Travel to Tula

I'm behind, I know (thank you Kevin). Way behind. Please bear with me as I catch you up on a few Mexico experiences from the past month.

A few Saturdays ago I ventured out of Mexico City to the ancient ruins of Tula on a 2 hour bus ride. Tula was the Capital City of the Toltec Indian Empire, said to have been home to 40,000 - 60,000 people at one point in time. It came to power around 968 AD, after the fall of Teotihuacan and to be honest, I appreciated the visit in Tula more than I have Teotihucan. No, it doesn't have the same large scale pyramids that exist in Teotihucan but the statues, smaller pyramids and remaining inscriptions and art are more intact than what exists at the main pyramid site. There are also fewer people trying to sell you trinkets and those annoying whistle things that sound like lions roaring. It's remote. And spiritual. And serene. There's really nothing like standing in the middle of these remote archeological sites and imagining what took place hundreds and hundreds of years ago. Tula is a beautiful place and I definitely recommend a visit.

What I would not recommend if a visit to the neighboring modern day town of Tula unless you want to buy some 8-yr old tasting ice cream or second hand American Eagle clothing.

Por cierto...it's time to blog again

So after the hundreds of requests I've received to revive this blog (ok, it's really just been one but so be it), I've decided to do just that. Tonight's 4 hour event is certainly worthy of the occasion.

Tonight I was the guest of honor at a monthly Mexican association meeting in a dirty hotel ballroom with dozens of aging men and few helpless women working in the automotive industry (let's hope none of them are reading this post). Although I don't have any photographic proof at this very moment, I'm sure I will be adding some soon. I must have taken nearly 100 pictures tonight, mostly with complete strangers. All of my photo companions were men. The best part is that no matter the number, group or arrangement of photo participants, I must always be placed in the middle. So we took pictures...shaking hands, holding certificates, signing agreements.

The meeting began with cheesy strawberry cocktails and conversation over peanuts, potato chips and fried pork skins (classy, I know) and dragged on for yes, 4 hours. For 4 torturous hours I sat seated at the "table of honor" enduring presentation after presentation interrupted by sporadic photo shoots. Although the association President was extremely generous and welcoming, I also had to endure the sight of his inch long gray nose hair to my right for 4 long hours. At 10:15pm, I could not exit the building fast enough to hop into a cab and return to my favorite neighborhood in Mexico.

After a quick dinner of tacos and cerveza at my favorite Tizoncito, I'm finally happy en mi cama and ready for some sleep!

President Calderon at PAACE Automechanika Mexico

So it's been a while since I've written because I've been finalizing everything for my event that is finally closing today! I will breathe a huge sigh of relief after this year's show is finished...it has however been a success! We had a special participant in the inauguration of the show on Wednesday...President Felipe Calderon. After hours and hours of meetings with his disorganized security staff over the past week, we finally worked came to an agreement with them. These men did NOT like the fact that I was a young gringa, a woman or that I had any type of ability to make a decision. They basically forced us into changing the hours of our event to accommodate the President's arrival and according to my staff here, we could have had some serious actions taken against us if we did not submit to their requirements...event shut down, inability to ever enter Mexico again (which would make me cry!), etc. Apparently they are not the people you want to mess with here in Mexico. On Wednesday, I entered the convention center to find out the Calderon's security staff had completely taken over with an army marching outside, metal detectors, barricades in the show and security bodyguards EVERYWHERE. It was quite the ordeal. All of the planning, headaches and trouble however paid off because when Calderon entered the building, he greeted me in the typical Mexican way with a handshake and kiss on the cheek.

College Football and Aztecs Rule Malinalco

A little out of order, but better late than never.  I spent Friday, July 3rd exploring the beautiful town of Malinalco, rich in Aztec history.  As you can see from the pictures, the scenery is gorgeous.  I climbed to the top of the lookout that is home to several ancient Aztec temples (of which one is pictured above).  I think they may have re-created the thatched roof since the 1400's but the rest of the archaeological site really does appear intact.  

Another interesting aspect of Malinalco?  The college football fans.  Pictured above you will see evidence of a true Georgia fan.  Later in the day, I saw a man heading toward the location of this parked vehicle wearing a Georgia hat.  I'm convinced he is the vehicle owner although I couldn't pull out my camera quickly enough to share a picture of the car's owner with you as well.  I also spotted a Mexican wearing an Auburn football hat.  I'm telling you, US college football seems to have traveled long and far.

100% Guapo, Somos Novios

I spent my Sunday exploring the colonial cobblestone streets of Coyoacan.  The streets are lined with beautiful trees, colorful buildings and homes and the suburb is bustling with people on the weekends.  I started off the day chilling in the park and eventually made my way to the central plaza to enjoy a cold michelada, quesadillas and my book of Spanish stories.  The central plaza is filled with people on the weekends due to the craft market, restaurants and excellent people watching.  I found one corner where they were playing music and about 10 older couples were dancing to the rhythmic beats.  My favorite performer?  This adorable little muffin (that's for you Mere) man with his shirt and tie.  Since the shirt is a little hard to read in the pictures, let me spell it out for you.  The front of the shirt is clearly pre-printed and it says "100% Guapo" or "100% Good Looking".  Now on the back of his shirt, he has clearly added his own text that says "Somos Novios" or "We are Boyfriend and Girlfriend".  The nice lady dancing with him?  Clearly not his girlfriend as he was moving on from dance partner to dance partner with each and every song.  Precious guapo man was quite entertaining, and I must say, I think he made my day.

What's for Sale?

It's amazing the stuff you find for sale here on the streets of Mexico City.  No matter where you go, whether it be dining out, strolling down the street or driving through the city, you can be sure that you will be bombarded with some amazing offers.  Not only will you find a wide array of goods for sale, these goods will be sold by a wide array of people.  From small children to middle-aged men to crippled little ladies.  I know, it sounds sad.  Let me get back to these amazing items.  Haven't you always wanted to buy a small house plant off the street while you were eating an empandada?  Talk about efficient here...how about a fresh artichoke?  Or maybe some candies and a pen that lights up?  Boxing gloves?  My favorite so far...an entire board of shoelaces for sale.  Sorry, no picture of the shoelaces or the shoelace guy.  When you are on the Metro, they want to sell you cd's of Mexican music.  How do they promote this amazing offer?  By standing next to you blaring their music through their speakers which are located in their backpack.  I rarely see people buying which makes me wonder why people continue to spend hours and hours of their day selling shoelaces when they could be doing something else, but, asi es la vida.  Next time Silvia is here for a visit, we're going to sell an assortment of colorful straws (popotes) and see how we make out.  

Raw Meat, No Volcanos

This weekend Silvia came in town for a visit and it was GREAT to have here here.  Due to the fact that we are both foreigners and both blonde, we are quite the scene here in Mexico.  Most of the time people are fairly polite, but we do end up drawing the attention of the trash collectors (they told us they loved us), taco joint waiters and your random guy in the bar.  Their favorite English line (which I know they have practiced multiple times over) is always "Where are you from?" to which I usually respond Germany, Canada or maybe even China, just to throw them off.  Then of course they have either traveled to, seen on television or have a relative in Germany, Canada or China.  

All weekend we were planning our Sunday day trip to two volcanos outside of Mexico City.  From our travel books and online research, the views look amazing.  On Sunday we ventured out to see these "volcanes" via metro, then bus, then foot.  We accidentally got off the bus too late at the wrong town but according to the local convenient store worker, there is a great view from the top of the hill that can't be missed.  Our loud talker taxi cab driver drove us to the top of the lookout and we saw quite possible one of the most disappointing views ever...gloomy gray clouds, no volcanos in sight.  We then headed back to the town where we were originally supposed to get off the bus and at this point caught in a bad rain storm, headed into the market.  There was raw meat everywhere (check picture for proof, do you like how they dress it up with a basket of flowers?) and people attempting to sell it to us.  I'm not sure exactly what the sanitary regulations are for how long raw meat should be sitting out, but I can guarantee you that this market's meat was sitting out for far too long.  Laughing at our lack of success, we ran in the rain to the next bus we saw passing by the main road toward the DF.  I think I will steal some volcano pictures off the internet and pretend that we really did see them - we deserve it after our 6 hour trip! :)