Mexico City Part 2: Teotihuacan
As I mentioned yesterday, the main purpose of our trip to Mexico City was to see Teotihuacan. I have always been fascinated by pyramids and had the fortune of travelling to Egypt when I was nineteen, so this was actually my second pyramid. It was my husband’s first.
We were allowed to climb to the very top, but the thing is, I am terrified of heights! But I did it anyway.
Here we are at the top of the pyramid and it was all I could do to keep from totally having a panic attack! Going up was fairly easy because you aren’t looking at anything except the stones in front of you. But the way down was much harder! The levels are extremely steep and I just felt like if I let go of the railing I was going to tumble to the bottom. Speaking of bottoms, at one point the only way I was able to continue down the stairs was scooting on my bum! LOL! Not very glamorous, but neither is getting stuck on an ancient structure.
We had hired a private tour guide and he took us to a part of Teotihuacan that was off of the beaten path and not seen by many tourists. As a matter of fact, we were there for about 30 minutes and didn’t see anyone else the entire time! The building was where the people of the city lived and many of the wall murals survived! They had been restored and were amazing to look at.
One often hears of the pyramids of Mexico being compared to the pyramids of Egypt, but I found the art to be much more similar to things one would see in China, not Egypt. I’ve often thought the Mayans looked quite a bit like Asians, so I wonder if there is a connection between the two people. If anyone knows for sure, let me know in the comments.
I was rewarded for my vertical adventure with the most amazing cup of Mexican coffee. I don’t even like coffee and this was amazing. It was quite sweet and tasted a lot like molasses, without a hint of bitterness.
I also indulged in eating this cactus! Well, not this exact cactus, but one like it. And did you know when those lighter barrel shaped things ripen, they are quite sweet? The cactus didn’t really taste like anything and had a texture similar to the stem of broccoli.
Even though it was a quick trip, it was really terrific to go do something different, you know what I mean? It is so easy to get caught up in the everyday bump and grind, so to do something so out of my element was exciting. But of course I am thrilled to be back home. I’ve always said the best thing about traveling is the coming home.
I love your little adventure, we are headed to mazatlan the beginning of April and I cannot wait to partake in the beauty and culture! All the cathedrals are what I’m really looking forward to in terms of history there
Have a nice day!
You looked quite glamorous for taking a hike up an old pyramid, my dear! I would’ve been a sweaty mess!
xoxo- Kaara
Oh how fun! Ive never been to Mazatlan and should add it to my very long list of places I would like to visit.
What a wonderful trip, and I know you looked lovely scooting down the pyramid! Congratulations on such a wonderful accomplishment and thank you for sharing it with us.
Lol! I assure you “lovely” was the last thing I looked as I scooted down the stairs!
To answer your question, yes the Mayan, Inca, etc are closely related to modern Asian people. All american indians, whether north or south american, descended from people who migrated from Asia via Siberia across the Bering land bridge. They came from Siberia then dispersed throughout North and South America.
It sounds like a fun vacation, we went to Cancun last year but we didn’t get to do much site seeing due to lack of time. It would be nice to go back when we have a few more days to do fun stuff. Have a safe trip home.
Yes, I thought so. But I am still surprised that after so many years the art seemed so similar. I also wonder why there seems to be a big gap in space- ie: there are no pyramids in Canada or the USA even though they came through there first. It’s a mystery.
Sounds like you had an amazing trip. But I totally agree with you – whilst you had a fantastic trip, the best bit is arriving home again.
glamorous, adventurous lady!
respect for climbing up the pyramid – and looking really beautifull at top!
mexico is on our to go list to, but there is an ocean between…………………..
Yes, that ocean can be a great deterrent.
What a thoroughly awesome adventure! I love the snap of you two together and the gorgeous floral sundress you were wearing for your climb up an ancient pyramid. You truly epitomize looking fashionable wherever you go and whatever you do.
♥ Jessica
What great fun! My family is from Mexico but I’ve never seen the pyramids. Hopefully one day I will.
I LOVE eating cactus! It goes great with carne asada. My brothers are both addicted to prickly pears. My mom has a huge cactus at home so they get plenty of them in the Spring and Summer.
I have never had prickly pears but would like to try them someday.
If you can try the red or red-purple ones. They are the sweets.
I love the dress that you wore to the pyramid! Where can I find one?
The exact dress is sold out but you can still get the same dress in a different print here: http://bit.ly/Xpnhrf
So nice you had a good time in México, I went to the piramids last year in january, as mexican living in México it was a shame I hadn’t visit them, but a friend form itlay came to visit and we went there, I also climed the pyramid, as you say, to go up is much easier than go down! La Condesa is so pretty, we took the Turibus to see the city, I relally enjoyed my stayed in Mexico City too.
That coffee is named “Cafe de Olla” is bacause they boil the water ,coffe ,cinammon and “piloncillo” (some kind of brown sugar) in a ceramic jar and it really taste good!
I can relate to your panic descending the pyramid. The same thing happened to me on my first trip to San Francisco. To my surprise I freaked out while trying to cross Hyde Street, certain that I was going to tumble all the way down to the waterfront because there nothing to hold on to! Finally made it across and my husband had to pry me off the little tree I found to cling to. Do you think we acquire this as we become adults and stop climbing trees and going out on the roof to sunbathe? Love your dress and I hope it survived the scooting.
You are a better woman than I. I do not think I would have been able to overcome my fear of heights. BTW – a pinch of salt added to the coffee grounds prior to brewing takes the bitterness away.
Wow, I’d absolutely love to go to Mexico one day (or even see pyramids in Egypt!)