Known as "The City of Gods," Teotihucan is home to the 3rd largest temple/pyramid in the world. Historians have debated its height between 100 and 300 A.D. I climbed the 365 steps to the top of the Temple of the Sun - which is quite literally the ultimate stair master - in about 30 minutes. I rested amongst the levels of the temple and overlooked the remains of the stone city, whose archeological wonders mystify visitors from all over the world. Hundreds of people climb its steps each day, young, old, men and women, gravitating to an ancient city whose population seemed to have disappeared.
As I climbed the temple, I wondered what life was like for the Teotihucanos, whose life, unlike the Mayans and Aztecs, is not documented and very little remains to give life to its history.
Picture of the Day
A three year old boy, decked out in Mexico soccer swag, climbs the Temple of the Sun, 365 steps, all by himself.
If there was any place to be during Mexico's Bicentennial celebrations, it was at the Zocalo. After a grand expedition from the Angel of Independence on Paseo de la Reforma on Mexico City's underground Metro, my group and I found ourselves blocks away from Constitution Plaza, most commonly known as the Zocalo square. We waited in line for about two hours, passed by hundreds of police officers, extensive double security checks, and made it inside the coveted square by 5:00 p.m. Already filled with thousands of people waiting for the infamous "Grito" by Mexico's President, Felipe Calderon, the Zocalo, located in Mexico's historic core, is the base for the National Palace, two government buildings and the first Cathedral erected in1534.
One of the most interesting aspects of my journey through Mexico City during this bicentennial, is learning the history of one of the most amazing, alluring and historic cities in the world. The Zocalo, is literally built on top of the ancient Aztec city of Tenochtitlan, and with this key detail, the Independence day parade took a whole new meaning. A key element of celebrating the bicentennial - 200 years of Independence and 100 years of the Revolution, was playing tribute to the rich history of Mexican identity. Parade day organizers invoked the spirit of Quetzalcoatl, the ancient Mesoamerican deity known as the "feather-serpent," as a golden balloon float, hovering over spectators and leading the way from the Angel of Independence to the Zocalo where she passed the Cathedral and ascended to the President's balcony at the National Palace. It was one of the most spectacular visions I have ever seen. The goddess of the ancient people, whose history was buried underneath the buildings of today, had return.
Splendidly magical and surreal, the parade led to surprising revelations of Mexico's multi-cultural origins in indigenous, baroque, colonial, mestizo, Afro-creole and Spanish identity. Thousands of volunteers who walked the parade from all over the country came together to celebrate, honor and recognize what it is to be Mexican. A multi-media presentation over the Cathedral displayed the history of the nation alongside a majestic fireworks show accompanied by very patriotic music. The Cathedral seemed to come to life as it shook, changed and tranformed itself from a gray stone building to one of life and color. As an observer, surrounded by thousands, if not millions of people, one thing was evident, organizing such an event is no small task, and this parade showed that Mexico can organize to show the world what it is to have pride in ones country.
From Mexico City to you, enjoy the slideshow!
Picture of the day:
Beyond all the beauty of the parade, there is something entrancing about seeing the Aztec calender over the Cathedral. History seemed to come alive.
Posted by Wendy Carrillo on 09/17/10
Just learned that my traveling group will be meeting with the 1st LGBT couple that was married under Mexico's same sex marriege law!
From the Huff Po:
Mexico City's same-sex marriage law, enacted in March, extends to wedded gay couples the right to adopt children, to jointly apply for bank loans, to inherit wealth and to be covered by their spouses' insurance policies.
This is especially exciting because we are redefining our societal roles in which religion, sex, and sexual orientation need to be equality respected. I am exctied to talk to first couple and see what they have to say about the matter, its affects on Mexican society, and their overall view of U.S. laws, like Dont Ask Dont Tell or California's Prop. 8.
