17 November 2019

Earlier this year while riding the bus from México City to Oaxaca we passed through a wonderful area of high mountains and expansive forests, and I thought it was a place I would like to return to. When the people who gave me a ride to Teotihuacán asked if I’d like a ride to Tepoztlán, in the area I’d seen from the bus, I accepted. The only catch was that since they are from the U.K. and not comfortable driving on the right, they wanted me to drive through México City, at what turned out to be morning rush hour. Quite an experience, one I hope not to repeat, we made it with no damage to their rental car, a minor miracle.

During the week Tepoztlán is a sleepy little mountain village just a few miles south of México City. On weekends it wakes up as Chilangos (residents of México City) arrive to enjoy nature. It borders Parque Nacional de Tepozteco and is surrounded by other national parks including Iztaccihuatl-Popocatepetl. The forests are magnificent with huge trees blooming with brightly colored flowers – orange, violet, red, white. There are steep hiking trails throughout the mountains, many built by ancient civilizations. There is a short trail at the end of the main street that goes up to Pirámide Tepozteco. It is a 25 minute walk to the top, only about half a mile long but climbing 1100 feet.

I am having a wonderful time hiking each day in the mountains and forests, relaxing in the quiet village. The bungalow I’ve rented has a beautiful garden where I can sit and enjoy a quiet cup of tea in the afternoon. México is an amazing country with such a fantastic variety of places to visit, and the people are always so friendly and welcoming, you can’t help enjoying yourself and being happy.