Monday 31 March 2014

Day 4 - Teothihuacan Ruin & the City of Puebla

Previous Post: Day 1-2 Mexico City

Photo Album: Teotihuacan & Pubela

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We drove out of Mexico City in the early morning, avoiding the worst of the traffic, and headed to the nearby Teotihuacan Ruin, an ancient temple centre of a city.

Teotihuacan is an UNESCO listed World Heritage site.  It is believed to have been built during the 350 years period of 100BC to 250AD.  And was destroyed, probably by an mass uprising in the 7th Century.

Being a Monday and the first group there, we were able to have a whole site to ourselves for a couple of hours.  Our guide, an indigenous Mexican, was very knowledgeable and, was demonstrating the sound effects of the site with great effect.  We can see how sounds can be amplified to a very large crowd during rituals, and how a clap echoed back as a bird sound....all very interesting...........






The original colour of the pyramid using natural colourings


Way before the history of mankind was recorded in written form, men had always wanted to believe in a deity......GOD.  And it was natural to think that GOD must be far above us, in the sky. And the common people seek solace in the believe that there is a supernatural being, taking care of things.


These steep and shallow staircases can be eerie coming down !



They were ( are ) more concerned about their after life, than about the present.


Pyramid of the moon climb

Pryamid of the Moon climb

For political and or mythical reasons, some want to appear to be reaching GOD, or closer than others to GOD. So they build structures to reach, or appear to be closer to GOD, therefore demonstrating POWER.


Pyramid of the Sun and Pyramid of the Moon ( in the distance )

Pyramids are the most stable structure available to ancient leaders to do just that, for them, the higher the better.  And it took them sometimes centuries, to prepare the grounds, the astronomy knowledge to build them.......the sizes, the steepness etc., giving the projection of awe, differentiating the hierarchy


Pyramid of the Moon at the end of the Avenue of the Death

Avenue of the Death

But nothing seems to protect them from their eventual demise, by natural or other men made events.......all that vanity went to ruins.  All power goes to corrupt.


Pyramid of the Sun climb

From the top of Pyramid of the Sun

From the top of Pyramid of the Moon, Av. of the Dead ahead, & Pyramid of the Sun on the left

It is same in Northern Africa, the same in Central America, all for no other reasons than to propagate the myth of GOD...to control minds and to exercise power and domination, and to cover up.


As it was then, as it is NOW...........






Arriving Puebla in a glorious sunny afternoon was a very refreshing experience comparing to the bustling and relatively chaotic Mexico City.


Park at the City Square ( Zocalo ) of Puebla

Western of Zocalo

Government Office at one side of Zocalo

Southern side of Zocalo

Cathedral of Puebla


Inside of Cathedral of Puebla



With its great collection of well preserved Spanish Colonial historic buildings and a UNESCO World Heritage accredited city center, the afternoon promised to be an interesting one.



To take advantage of the late afternoon sun, we took a local tourist bus (Turibus), from the town square ( zocalo ) for a city tour.... 







And we walked some more after a simple tostada meal in the good company of 3 beautiful ladies.

While we may be a little late to gain entry into the City Government Building at 8:30 pm, but our luck came when the guarding policeman was more than moved by the sweet smiling face of one our ladies......he then went around to chase her for a photo and contact details....talking about Mexican romeos....


Cathedral next to the town square

Inside the City Govt Bldg







Sunday 30 March 2014

Day 2-3, Mexico City (in two days) - my first experiences

Previous post: A very long day

Photo album: Mexico City



The historical and colonial adminstration centre of Mexico is a good starting point for a tour of the city. It features the Plaza Mayor ( Zocalo ), a typical Spanish Colonial city center setup with the Cathedral and the Government Offices surrounding a large puhlic square.

The City Cathederal at the northern side of the Zocalo


Families waiting for the christening of their new borns.



The well guarded entrance of the City Goverment by the Zocalo
"Mexico City center is a busy place" is probably an understatement, it's chokkas ! But never feel unsafe....people are very friendly, too many law enforcement types....and cacophony of loud speakers. 




It is the main shopping center for the nation, one can see people busy packing big bags with goods, probably someone buying their supplies for their shops at home afar. 






The retail system is still very backward, I bought a 2 peso electric connector, it took 3 steps.

(1) issuing a printed invoice with my name on it on a computer...then give me a small piece of paper with my order

(2) I then queue up to pay at the cashier, presenting them with my small piece of paper, who then issue me with a computer printer receipt.

(3) standby at the goods collection desk, waiting for my name to be called, fortunately, they did not call by the invoice number, I would have no way of differentiating the number in Spanish. A good 5 minutes wait.

The process took a good 15 minutes for my 2 peso ( A$0.15 ).

But the smaller electronic shops work the modern way....pay and go.

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After two days of walking around Mexico City...fancy a kerb side hair cut?! 






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They are well armored and armed to the teeth. I dare not taking pictures of those with machines guns...... and they are aplenty, most of them giggling to each other, busy on their mobile phones, or having their shoes shined.


Ain't these telling something? 




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An Aztecs Ruin right in the middle of central Mexico City....but this is only just a taste of the others ones to come down the journey.



This one was built, rebuilt and extended 7 times over a 200 year period, resulting in a 7 layered pyramid structure, until destroyed by the Spanish in 1521.








The layers are otherwise hidden, had it not been destroyed, characterised by the steep stone steps.




Native street hawkers and witch doctors....any comers wanting to ward off some bad "spirits" are satisfied.....working or not is another story!









Zocalo Square in Central Mexico City...and its magnificient Mayan exhibitions...remember that little calender that got the whole World in a bind at end of 2012...well there is the explanation as well.  Not that I understand Spanish....










and a very powerful street soprano


And my lunch, a street stall for some burritos,


And finally, my well chilled fresh fruit for brekky. Ran into this little "fruiteria" that sells freshly prepared fruit and various vegetarian freshies. So I made any "appointment", and they did not surprise.....even with cereal and nuts sprinkled. And the serving was huge....kept me full for the whole morning.



Well, tomorrow, we are starting the real adventure bit early in the morning...southwards.


And I have forgotten totally about Malaria tablets......so it was a case of hurrying to the pharmacy for some tropical strength mozzie sprays.

After hearing some of  the stories during the briefing, homeward may not be a bad option too.....%&*#$**!!