TEOTIHUACAN

A hasty decision to go to Teotihuacan this day cost us some money.  We were late leaving and had to change trains 3 times to get to the most northern Metro station.  Changing trains at some points involves a 5 minute walk and many stairs.  We went across the road to Autobus Norte where the crowds were orderly but daunting.  By the time we found the correct ticket booth and then discovered we were in the wrong line, it was 12:30 so David searched for a taxi while I joined the very long correct line.  That taxi cost us $50 for a ride of 1 hour in very heavy traffic.  The scenery en route for our first and only trip outside the city was not inspiring.

The city is thought to have been established around 100 BC and continued to be built until about 250 AD. The city may have lasted until sometime between the 7th and 8th centuries AD. At its zenith, perhaps in the first half of the 1st millennium AD, Teotihuacan was the largest city in the pre-Columbian Americas, with a population of perhaps 125,000 or more, placing it among the largest cities of the world in this period. (From Wikipedia)  Click here for detailed information

Ruins on left are of residential Aztec buildings

People cannot climb higher than the first level of the Pyramid of the Moon

An hour later, the queues to climb the Pyramid of the Sun went around the corner and down the other side.  We didn't climb either pyramid - it was too hot!

Temple of the Feathered Conches next to Quetzalpapalotl Palace. The next two photos show details of friezes around its base.

 

Palace of the Jaguars.  The jaguar has a conch in its mouth.

 We only had energy left to visit one of two museums on site.  The final photos show some of the exhibits.

Unusual because it is alabaster

Note butterfly motif, blinders on eyes and nose-ring

Incense burner

Metal container with door