgin appeared close in a cloak embroidered with gold, to the Indian Juan Diego in the woods, on the Cerro El Tepeyac, where once stood the Aztec temple of the goddess Tonantzin, mother of the gods. Our Lady asked him to build a chapel in her honor, but the bishop, Fray Juan de Zumarraga, gave no regard to the words of Juan Diego. The Mother of Christ, then clear again, imprinting his image on the white mantle of indium and telling him to gather the roses that grew in that place and to bring them along to the mantle, to the prelate.
The coat is hung above the marble altar of the new Basilica.
Since then, Our Lady of Guadalupe was the saint patron of Mexico. Thus the work of conversion of indigenous peoples was also facilitated by this prodigy, used instrumentally by Spanish clergy.

Our Lady of Guadalupe

The new basilica

⇐ Day 2: Mexico City

⇒ Day 4: Mexico City

Travels, Mexico, Mexico City, Teotihuacan, Our Lady of Guadalupe

Campeche - Uxmal - Merida (Friday 07/09/07)

Anonymous (anonymous@undisclosed.example.com) — 2019-01-19T16:07:07+0000

Campeche - Uxmal - Merida (Friday 07/09/07)

Uxmal ("Three times built" in Mayan language)

Uxmal is a site notable for the delicacy of its architecture and the end working of stone (do not forget that this civilization did not use metal to build) its peak is dated around the year 600 of our era.

Inside you can admire:

The Temple of fortune-teller, on which stands the Temple of Chenes whose entrance is the mouth of a huge animal.
The Quadrangle of the Nuns richly decorate.
The game of pelota.
The House of Turtles.
And the Government Palace.
The Great Pyramid where the view is superb. The name Maya is “Och Mal” (three buildings).

Temple of the fortune-teller

Temple of Chenes

Quadrangle of the Nuns

The game of pelota

The House of Turtles

Government House

Great Pyramid

Uxmal

Along the way we have always been accompanied by iguanas, Uxmal seems their reign.

Iguana

Merida

Founded in 1542 the area of the Mayan city of Tiho, by Francisco de Montejo, called the “ship's boy” is often also called the Ciudad Bianca, the white city.
After the glorious era at the beginning of the century with the production of “Sisal” agave, Merida knows the difficult times during the revolution of 1910. Today, Merida is back to being the main center of the region. It's a university town, agricultural, industrial and with the birth of Cancun 30 years ago, has found a new momentum to position itself among the most urbanized city in the country.
Do not forget to visit the zocalo, the murals on the first floor of the palace of the governor, the Hall of marriages (beautiful style Porfiriato “inspired by the French at the beginning of the century), the market (on the corner of routes 56 and 57), the Paseo Montejo and the Archaeological Museum (closed on Mondays). Check with your hotel on the cultural activities taking place on different squares of the city according to the day of the week. You can do after the Zocalo of carriage walks (beautiful at night).

⇐ Day 13: Palenque - Campeche

⇒ Day 15: Merida – Chichen Itza - Cancun

Travels, Mexico, Uxmal, Merida

Tuxtla - San Cristobal De Las Casas (Sunday 02/09/07)

Anonymous (anonymous@undisclosed.example.com) — 2019-01-19T16:07:07+0000

Tuxtla - San Cristobal De Las Casas (Sunday 02/09/07)

We entered into Chiapas.

Chiapas

State of exceptional beauty and great ecological diversity. After the plateau of the valley of Oaxaca, you'll discover a mountainous region rich in wild rivers, deep canyons and virgins forests. It's also one of the poorest states of Mexico which has undergone significant changes in the next fifteen years.
Diverging interests of the indigenous people of Chiapas, refugees from Guatemala, the companies of exploitation of forests and the government, have put a strain on the fragile culture and economy of this state… Although the timing of the rebellion (pacifist and media based) supported by “sub commander Marcos” now is just a remeber, is recommended during this journey to stay on the main crowded and road.

The distance between Tuxtla and San Cristobal is not great, but to do this path it took a day because it was necessary to make a stop along the way to make a boat trip on the Rio Grijalva (Rio Grande de Chiapa) to cross the imposing Canyon of Sumidero.

Chiapa de Corzo

This small colonial city located on the banks of the Rio Grijulva has a beautiful place to walk. You can visit his beautiful Spanish fountain on zocalo (central square), the Temple of Santo Domingo, the small museum of “lacquer” and the frescoes in the town hall (Palacio Municipal).

For hiking in the Canyon of Sumidero, the launches expect that the number of people required to fill the boat, fortunately it did not last long, although ours was the first boat to leave that morning.

Chiapa De Corzo

Boats

Canyon of Sumidero

Canion of Sumidero

Gigantic natural canyon crossed by the Rio Grijalva. Chicoasen dam has transformed in 1981 into a large reserve. The canyon walls in some places reaches a height of 1km.

If it's a sunny day be sure to sprinkle them carefully the sunscreen, the breeze caused by the boat ride you will not feel the sun shining and you can hold nasty surprises.
Along the river you come across an area that locals call “El Tapon”.
In this area of the river, a strange game of currents collect all debris that sail along the river and during raining days fall from the canyon walls.
To cross “El Tapon” the boat had to make several maneuvers to not be entangled with the numerous floating logs.
It was amazing to see how the layer of waste allowed birds to walk on water of the river and also see that families are kept picking up the larger debris and then resell them as firewood.
If we were to pick you warm, be quiet, the boatmen have a habit of making a joke to all the tourists, a quick refreshing shower under a beautiful waterfall, where time has created several terraces covered with moss where the water falls.

Canion of Sumidero - El Tapon

Canion del Sumidero - cascata

San Cristobal de Las Casas

Toward San Cristobal

We go back into the car and starts to climb.
Founded in 1528 by Captain Diego de Mazariegos is located at 2120 meters altitude.
San Cristobal is a charming little colonial town surrounded by pine forests on the shores of a valley in the heart of the mountainous of the central region of Chiapas.
Following events of 1994, the military presence has been reinforced in recent years, this does not prevent you a peaceful and enjoyable stay in this city, where lives the largest indigenous community in Mexico.

⇐ Day 8: Oaxaca - Tuxtla Gutierrez

⇒ Day 10: San Cristobal and its surroundings

Travels, Mexico, Chiapas, Chiapa de Corzo, Canyon del Sumidero, San Cristobal

Mexico City - Puebla (Wednesday 29/08/07)

Anonymous (anonymous@undisclosed.example.com) — 2019-01-19T16:07:07+0000

Mexico City - Puebla (Wednesday 29/08/07)

After the largest urban area in the world, we wnet to the magnificent colonial cities, several pre-Hispanic sites (Aztec, Zapotec, Mixtec Maya), the stunning scenery and indigenous regions still preserving their traditions.

Cholula

Located 10km west of Puebla, this small farming village is mainly specialized in the cultivation of flowers.
Cholula is one of the largest pre-Columbian ceremonial centers and enjoys of a terrible reputation: it seems that when the Spaniards arrived there, its walls were covered with the blood of sacrificial victims. The conquistadors, terrified, completely razed to the ground, killing all its inhabitants, and built in its place a new city with 365 churches, one for every saint in the calendar.
Remains the Great Pyramid of Tepanapa, taller than 120m, the highest in the Americas, in which the tunnels have been restored (8km) and the summit of which there is the basilica of Nuestra Señora de los Remedios, which is accessed by strenuous steps.
From his yard the view is incredible and in clear day you can see the snow-capped Popocatepetl volcano.

Basilica of Nuestra Señora de los Remedios

Cholula

Popocatepetl volcano

Puebla

Capital of the state, it was founded in 1531 under the name “Ciudad de los angeles” in a very fertile valley. At 216 meters above sea level, it is surrounded by high mountains of which the best known and the “Cerro de la Malinche”. Towards the middle of the nineteenth century, Puebla was the scene of fighting between the Mexican armed forces and the United States agents who seized the city in 1847. On 5 May 1862, the General Laurence commander of French troops failed in his attempt to seize the city, having been defeated by General Ignacio Zaragoza (thanks to this victory 5 May has become the day of national holiday in Mexico).
Today this city has developed significantly, with its 3 million inhabitants, is square to the 4th place of the national ranks. Puebla is famous for its colorful colonial architecture through the use of multicolored glazed tiles, which are used in the majority of the domes of churches, as well as in wall coverings, roofs, bell towers. The decorations are inspired by the pagan myths as the artists was the direct descendants of the builders of temples and pyramids.
We must not forget the renowned gastronomy with the famous “Plobano mole” (sauce composed of many ingredients, among them the cocoa).
In Puebla there is the largest German community living in Mexico and it organize, in August, the festival of beer, which has nothing to envy to 'Oktober Fest' in Monaco of Bavaria.

Puebla

⇐ Day 4: Mexico City

⇒ Day 6: Puebla - Oaxaca

Travels, Mexico, Cholula, Puebla

Merida - Chichen Itza - Cancun (Saturday 08/09/07)

Anonymous (anonymous@undisclosed.example.com) — 2019-01-19T16:07:07+0000

Merida - Chichen Itza - Cancun (Saturday 08/09/07)

Chichen Itza

Chichen Itza

Chichen Itza - “The enter of sorcerers wells” in the Mayan language.
Born in the classical epoch, Chichen Itza shows, however, due to different architectural styles, two distinct periods of Mayan history. The monumental pyramid “El Castillo” (also called the Pyramid of Kukulcan) of Toltec and Mayan influence, testify the rich cosmological symbolism: the four sides to a total 365 steps (the days of the calendar), 52 panels (the years of the century Maya ) and 18 terraces (the months of the religious calendar).
Thousands of visitors are interested to the Castillo in spring and autumn equinoxes, in these days, the sun lights up the pyramid creating a shadow shaped like a snake, which goes down the stairs to meet the head of a snake engraved at the base.
Close to Castillo sits the Tzompantli, a platform marked by stone carvings of human skulls. Close to the Tzompantli is the Templo de lo Jaguares. Nearby is the wonderful game of pelota.
From here a path leads to the cenote where human sacrifices took place. This holy well, represents for the Maya the most important place of worship throughout the territory. The name of Mayan origin was undoubtedly: “Uuc-jab-nal”.
Returning to the Castillo, we arrive at the Templo de los Gurreros (Temple of the Warriors). The figure, on top of the temple, holding a plate on which the human hearts were offered to the gods and to Mila Columns (the Thousand Columns).
Following the thousand columns we reach the market and continuing we arrive to steam baths.
Returning to Castillo and going south we reach the Caracol (Observatory), which dominates the area. From its dome priests observed the motion of the stars and made their rituals.
Not far away, the monastery with many rooms, built in the ancient Maya royal palace adjacent to the Iglesia.

Chichen Itza - The Pyramid

Tzompantli

Templo de lo Jaguares

Game of pelota

cenote

Templo de los Gurreros

Mila Columnas

Market

Steam bath

Caracol (Observatory)

Convent

Iglesia

Cenotes

The Yucatan Peninsula is one of the last parts of the continent to be emerged from the ocean. It's a great platform limestone where water seeps into the cracks to form underground streams, caves and wells (cenotes). In this way on the surface there is no water, no rivers, due also to to lack of hills.
During the pre-Hispanic times, these wells have been crucial for the installation of the populations (for example at Chichen Itza, the sacred cenote was used also for rituals).
The IK-KIL Cenote is very similar to those of Chichen ltza. It was fixed so we can go to the water for bathing. The depth is 46 meters and is certainly the most profound in Yucatan.

Valladolid

Valladolid

This small city is the second most important Yucatan. Founded in 1543 by Francisco de Montejo “el Mozo” (to distinguish him from his father “el Adelantado”) takes its name from its namesake in Spain. In Valladolid, you will see two buildings of the colonial era: the church of San Gervasio (seventeenth of the century) and the convent of San Bernardino (sixteenth century).
We recommend just two steps walk to the zocalo and to climb the first floor of City Hall to see the murals.

Valladolid - Murales

The adventure is coming to an end, this was the night before we expect the plane to Cancun for the fraudu home. So take a break under the trees that cool the Zocalo of Valladolid.

eIrOcA

Cancun

Great resort developed in 1967, when the Mexican government chose this narrow strip of sand between the sea and the lagoon as a favorite place to develop the tourist potential.
Cancun and the Riviera Maya has everything to seduce. It's hard to imagine a site with more rich in natural, historical and tourist attractions. For lovers of sun drenched beaches 20km of turquoise water of the Caribbean Sea and for lovers of history a vast region steeped in Mayan influence.
There are two great roads in Cancun: Tulum road, the main north-south km long gravity around which the city center and the boulevard Kukulkan that runs through the lagoon where is the hotel zone.

Greetings to all!

⇐ Day 14: Campeche - Uxmal - Merida

⇒ Faces of Mexico

Travels, Mexico, Chichen Itza, Cenotes, Valladolid, Cancun