Mexico City

Day of The Dead Celebrations, Mexico City
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Mexico City is the start point of what I hope will be the journey of a lifetime over the next 9 months. A chance to experience different cultures, countires and lifestyles. To visit the sites of acient civilisations, to see contrasting landscapes, to meet people from across the globe, both fellow travelers and indigenous people alike.

My journey will take me through the continents of the Americas, Polynesia, Australasia, Indonesia and South East Aisia. visiting in the region of 20 countries.

Day of The Dead Celebrations, Zacalo, Mexico City
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MEXICO CITY

With a population of 25m Mexico City is the largest city on earth, coming in over the city at night gives a great impression of its vast size which stretches almost as far as you can see in every direction. Getting through immigration takes an age, they even check your bag on arrival as they do before before you board the aircraft. Arrival here is hectic like most Latin American countries, although not as bad as Peru I have to say.

Day of The Dead Celebrations, Mexico City
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The streets are chocked with traffic in Mexico city which seems MAD to the newcomer, much like other Latin American capitals, but it seems to work.

So after 22 hours traveling I am glad to say that Hostal Amigo have a room for me, or so I thought, Jose gave me the wrong room and when I opened the door I found a couple already in bed, not sure who was more surprised me or them, anyway I got another room which was fine.

`DAY OF THE DEAD CELEBRATIONS'

Mexico City
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My first day in Mexico City, bright and sunny and very warm, about 80 degrees F.

I have arrived here at the right time of year to see the famous 'Day of the Deadcelebrations. This celebration occurs across Mexico over the 1st and 2nd November each year to celebrate `All Souls day' where offerings are made to ancestors.

This celebration is both colorful and spectacular with images, puppets and stands, beautiful designs are laid out in the main square with sand and thousands of bright orange Marigold flowers. In Mexico City this seems most prevalent in the Zacalo, the main square in the city which is the second largest in the world after Red Square in Moscow.

Cathederal Metropolitan, Zacalo, Mexico City. The largest Cathederal in Latin America
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The Zacalo is dominated by a massive flag staff and Mexican flag which form the focal point. surrounded on four sides by 5 lanes of traffic, its both hectic and vibrant at the same time with constant interest.

Nowhere have I ever seen so many VW Beetles, as I had 3 of these cars they hold special affection in my heart. Here they are used mostly as taxies, hundreds and hundreds of them, or at least it seems that way.

Colonial architecture surrounds this grand square including the Royal Palace and Cathedral Metropolitana, which is the largest cathedral in Mexico. Wandering around Centro Historico I found the beautiful Palicio de Bellas (see more photos) on the edge of a Plaza with more colorful celebrations and live music.

Traditional dance to celebrate the Day of The Dead, Mexico City.
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This is a city full of culture, colour and so alive with a vibrant atmosphere despite its massive polution problem.

My second day here and I decided to take the opportunity to vist the Maya site of Teotihuacan which is about 1 hour by colectivo from the city. Alex Keyworth is also due to join me later today from the UK. we shall be traveling together for the next 2 weeks through southern Mexico before he heads back north to L.A.

The Maya site of Teotihuacan.

Palacio de Bellas artes Alamanda Central, Mexico City.
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The ancient city and giant Pyramids of Teothuacan date from around 600 BC. Restoration began in 1929.

The site occupies an area of 23 squ klms and its 3klms from the Pyramid of the moon to the far end if the site which makes a fantastic vista.

The city is dominated by 2 pyramids. Pyramide del sol (Pyramid of the sun) which is some 70m high and the same in width and breath as the great pyramids in Egypt, and Pyramid del Luna (Pyramid of the moon).

Teotihuacans population began to soar during the Pathiachique phased about 1AD.The city assumed its most important characteristics at this time and the great Pyramids of the sun and the moon where built.

Piramida de Luna, (Piramid of the Moon), Teotihuacan.
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This citys architectural influences preads to Guatemala and Honduras. It reached it peak at around 450 to 650AD with a population of around 80,000. The city fell into decline in the Metepec phase.

So after a fascinating day and visting my first Maya site and several other stops to see Tequila making and Obsidion stone carving I arrived back at Hostel Amigo to find Alex already settled in at the bar, so far so good. After a good few beers the next morning sees an early start and the taxi takes us to the central bus station to head south  where the journey realy begins.