Driving Around Central Mexico

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Wednesday, 12 April 1995 - Drove to Teotihuacan, and spent the day exploring the remarkable ancient city of pyramids. Climbed both the Pyramid of the Sun and Pyramid of the Moon on the Avenue of the Dead admired detailed carvings of Quetzalcoatl and Tlaloc at the Temple of Quetzalcoatl and walls around the Citadel, then wrapped up the day in Mexico City navigating its lively traffic, checked into Hotel Krystal Rose, and enjoyed dinner at Fonda el Refugio after a long, rewarding day at the ruins.

Mexico 1995
Most of the day was spent driving to and then touring Teotihuacan. Teotihuacan is outside Mexico City several miles built about 100 BC and inhabited through 900 AD. Cal, VA, and Cal's mom and dad are standing on top of the Sun Pyramid which was built over a natural spring. It is the largest in Precolumbian America at 738 feet on each side and 213 feet high. At one time there was a temple on top that would have increased the height to 249 feet.
Mexico 1995
This is one of the walls forming the Temple of Quetzalcoatl. The figure on the far right is of a serpent emerging from a flower with eleven flowers - this is Quetzalcoatl. In the center of the picture is the rain god, Tlaloc. The temple is part of The Citadel that served as the governmental center.
Mexico 1995
Another picture of the Temple of Quetzalcoatl showing the alternating representations of the plumed serpent, Quetzalcoatl and the rain god. This has survived because it was buried when a larger modern temple was built over the older structure.
Mexico 1995
The head of a Quetzalcoatl serpent at the foot of a staircase.
Mexico 1995
This is picture of a mural depicting plumed jaguars carrying a musical instrument made from conch-shell. Appropriately located in the Temple of the Plumed Conch-shell
Mexico 1995
This is a picture from the top of the Pyramid of the Moon looking down the Street of the Dead. On the left is the Pyramid of the Sun. The Pyramid of the Moon is the second-tallest structure in Teotihuacan at 152 feet in height but because it was built on higher ground than the Pyramid of the Sun they are actually about the same height above sea level. We were pretty beat after climbing both of the pyramids.
Mexico 1995
This last picture is of Cal and his parents standing in the patio in the Palace of the Quetzal-Butterfly one of the few buildings around the Plaza of the Moon that was not a temple. This was probably a great king's or high priest's residence since it is very luxurious.
After a long day of driving and hiking we headed for Mexico City, which is not far. We arrived and experienced the chaos of city traffic. After the first 30 minutes you get used to jumping just prior to the green light and the constant honking of horns. Locating the Krystal Rose hotel and then taking a taxi to Fonda el Rusugio for dinner was relaxing.

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