Mexico is a country that has been populated in one form or another for over 13,000 years. For travellers from a comparatively baby country like New Zealand it’s difficult to truly understand the impact of such a history. You can see it everywhere however and most clearly for us is in the ruins and archaeological sights that cover the country. We haven’t made it into the heart of these areas yet but we have visited two sights so far.
While staying in Mexico city our wonderful couchsurfing hosts offered to take us to Tula (and later to a birthday party complete with Mariachi band, but that’s another tale!). The history of Tula is a little unclear (actually the history of a lot of these sights is less than crystal) but it is thought to have been the capital of the Toltecs after Teotihuacan (below) from around 980 AD until it was destroyed between 1168 and 1179. For a brief period of time it was the largest city in Mexico and like many Mesoamerican cities its centre revolved around its pyramids (temples), ball court, and governing halls. We’re not sure how much of a history lesson our dear readers want, so if you’re interested in learning more good old Wiki can help you out http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tula,_Hidalgo . While as far as ruins go Tula is a small sight, it was still impressive, and somewhat oppressive, to walk amongst these ruins and imagine what life was like when this was a thriving city.
Compared with little Tula, Teotihuacan is a monstrous sight. Dominated by two massive pyramids (the temples of the sun and moon) one can wander down the Avenue of the Dead from the Temple of the Winged Serpent right to the Plaza of the Jaguars.
The name Teotihuacan (not the name given to it by its original inhabitants) means “where man met the gods” and the gods (and priests) were present in every aspect of the citizens’ lives. It is thought that the city began to be built around 100 BC, was in its prime around 500 AD and was destroyed, likely due to internal conflict around the 7th or 8th centuries AD. Again we could waffle about the history and culture for ages but why when wiki can do that for us http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Teotihuacan.
We spent a beautifully peaceful day wandering around Teotihuacan. We climbed to the top of the Temple of the Sun which is still in a clearly original untouched state right down to the chain and rubber hand rails the ancients conveniently installed.
The view from the top was breathtaking and a perfect place to sit for awhile and contemplate life and the world.
Travelling around Mexico is a lesson in contrasts where you can simultaneously witness timeless ways of living that have been passed unchanging through generations sharply juxtaposed with a developing, modern consciousness. You can sit amongst ancient ruins and discuss current politics and environmental issues. You can wake up in the desert and go to sleep that night in a rainforest. And somehow it all manages to blend together, if not entirely harmoniously then certainly dynamically. Mexico is a country of colour, music and passion and as you sit amongst the ancient ruins infused with faith (and no small amount of blood) you can begin to appreciate how this unique place has developed.
Two Legs Good 
This photos are so amazing. Such a beautiful location.
Thank you 🙂 As you can imagine the photos don’t really do it justice however.
Your photos still are breath taking.
🙂