Claudio, our driver for the day, was waiting for us promptly at 7:00 am. Foggy morning but mostly light traffic to Teotihuacan. This is one of the top archeological attractions in Mexico. Yet the place was not at all commercialized. After paying the entry fee of 75 pesos (US$3.89) each, we entered the enormous complex, the center of a former large city with a population estimated at 250,000.
My goal was to climb the Pyramid of the Sun. It measures 148 feet in height. Since you are ascending diagonally up, I assume it added additional feet. I left my heavy jacket, scarf and shoulder bag with J.J. With my trusted iPhone swinging around my neck, I began my climb. There were no more than 20 people, many young children, fearlessly going up.
I only looked up to see how far to go and gazed below to see J.J. as a tiny dot.
A man in his mid-40 was leaning against the wall of the pyramid. He looked pale. I called out and asked, “Are you okay?” His response was, “No I feel sick.” I temporarily stopped my ascend to help. Then his female companion said, “You are already halfway there. How many pyramids are there in the world which you can still climb? He will be fine.” I resumed my ascent.
It’s not the view that was spectacular or thrilling. Making it to the top, I was overwhelmed with gratitude. I felt a spiritual connection of the people who once inhabited this valley.
J.J. decided to ride with Claudio and meet me at the Pyramid of the Moon. My solo walk along the Avenue of the Dead to the Pyramid of the Moon was contemplative.
The Pyramid of the Moon is about 1/2 of the height of the Sun. Ongoing archeological excavations also restricts visitors’ access after the mid-point. The challenge for climbing these pyramids is that there is no sturdy guard rails. There are also no guards posted. You are on your own. Having heard that visitors have missed their footings and plummeted to death is unnerving. I am thankful that our adventure concluded without incident.
Total cost for today’s 7 hours out-of-town trip came out to US105.56 inclusive of car & driver, toll road, entrance fee and parking. The cost was worthwhile as we were able to visit two major attractions including the Cathedral of Guadalupe which will be a separate blog entry.
To read more about Teotihuacan, go to: https://www.ancient-code.com/here-are-17-things-you-should-know-about-teotihuacan-place-where-gods-were-born/
Aloha -- Cathi