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Central Mexico and the Yucatan
This Mexican journey combined several classic, Mexican colonial cities with the unrivaled splendors of the ancient cities of the Maya.

Beginning in Mexico City (and the nearby ancient city of Teohtihuacan), we wandered through the "Silver Cities" of central Mexico - San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato and Morelia - before flying off to the Yucatan.

After a relaxing for a few days on the island of Isla Mujeres (the laid-back neighbor of Cancun), we drove down the coast to Playa del Carmen and then onto  the ruins of Coba and Chichen Itza.
June/July 199237 Images4502 visitsAlbum by David KohlPhotos by David Kohl & Ross Rosenberg
Enlarge photo 1 Young dancers
Young dancers crossing a street in downtown Mexico City.
Enlarge photo 2 Stairwell
Stairwell in the Maria Christina Hotel in Mexico City.
Enlarge photo 3 Teotihuacan
Looking down the Avenue of the Dead from the Pyramid of the Moon. The ancient city of Teotihuacan is an hour bus ride from Mexico City.
Enlarge photo 4 Teotihuacan
Construction of the Pyramid of the Sun began in 100 AD.  The city of Teotihuacan reached its zenith in 500 AD with a population of 200,000.  By 700 AD it was abandoned.
Enlarge photo 5 Summer Solistice
We arrived on the summer solistice - a day of celebration at Teotihaucan.  The Pyramid of the Sun is the third largest pyramid in the world.
Enlarge photo 6 Atop the Pyramid of the Moon
The Pyramid of the Sun can be seen in the background.  Teotihaucan means "place where gods were born" reflecting the Aztec belief that the universe was created here.
Enlarge photo 7 Pyramid of the Sun
At 210 feet high, the Pyramid of the Sun is only half as high as the great pyramid at Cheops.
Enlarge photo 8 The best way down
The best way down these pyramids is often accomplished on your butt - as Ross demonstrates here.
Enlarge photo 9 Imitation
Enlarge photo 10 Volkswagen Bug
"The" rental car throughout Mexico at the time.  On its hood is spread our essential travel meal - peanut butter, jam and bread.
Enlarge photo 11 San Miguel de Allende
La Parroquia church was reconstructed in the 19th century in the gothic style.
Enlarge photo 12 San Miguel de Allende building profile
Enlarge photo 13 Market in Guanajuato
Guanajuato was one of the richest cities in the world in the 19th century.  It had the third largest silver mine in the world.
Enlarge photo 14 Teatro Juarez
Built in 1903, it is often the site of performances during the annual Cervantes Festival.
Enlarge photo 15 Underground roadways
These roadways once served as viaducts for the nearby Rio Gaunajuato.  Today they serve as a subterranean nightmare for inattentive drivers.
Enlarge photo 16 Gaunajuato raodway
At any moment, a street will plunge underground only to emerge several blocks later - completely baffling any unsuspecting drivers.
Enlarge photo 17 Museo de Los Momias
The Mummy Museum exhibits some of the remains of the city's former citizens.  It is not for the faint-hearted.
Enlarge photo 18 Mummy exhibit
The dryness of the soil plus the natural gases and minerals present in the soil halted the decomposition of the corpses.
Enlarge photo 19 Agony
Bodies were buried for only 5 years.  If relatives could not pay the cemetery fee, the bodies were exhumed to make room for others.  These bodies are from 1865 to 1985.
Enlarge photo 20 Island of Janitzio
The island of Janitzio - outside the city of Morelia - is famous for its Day of the Dead celebration.
Enlarge photo 21 Statue of Jose Maria Morelos
Statue atop Janitzio's hill.
Enlarge photo 22 Boys of Janitzio
Enlarge photo 23 View of  Morelia's Cathedral
Begun in 1640, the cathedral took 104 years to build.  This view is from our room in the Hotel Cathedral.
Enlarge photo 24 Morelia aqueduct
Enlarge photo 25 Isla Mujere's view
View from Isla Mujere's of Cancun.
Enlarge photo 26 Isla Mujere's View
View of the north beach from our hotel on Isla Mujeres.
Enlarge photo 27 Isla Mujeres
The island is just 5 miles long and 2 1/2 miles wide.
Enlarge photo 28 El Garrafon
El Garrafon is an underwater national park at the south end of Isla Mujeres.
Enlarge photo 29 El Castillo, Coba
The ancient city of Coba flourished between 632 AD and 800 AD. El Castillo is the tallest pyramid in the Yucatan.  Much of the 42-mile site remains unexcavated.
Enlarge photo 30 Chichen Itza
Chichen Itza dates from between 600 AD to 900 AD.  The site occupies 4 square miles.
Enlarge photo 31 El Castillo, Chichen Itza
El Castillo (or the Pyramid of Kukulkan) is an architectural embodiment of the Mayan calender.  For example, there are 364 stairs and one platform to equal the 365 days of the year.
Enlarge photo 32 El Castillo
On the fall and spring equinoxes, the stairways of this 75-foot tall building come alive with a serpent shadow.
Enlarge photo 33 Temple of the Warriors
Statue of Chac-Mool - the rain god - and imitator.
Enlarge photo 34 Temple of the Warriors
Named for the carvings of warriors along its walls...and for the two travel warriors photographed here. (It's also called the Temple of the Thousand Columns after its numerous broken columns.)
Enlarge photo 35 Chichen Itza detail
Enlarge photo 36 Observatory (El Caracol)
Enlarge photo 37 Leaf-cutter ants