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Published: July 12th 2007
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Mon 2nd July - Fri 6th July: Arrived in Albany to visit with my cousin Melinda and her family. Was excited to have a July 4th in USA but it rained so was a bit of an anticlimax. While in Albany visited Woodstock (of the famous 1969 music festival), Lake George, Saratoga and spent a lovely time catching up with my American cousin who I don´t see much of. Left Sat for Mexico City.
Sat 7th July: Arrived safely in Mexico City after an early start from Albany in NY State. Had to send my backpack through to Mexico City unlocked as I didn´t have TSA approved locks and wasn´t going to buy any just because the Yanks are paranoid about national security. Anyway it arrived with nothing missing ...and more importantly, nothing added to the contents. Liked Mexico City. There was a familiarity about it. Not sure if the familiarity was that of a 3rd world country where poverty is poverty. Find the Mexicans are very demonstrative about displays of affection in public...even between gays as well as hetrosexuals.
Sun 8th July: Took a tour out to the pyramids of Teotihaucan about 45 km north of the
city. This was Mexico´s largest ancient city, home to 85,000 people in it´s hayday. The Pyramid of the Sun is the 3rd largest in the world. I climbed the Pyramid of the Moon with no problems. However, it took me 4 attempts to get down cos of the height and steepness of the steps. We could´ve spent hours wandering over the pyramids and the extensive ruins but the tour we took went to a couple of other tourist sights as well (including a 1600s Basillica which is sinking due to earthquake land movement). It was disappointing to go to these places as it took away time from Teotihaucan site which I was more interested in.
Mon 9th July: We left for Peubla this morning, a city a couple of hours from Mexico City. Didn´t really like the city. Felt quite unsafe walking around especially when a couple of us were followed as we wandered around. However, having said that the city is quite amazing as it full of churches ranging from very plain to extremely ornate....and full of religious icons and statues something I´m not used to seeing not being Catholic. As well it still maintains its Spanish architecture and many buildings are adorned with lots of colourful tiles.
Tue 10th July: Spent the morning on a double decker, open topped bus touring around the city, seeing sights we wouldn´t have seen had we attempted to walk around. Spent a little more time wandering near the Zocalo (a square in the middle of a city/town) taking in the sights and visiting more churches, if only briefly. Saw a native Indian in dress doing a dance outside one of the churches.
Wed. 11th July: I was not upset to leave Puebla this morning bound for Oaxaca. Love Oaxaca with its freindly and laid back atmosphere. They have been having some civil unrest here over the last year but all demonstrations we saw were peaceful. The teachers aren´t impressed with the govt´s retirment plan for them....no pay when they retire!!!!!! Here there were lots of street markets and stalls as well as a large undercover maket. Oaxaca has a histry rich in Aztec culture dating back as long ago as 500 B.C.
Thur 12th July: Spent the morning climbing all over the ancient Aztec city ruins of Monte Albans about 10 km into the mountains from Oaxaca. Found the place fascinating and even though I was supposed to be on a guided tour I ditched the guide and went it alone. There were info plaques all over so I didn´t really miss out on anything. At least I got to see all the ruins which the tour didn´t go to. Back into the town and wandered around some more drinking in the ambience of the place and eating the local ice cream...can´t remember the name of the stuff but it was delicious. Tonight we head out of Oaxaca on a night bus bound for San Christabel de las Casa in the Mexican Highlands.
Till next time beautiful peoples.............
P.S. Can´t seem to load any more photos as I don´t read Spanish, and English speakers are few and far between in Mexico. Can´t seem to get through to anyone what I am trying to do so..... not sure if I´ll continue on with the blog.
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