Mexico City, the last stop.

On my way to Mexico City, I made a quick stop at Puebla which is the third biggest town in Mexico and a huge cosmopolitan city, buzzing with traffic, people and commerce around the edges, but with a strangely calm, and village-like central zone. The area is well known for its beautiful talavera pottery, which is hand painted ceramic plates, pots, mugs, clocks etc. which I fell in love in. Unfortunately it is fragile so bringing much back would have been impossible!

 The stop was very quick, and before I knew it I was on my way to Mexico City. I had heard many things about this massive city and its estimated 20 million population. On one hand, I was told it was very dangerous, that I should be extremely careful and I felt like I was likely to get robbed, raped or attacked. On the other, I was told about the amazing central zone, the pyramids, and the high quality of museums.  Luckily, a volunteer at the disabled centre had put me in contact with her cousin Francisco who is local to the city and took me under his wing. He was a godsend and took his job very seriously, picking me up from the bus stop, taking me to my hostal and showing me around the town.

Preparations...

Mexico City's sinking buildings.

Although we wandered around the central area, I was unable to visit any of the famous museums because they were closed as a precautionary mesure for the upcoming Independence day celebrations.  I was a bit disappointed but the atmosphere was electric as locals and tourists alike milled around and lights and decorations were put up for the big day!

Standing on Sun temple looking at Moon temple.

My guide, Francisco.

On the big day, the 15th of September, we had an early start as we headed to Teotihuacan Pyramids, just outside of Mexico City. These ruins were truly magnificent, with two massive pyramids, dedicated to the sun and the moon, and a boulevard of smaller temples and buildings linking them together. They were located in a basin so the views were incredible. It was great to visit some archealogical ruins in a different way, as Francisco knew all sorts of random information about them and the people who lived there. We spent a relaxed morning at the pyramids, sitting at the top and chatting, enjoying the unlimited time we had.

This is the story of thge creation of the sun and the moon:

Two Gods offered themselves up for the sacrifice that would mean the creation of light in a world that was otherwise dark. They had to throw themselves into a furnace in the hope that they would come out as the sun.  The first to try was the arrogant Tecuiciztecatl, but each of the four times that he tried he failed bacause he was too afraid of burning. Second came Nanahuatzin who, closing his eyes threw himself into the fire, was consumed and, as was his destiny turned into the sun.  Desperate, Tecuiciztecatl threw himself into the fire after his companion, but only turned into the moon. Now the sun and the moon were in the sky at the same time so, to avoid this dilemna one of the other gods threw a rabbit at the moon so that it fell down and could only come back up at night.

After this we took several buses in the suburbs of Mexico City before arriving at his aunt's house, where the Bicentinary of Independence was being celebrated and where I was kindly invited to spend the evening. The evening was fantastic, a family affair with cousins, aunts, grandparents all gathered for traditional pozole, tequila (lots!!) and dancing. The following morning at 11 the fiesta was still going! I certainly experienced the Mexican party spirit to the full! 

Tequila!?

Dancing the night away.

The rest of the day was spent in the centre watching the military displays, returning early to the hostal, shattered and to pack for my flight home! 

I am now home, well rested, well fed and ready for whatever lies ahead of me! 

The trip was a fantastic experience and I wouldn't change a thing! I have travelled over 15,000 miles, spent over 3 days on buses of all different types of quality, shared a room for 10 weeks, climbed over mudslides, tried many different types of food and drinks and met people from all different walks of life. I have learnt a lot about myself (clichés exist because they are so true!) , what I like to do and what I don't, who I like and who I don't and what I am prepared to put with! 

Hasta luego on my next trip!

Here is a map of my journey:

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