Day 3 - Basilica de Guadelupe and Teotihuacan

October 25 – Basilica de Guadalupe and Teotihuacan

We start the day with a visit to the main cathedral.  A mass is going on so we aren’t able to go to the front section of the church but the bonus is that we hear the organ. 

 We're getting the Juan skinny on the cathedral.

 Thought the skull under the cross here was rather unusual.  All the times I've been here, I never noticed it before

 The organ that sounded beautiful.

 From the roof terrace of our hotel

On the way to the Basilica, we go down the beautiful Avenida de la Reforma.  Recently there was a parade and contest of abrijes, the fantastical, colorful animal figures that are best known in Oaxaca. They were displayed along the side of the avenue.  There were also large skulls that were artistically painted.   Sorry, from out of the van window the quality really stinks  

Next stop, the Basilica de Guadelupe.  The old basilica has been stabilized enough after earthquake damage and settling problems to enter.  The floor is extremely uneven so it feels a bit like you’re drunk while walking inside.  Until the newer building, the original tapestry of the Virgin de Guadelupe hung here.  Seems like a more peaceful, appropriate place than the current location where you ride ona slow conveyor belt to view her.  There are so many people who visit the basilica that there is a need to move people like through Disney World. 

It's easy to tell which are the old basilica and which is the new.  

Religious articles of the basilica.  Can you see that there are cases of Corona beer outside the shop?  Hmmmmmm?  A new kind of sacrament?

Mexico City has grown a lot in the direction of Teotihuacan.  It used to be about 40 kilometers from the outskirts and now is about 20 kilometers.  We decide to eat lunch before visiting the ruins.  Along with lunch is an explanation of all of the uses of the agave plant  - Needle and thread, paper type material, fiber for weaving, pulque and mezcal.  Some people did a bit of shopping for onyx and woven objects.  They also have 2 pet hairless dogs.  These were almost extinct but Frida and Diego helped bring the popularity of the breed back.  They are still quite expensive. 

No matter how many times I visit Teotihuacan, it always impresses.  Some of the group climbed the pyramid of the moon and others found a shady spot to wait.  Suga, Switch and Donna climbed to the top of the Pyramid of the Sun.  The rest of us took the van to the other end of the Avenue of the Dead to the pyramid of Quetzequatl.  We had seen a full sized, painted  reproduction of a portion of this pyramid in the museum the previous day.

Our hotel is right outside of the archaeological grounds.  It sure was  nice to not have to drive back into the city.  Helen and Suga took advantage of the pool but the rest of us went straight for the margaritas.