The Moon Pyramid

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The temple at the end of the grand Calzada  it'sthe Moon Pyramid (Another building named by the aztecs, the real name it's unknown), it's part of an important complex named (no way!!) Moon Plaza, this large space, which is surrounded by thirteen buildings, was a splendid space for public rituals. Although he was called by the Aztecs, "the closure of the moon" (meztli itzacual), in reality, according to some exploratory excavations, is much more likely  thath was dedicated to the goddess of fertility and water.

Unlike the pyramid of the Sun, the Moon  pyramid was the product of at least seven stages contructed. In each of these extensions were made that led to the large volume that visitors now see. Each time one of these extensions was constructed which enhanced dedicatory complex rituals, which included the deposit of rich offerings and sacrifices.

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The Sun Pyramid

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This is it!!!, what you were waiting for, the incredible, marvelous and colossal Sun Pyramid, the giant of the Americas, this is, the most known building in all Teotihuacan, and obviously the most visited, however this massive rock edifice it's a plain bare rock construction, little it's known about it, even it's real name it's unknown,  'cause it's actual name, the Sun pyramid, was imposed by the Aztecs, more less a thousand years after the collapse of the classical period.

It has been the most attractive building in the city for millennia, and it has to be, 'cause it can be seen from miles and in ancient times it was covered with a red layer of stucco and it's believed to be the center of all religious activity, not only in Teohtihuacan itself, but also was really important in whole Mesoamerica (Experts think, that this pyramid was the focus of  pilgrimage from all Mesoamerica) 

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Thanks to the discoveries made in the pyramid, experts believe that the structure was dedicated to rain or at least to some aquatic deity. However, the real purpose of the temple remains in complete mistery.

There are two more buildings that enclose the pyramid, The Plaza of the Sun and the Palace of the Sun. Some experts consider this, The palace, the ancient residence of the most important priest of the pyramid.

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Calzada de los Muertos/Avenue of the Death

A city of the colossal dimensions of Teotihuacan must have a careful urban design, which included  the conception of the universe that governed the lives of its inhabitants. The metropli was arrange in two principal axes, the most important was the Calzada de los Muertos/Avenue of the death (It was named like this, 'cause when it was discovered, it was believed that all the mounds that enclosed the avenue were tombs). This course was surrounded by a massive housing complex and all kind of buildings for the administration of the government, this was the place for all the ceremonial activity where all the importat things happened. The Avenue is about 3 miles, although the area now seen it's over a mile, along which are all important buildings

a) The Calzada de los Muertos housing complex

It's posible that, from the arise of the city (225-350 A.D.), the housing complex of the Calzada, it's believed to were the aristocracy or even the ruler resided (The Citadel it's believed that it was the residence as well). The importance of this complex it's indicated by the quality of building materials, the decorative elements and to be in the midway between the ceremonial centers and the Citadel. The most remarkable thing of this complex (and that's why it's worthy of your atention), is that here you can see more than one construction periods, and see the development of the architecture in Teotihucan.

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The Citadel

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It's one of the most remarkable complexes in Teotihuacan, not just 'cause it's monumental dimensions (400 square meters/1,310 square feet), or its flawless architecture, but for it's location in center of the city (Teotihuacan was huge, the actual site is just the "downtown"), this distinguished position has been taken as a sign of it's importance in the ancient city activities, some archaeologist believe that it was the resindece of monarchs. The citadel, it's composed by two important buildings, The Temple of Quetzalcoatl, the plaza and two housing complexes.

a) The temple of the feathered serpent

It's more accurate to call the structure "The temple of the feathered serpent", 'cause we ignore the original name and purpose of the edifice, even if it is dedicated to a specific god or it is a residence or other thing. Calling the building "The temple of Quetzalcoatl", it's erroneous 'cause it is the name of a posterior Aztec divinity.

When this temple was found, it was covered with a more simplistic pyramid, for the archaelogist this was confusing, Why the rulers want to cover such a fantastic estructure?.... well, some experts thing that it was built in a peaceful time (around 150 A.D.), and it was an ornamental building designed for the ruler ceremonies, and later (350 A.D.), the things were changing in the city, the monarchs needed a more militaristic construction, and the original was covered (just a theory).

Neverthless, the original building it's marvelous, it has a profuse adorning in all it's sides, composed by feathered serpents representations in the talud (an inwards-sloping external side of a structure) and tablero (a surmounted rectangular panel), in all the visible platforms. The serpents appear to be in an acuatic environment as it indicated by all the shells and conches that enclose the snake relief.

Those found on the boards topped with large heads and worn on the body a headdress shaped reptilian head. Recent interpretations suggest that the building was related to the creation of time and the calendar, and the feathered serpent as the patron of the city rulers.

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Guide: Teotihuacan

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If you didn't take a tour, and you reach Teotihuacan by your own (Even if you're in a tour, some of them are just telling a lot of lies), this is an important guide for you. This site it's huge, marvelous in every detail and exciting if you know where to go.

Important Advices

As I told you, the site it's enormous and has a lot gates for enter to the city. The classic entrance to the city it's Gate 1 (Oh, what a surprise!), and is where the bus leave you and pick you up for your return. There are some advices that are important before you go to the city:

a) Bring water with you, plenty of it, 'cause it's gonna be hot, very hot!!. Buying it in the entrance it's not a good idea, the price it's too high in those stores, if you can, buy it in the city it's the best option.

b) You'll walk and climb a lot, and wearing sandals or something like that it's not the best idea. The pathways in Teotihuacan are covered with pebble, so, imagine that in your unprotected feet. Bring sneakers that's all. 

c)Bring a hat, sombrero, cap or whatever you use to cover your head. Teotihuacan is sunny almost everyday, and the average temperature it's 80˚ F.  Obviously, it's not recommended a great exposure to this conditions... please be careful.

Now, that I've told you some advices, let's enjoy the city

Historical Background

Teotihuacan was once the most important city in central Mexico (Altiplano Central), it was the cultural, economic and religious heart of all Mesoamerica. It was built by a combination of groups, and not from any of the most known groups of the region (Olmec, Totonoca, Mayan, Aztecs or Toltecs weren't the builders of the city).

There's evidence of human ocupation in the site from 800 b.C. (Teotihuacan mapping project), however the real important periods run from 150 to 550 A.D. where al the important buildings where built, and the city reach it's highest population, 125,000 inhabitans with 2,000 habitational complexes. It's influence can be trace from the northern cities (there were some cities there), to the Maya Region, in cities like Tikal and Kaminaljuyú (There's a part in Tikal that has the Teotihuacan architectonic style, it's believed that it was a district inhabited by Tehotihuacans).

It was an important center of obsidian production, In fact, it was because the obsidian produced in the city was unique, it can be traced in almost every important city in Mesoamerica. Some experts believe that this was the reason of it's importance in the region.

 However, even it was the center of all mesoamerican activity, the city colapsed in only in 100 years (550 to 650 A.D.), it's not certain the real cause of this swift decline, there are a lot of beliefs and studies about the subject, but none of them are oficial or demonstrated.

The problem with all the knowledge of the site, is that there's no direct source, well, there are no source who can explain or tell us the history of Teotihuacan, there's only the things that the archaelogy has dugg from it's soil. We don't the language spoken in the city, neither the name of their gods or their kings, even the real name of the city and it's monuments it's a complete mistery (The name "Teotihuacan" was created by the aztecs 1,000 years later after the colapse of the metropoli), all we know it's what the bare rock tell us.

Well, after this historical brief, let's go to the site.... let's go!


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Destination: Teotihuacan

Teotihuacan it's gonna be my first place to reviewing. First of all, it's one of the biggest and most important archaeological sites in Mexico, it's the jewel of the central region known as "Altiplano Central", it's in the outskirts of the Mexico City (In fact, it's part of the city), you can spend an entire day in the city (it's huge!!) and most of all, 'cause it's fascinating. There are a lot of places you have to visit there: The colossal pyramids (Sun and Moon), The temple of Quetzalcoatl, The palace of Quetzalpapalotl, Calzada de los Muertos, the Site Museum and The frescoes and murals museum.

How to get there

As I said, Teotihuacan is in the outskirts of the Mexico City, getting there is extremely easy, no matter where you're booking, the way is almost the same (In other post's I'll tell you the best hotels in the surroundings of the more interesting zones of the city).

1. You need to go to "Central de Autobuses del Norte" (Northern Bus Central), 'cause there the station where the buses to Teotihuacan depart.

2. The easier way to reach the station is taking a cab. Unfortunately taking a taxi in the streets of Mexico City, it's dangerous, even for mexicans, so, don't do it. You can ask in your hotel reception desk, for a "Radio Taxi" that's the safest and easiest way to reach the station. Talking about money, the Radio Taxi it's not expensive, the average are, more or less, about the 6 to 11 dollars from the city downtown, if they're asking for more, it's a rip off.  "Hey!!, I wanna get there in the mass transit system, why you don't recommend this?" Well, Mexico City it's not a little city, in fact it's a huge metropolis (8 million in the city itself and 12 million in the surroundings), it's easy to get lost, even for us its inhabitants; in this case, the cab is the best option.


Mexico City map, with the best hotel zones, and Northern Bus Central

3. If you want to take the bus, well, as you may know, you need tickets, and there are two ways to get them. You can buy them directly on the station, which is the best option, 'cause the rates vary depending on the Bus Line. The other way is buy them on-line, it's easier and faster, but you need to claim your tickets in the station,  so, it's almost the same.

Well this are the easiest options to get reach the archaeological site, but if you're the Indi Jones type, you can use the Subway the stations are nearby the hotel zones, just be aware. Annother option it's to take one of the thousands of tours that the hotels have, in that case the rates vary from 30 to 100 dollars, more or less, and it depends on the sites you're gonna visit.

Welcome

This is, at last, the thing you were looking for, a blog about safe travel around Mexico and some advices that (from me, of course) will gonna help you in your visit to our incredible country.

And why I'm doing this..? well it's easy, in the last months the media around the world has spread some information that isn't entirely accurate, in fact, even the Mexican media had this problem, they said that our country is dangerous, even more than some Middle East countries... worst, that we're dying in the streets 'cause of the swine flu.... that's a lie. And 'cause of the misinformation, some people doesn't want to visit us anymore, what a shame.

Here, I'm gonna tell you useful information about fascinating places, tips to get there safer and, in some cases, cheaper.... all the things I know of the places I've been in my beautiful country (I've visit most of my country, so, it's a lot of information, and those places I've never been, I have information too). You will find information about, transportation, hotels, food, entertainment and more..... oh, and if you want some additional information, you can send me a mail, don't be shy.

Welcome!!!