Start: Zihuatanejo, Guerreo, 6:00 am
End: Teotihuacan, Mexico State, 6:00 pm
Mileage: 315
In the small town of Teotihuacan, just north of Mexico city. I was here to see some pyramids the next morning. This guy was providing some dinner music at the food market.
Locals enjoying some freshly made tasty dinner.
The food stall that I ate at. Various kinds of meat served with cilantro and onions. Simple and always good. Note the pineapple on top of the meat stand.
Dinner of some pork tacos with a slice of pineapple - Hawaiian Tacos?
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Day 13 / Thursday, October 4, 2007
Start: Teotihuacan, Mexico State, 11:00 am
End: Guanajuato City, Guanajuato, 6:00 pm
Mileage: 281
The Pyramid of the Sun at Teotihuacan. It was built around 2000 years ago and was possibly used for astronomy. I came at 7 am when the park opened and had the whole place to myself.
Climbing the steep steps to the top. It took only about 10 mins.
The view from the top, which is 246 ft from the bottom, making it the 3rd largest pyramid in the world.
Sun flare from the top.
The Pyramid of the Moon as seen from the Pyramid of the Sun.
Enjoying a peaceful moment at the top of the pyramid.
Climbing back down the steep steps.
No wonder it's called the Pyramid of the Sun…
Taking a local bus back to my hotel as there were no cabs around. Cost $0.40.
Having breakfast at the food market again.
These are what they call Quesadillas in this part of Mexico. A thick flour tortilla with various meats and cheese.
She was making them super fast. The tortillas were being made fresh.
I had a Picadillo (meat with potatoes) and a Barbacoa (pork). The fried tortilla was really tasty.
All the various ingredients being used.
The picturesque mountain town of San Miguel de Allende.
It retains its colonial architecture along with the cobble-stoned streets.
Since the town is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, no traffic lights or modern buildings are allowed. Instead, lots of traffic police were at every major intersection.
The town had many old chapels, which must be at least 200 years old.
Chapel in San Miguel.
Chapel in San Miguel.
Lots of people were just milling about and relaxing around the water fountains and the many parks in the town.
Chapel in San Miguel.
All the stores use old houses as their store fronts, since they're not allowed to tear down any of the buildings. This old world charm is what attracts a lot of ex-pats to come and settle in San Miguel.
San Miguel.
Chapel in San Miguel in the main square.
The popular mode of transportation was two or small four-wheelers since the town is very hilly and the streets are narrow.
On the road to Guanajuato from San Miguel. A nice relaxing end-of-the-day ride.
The unique thing about the city of Guanajuato is their use of old mining shafts as street tunnels under the city, which is perched in the mountains. It is truly quite a maze and takes a while to get oriented.
Ahh, finally making it to my hostel, La Casa del Tio after going around in circles for over an hour trying to find it. I loved riding in Guanajuato, very unique experience.
The view from my room at one of the back streets, which leads into a tunnel.
It happened by chance that I was in town while a month long musical festival, Cervantino was taking place. The whole city was packed with people and lots of open-air musical acts were going on. A very festive atmosphere.
College kids bumming on the side walk. Guanajuato is also known for its university and corresponding percentage of young adults giving the city a more lively beat.
Guitar players waiting for a crowd to gather before performing their act.
Guanajuato is another UNESCO World Heritage Site, meaning all the old colonial buildings are protected.
A public camera display showing traffic all over the city, including the tunnels.
I went through this tunnel 3 times while trying to find my hostel. I think a few more days and I could have the city figured out.
A bunch of clowns dancing on stage. Not a very good act.
More like it, a reggae/ska band performing in a square. People were just gathering on the steps and enjoying the music. They even played a Spanish version of Bob Marley's Is This Love.
Crazy hair-do. The young kids around seemed typical of youth in the US or elsewhere; extremely baggy jeans, slouching, smoking, backpacks and large graphic t-shirts. Maybe this image comes from the movies…?
Funny thing was that the power kept going out every 15 mins or so, which produced howls from the crowd. Maybe it was an overload on the city's power.
The band continued playing as soon as power returned to the guitars and mics.
This scene is great. Here's a guy totally into the moment who bust out crazy dancing every once in a while and on the other hand, there's a store owner who decides the steps need washing just as we're all sitting on the steps enjoying the concert.
The band played songs that the crowd seemed to know and this one energetic song got these bunch of guys to jump up and start frantically hitting each other. They calmed down when the song finished.
Lots of street performers were about for the crowds. Here's a girl who's a robot. Couldn't get a better picture as she kept approaching me and I ran out of change.
The guitar players from before performing for a crowd with two couples dancing. Everyone seemed to know the routine, must be a well known dance.
Next: Day 14 - 18, Monterrey, San Antonio and Home
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