Travel: Americas: Mexico:Teotihuacan

Our journey back to Mexico started outside Mexico City, near the archeological site of Teotihuacan. Our leader, Melissa, found a wonderful locally operated hotel, the Villa Arqueologica, that is currently owned by Club Med. (Totally recommended!!! Comfort with lots of local flavor.) This is one of the most developed and studied archeological sites in Mexico, but still mysterious and fascinating. Plan on at least two trips to absorb it if you can.

*Click thumbnails to see full size photos.*

Work is continuing on the Pyramid of Quetzalcoatl, the first you come to as you enter the site at the main entrance. You can see the remains of the feathered serpents along the edge of the wide stairway.	The mass of the enormous Temple of the Sun is astonishing, rivaling the Great Pyramid of Egypt. Try to imagine it covered with white stucco and colorful designs.	The Temple of the Moon, at the culmination of the Avenue of the Dead was inaccessible when we visited. It is surrounded by a number of smaller temples.

One of the most beautiful temples is the Temple of the Butterflies, near the Temple of the Moon. Interesting "birdmen" carvings grace many of its columns and there is much original paint and even some murals visible. Be sure to go behind and below this temple to the Palace of the Jaguar.	And there is also a Jaguar Temple, which is on the other side of the Avenue of the Dead, between the temples of the Sun and Moon. Here a painted mural of a jaguar can be seen, under a protective canopy.	We had not only to climb the Temple of the Sun, but traverse it on each of its five levels. There are many, many stairs, but generally they are neither as steep nor narrow as many Mayan temples.

Along the way, we noticed yellow and lavender wildflowers growing together. Some believe this is a signal that it is a sacred site. This is on the next to top level.	Of course, we had to record that we made it. From left, Kitty, Mary, Jack and Melissa at the top of the Pyramid of the Sun, with the Pyramid of the Moon in the background.	And this is the view from the top, along the Avenue of the Dead toward the Temple of the Moon.