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!