Dinner in Mexico City,
serenaded by guitarists
The Metropolitan Cathedral, Mexico City
Plan of the Tlatelolco
Street market
outside the Basilica de Guadaloupe
Favellas on the hillsides
around Mexico City
Plan of Teotihuacan
Demonstration at Teotihuacan
The pyramids at Teotihuacan were decorated with painted stucco. The red dye was extracted from the cocchineal scale insects that infest the Nopal cactus. The red dye was painted onto the surface of the stucco and "fixed" with the juice of the cactus.
Red dye
is produced from the cocchineal insect
Extracting cactus juice to fix the dye
Close up of insect infested cactus
Detail of sculpted stone facade
at the Pyramid of Quetzalcoatl, Teotihuacan (c 700AD). The facade features the heads of Tlaloc , the rain god and Quetzalcoatl, the feathered serpent (or plumed serpent).
Detail to left of pyramid
Pyramids of the Moon and Sun
Graham on top of the Pyramid of the Sun
Pyramids of the Moon and Sun
Nopal cactus and the Maguey Agave
The latter had many uses for the Mayans. The thorns of the leaves were used as sewing needles and as pens for writing; the fibres from the leaves were used as thread for sewing and weaving cloth; the papery skin of the leaves was dried flat and used as paper, or bandages; the juice under the skin of the leaves was used as a soap; and juice at the root of the Maguey was extracted and fermented for 24 hours to produce a digestive drink called pulque, and to make the intoxicating liquor, Mescal.
Demonstration of various uses of Maguey
Thorn and fibre of Maguey for sewing
Abby on Pyramid of the Sun, Teotihuacan
The pyramid of the moon can be seen in the background
Abby on Pyramid of the Sun, Teotihuacan
Izy on Pyramid of the Sun
Graham on Pyramid of the Sun
Indian dancing at restaurant, Teotihuacan
Indian dancing, Teotihuacan
More indian dancing
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