Pyramids Part 2: Pyramid of the Sun

The biggest building in Teotihuacan was the Pyramid of the Sun (although a lot of it is reconstructed). It was more crowded than the Pyramid of the Moon, but there was a great view at the top. The steps weren't as steep, so even though it was much further, it was easier.

View from the top.

Pyramid of the Moon from the midway up on the Pyramid of the Sun.

Elena is tired.

Pyramids Part 1: Pyramid of the Moon

 

My trip to Teotihuacan, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, has to be broken up into a few parts because I took so many pictures. Teotihuacan is about an hours drive or so from Mexico City. It was great to be out in the mountains and get some fresh air! When we got there our guide explained the history of the area to us and then sent us on our way. This ruined city is named Teotihuacan, but nobody knows what it was actually called when the people who built it lived here. When it was discovered it was completely grown over and the pyramids just looked like hills (there are still a lot of equally spaced "hills" which are suspiciously the same size sitting out there).

The first pyramid we went to was the Pyramid of the Moon. It is only partly restored, so you can only walk up half way. I was happy about that though, the steps were incredibly steep and we basically crawled up!

Me in front of the Pyramid of the Moon.

At the top we had an amazing view of the Pyramid of the Sun (to the left) and the Avenue of the Dead. A fun fact our guide told us is that the Pyramid of the Sun mirrors the shape of the mountain behind it, which you can see in the picture above. The Pyramid of the Moon also mimics the shape of the mountain behind it, but I don't have any good pictures.

Elena and me at the top, still trying to catch our breath!

The top of the Pyramid of the Moon behind me.

Sitting on the ledge getting some sun.

Walking down the Avenue of the Dead.

An original painting. How the whole city used to be decorated.

Cactus and Weaving

Before we went to the pyramids on Saturday, our tour guide took us to a little place to learn about cactus´(and try to sell us things of course).

Elena and I got to go in our own special little group because every else spoke Spanish and we wanted an English guide. We learned about welding silver and all of the things you can get from a cactus plant. Did you know they have to kill it first before it makes the stuff that is then used to make tequila, mezcal, or pulque? You can also get pieces of paper out of the layers of cactus, as well as a sharp spike used for writing and thread used to make clothes.

We got to try some fresh pulque and tequila, then try out hand at weaving.

Conclusion: my feet were way too small to work that machine.

Plaza de Tres Culturas

Over the weekend I took a tour with my coworker that took us to three different cultural spots in or near Mexico City. The first stop was the Plaza de Tres Culturas or the Plaza of Three Cultures. It is called this because you can see buildings from three centuries standing the same place.

The oldest is the pyramid, which was destroyed and the materials were used to build the church behind it (the second age). The third is the modern buildings behind the church.

The square towards the building in the back of the this picture is also the home of the Tlatelolco Massacre. In 1968 anywhere from 40 to 300 people (eyewitnesses said hundreds) of people were killed as they protested ten days before the Olympic games in Mexico.

Quick stop at the Revolutionary Monument

Leon Trotsky Museum

Well it has been a couple of weekends now, but when we visited the Casa Azul my co-worker and I also went to the Leon Trotsky museum. It is a couple of blocks away from la Casa Azul. Leon Trotsky and his wife had political asylum in Mexico and were living with Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera, but then moved to their own home when Leon and Frida started hooking up (according to the Frida Kahlo Hollywood production...). He was killed there within the same year.

In the gardens.

Leon´s study.

The house has been kept mostly in the same condition and is pretty austere. Not a lot of decoration and very small rooms.

Boarded up kitchen window.

After multiple attacks all of the windows facing outside had to be boarded up.

Trotsky and his wife survived one attack by huddling in that corner.

Bullet holes.

Office and blocked off balcony.

Xochimilco

Last Saturday Aaron and I went with some friends to Xochimilco, which is supposedly the Venice of Mexico. It is famous for its calm rivers where you can rent colorful boats for as many hours as you want and float around. One guy steers the whole boat with one paddle. Its an intense job.

Along the way there are plenty of people to sell you food and drinks, like this woman selling grilled corn. (I forget the real name of this snack, its corn covered in mayonnaise, cheese, and chili powder.)

I told Aaron NOT to get it especially because there is no way that mayonnaise has been properly refrigerated. He got it anyway and he was so happy until he realized it didn't taste as good as it looks.

Making food. They tie themselves to your boat to cook.

Selling huge micheladas.

We shared one because they were so big! But Aaron actually doesn't like them so I drank it all.

Dead baby doll island. An art installation.

A boat named Miriam! Its hard to read.

We had a great time at Xochmilco but it was a pain to get there (2 hours on the metro). I am going again today with a group for my roommate's going away party, luckily I'm getting a ride!

Gran Hotel

On Sunday Aaron and I treated ourselves to a night at a hotel in the historical center of Mexico City. I figured it was the only way to guarantee that Aaron at least saw some touristy stuff while he was here, since the hotel sits on the Zocalo, or main square.

We chose to stay at the Gran Hotel because it was a little nicer than the other options (Best Western?) and only cost a little more.

Tiffany Ceiling. 

Sweet lobby.

Before checking into our room we had brunch at the restaurant on the top of the hotel.

View at brunch.

When we booked our room we saw that it was only $20 to upgrade to a Junior Suite with a view of the Zocalo, so obviously we went for it (most of the hotel faces a smaller side street). Our room was definitely the biggest hotel room I've ever been in.

Our sitting room with an extra t.v. (which we didn't use) and the hallway leading to the bedroom. 

I forgot to take a picture of the bathroom, but it was super nice and there were bathrobes which just makes my life complete in any hotel.

View from our room. There was a big protest that Sunday.

The view at night was beautiful!

Complimentary chocolate covered strawberries... it was a surprise.

It was raining, so we decided to order room service, which was actually very affordable and delicious compared to room service at U.S. hotels I've been to. Plus the table they brought with a table cloth and flowers??? We loved it.

Chandelier in the entrance to the lobby.

 Aaron amazed at the chandelier... wishing he could stay longer!

It was a great hotel and very reasonably priced for the location and service. Our total bill with room service, mini bar, and a full sit down breakfast was well under $200. If you ever find yourself in Mexico City, this is a wonderful place to stay