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.

As I watched the sun rise over the Pirámide del Sol from my bed this morning, I remembered how as a child I would look at the sun and think how every person and every thing that has ever lived on earth or will ever live on earth has seen or will see the same sun, has felt or will feel the warmth from the same sun. The time each of us has here seems so short from that perspective, and each of our lives so insignificant, but there is also a sense of connection, or oneness, with all of humanity and all living things past, present, and future.

Then I would think how every atom in my body had the same power as the sun, so within me was the power of trillions and trillions of suns. A feeling would come over me that I was the key to everything with this immense power within me to unlock a new Golden Age.

I hadn’t planned on coming to Teotihuacán or San Miguel de Allende. The wind wasn’t promising for sailing, I was growing tired of Mazatlán, so I flew to Mexico City and got on the first bus to someplace interesting. San Miguel de Allende is a colonial town with beautiful Baroque and Neoclassical architecture, narrow cobblestone streets, numerous art galleries and upscale restaurants. I enjoyed walking in the hills each day, music and dancing in the Jardin each evening, great food and friendly people.

As I was leaving my boat to fly to Mexico City, my neighbor told me I absolutely had to visit Teotihuacán. From then on it seemed like a constant barrage of people were telling me not to miss Teotihuacán. So when someone offered me a ride I took the hints and went. I spent today wandering the site and climbing the pyramids. It is an amazing place, built two centuries ago by unknown people who then vanished. The Pyramid of the Sun is the third largest pyramid in the world, an immense structure. It’s interesting watching all of the people, each here for their own reason, to hold a ceremony, to take photos, to study the architecture, to meditate, to sell souvenirs. Individually we each do our own thing, collectively it organically comes together as a wonderful dance.

The feeling I’d had as a child stayed with me throughout the day. As I walked and watched the world around me, smiling, occasionally sharing a few words or a laugh with others, I was joyful and happy.

Walking back from dinner this evening the full moon was rising above the Pyramid of the Moon, the perfect ending to a wonderful few days.

Playa Rinconcito

Sunset at Punta Cometa

Just leaving Pueblo Magico de Mazunte. Have had a wonderful time. Beginning the trek north to Puerto Vallarta this morning.

I took the bus from México City to Oaxaca on 11 February 2019, a beautiful trip through forests, mountains, and deserts. Not far from México City there are views of the volcanoes Iztacchuatl and Popocatepetl.

Oaxaca is wonderful. Locals and visitors stroll the pedestrian only streets near the Zócalo in the evenings, watching street performers, looking at artisanal goods in street stalls, and eating in the cafes and restaurants. There is live music every night in the Zócalo near the cathedral.

Music and Dancing in the Zócalo

I’ve added a map of my travels in México here.

I flew into México City on Friday evening, 8 February 2019, and have had a wonderful weekend in the city.

My hotel was in the ‘Electrical Equipment’ neighborhood – many small shops specializing in a particular electrical category such as switches, cables, conduits, or high voltage transformers. I love cities that have specialty neighborhoods like this. I spent the weekend walking and only covered a fraction of the city – it is huge in terms of both population and geography. There is so much here to see – Mayan ruins, colonial architecture, beautiful parks, and so much more.

My favorite place was Triana Cafe Gourmet in the Mercado San Juan. The owner, Pablo, makes one of the best espressos I’ve ever had, rememberers you and introduces you to everyone at the counter after your first visit, and does a little dance every time he grinds coffee.

I’m leaving in the morning for Oaxaca, but look forward to returning to México City in the future.