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Alas its finally here! 28th October 2007. Bags packed, counted and verified. Persons present and crosschecked. Early rise and a good start for a good 2 week journey!
So here's the final itinerary...
28 October morning we head down south from Bangsar, KL by coach to Singapore. Take the 2320 hours BA016 flight to London, Heathrow. Go on to the next flight to Los Angeles and finally a Mexicana flight to Mexico City. 3 days here before heading to Havana Cuba for another 3 nights. Come back for another 3 nights. And then its a Mexico-LHR-Singapore solo stretch before finishing back in Malaysia.
So its going to be 1/2 traveling, 1/4 sleeping, and 1/4 actual sightseeing and holidaying. But it matters not, as long as I've got my trusty Camera to document each and every....
every
*GASP!!* Did i not put my glasses on? Nuuuuuuuu! My trusty Sony camera of 4 years destroyed!!...Oh the humanity! Luckily, Dad brought his 2.1 Megapixel canon and mom brought her film Based Canon (aka Old Faithful).
The Journey was smooth until Los Angeles. Touching down. I was subjected to NSEERS (National Security Entrance Exit Registration). Of which I missed my flight.
TRIVIA #1:
Q: What is the average waiting time to clear Secondary Registration (NSEERS) for Entering America?
A: 2 Hours
In my case 3 hours. What was worse was that we were aiming for a standby flight on a Mexicana Flight to Mexico City. We missed it by half an hour. Most of which involved running around the terminal looking for the ticketing counter.
Anyways we took the next flight in (2.05 am) to Mexico City. Arriving afternoon, we took a Sitio Taxi to our hotel in Downtown Mexico, The San Fransisco Hotel. After a long and tiring journey, I dozed off till about 8pm local time. Where we decided to go for a walk.
We heard that there was a place where we could go dance salsa in Sona Rosa (Pink Zone). We had to take the Metro (the train) to Insurgentes which was where the Zone was.
INFO #1: Mexico has the largest Metro system in the Latin Americas( about 120kms). 11 lines and 175 stations. For only 2 pesos, you can travel anywhere around the city no matter the line.
The place was a lot like Puduraya in KL. Too bad no Salsa Havana to be found around the vicinity. Though there was a pub that was playing the Spanish version of 'Monologues of the Vagina'. We returned an hour before the Metro was scheduled to be closed. But not before salvaging like LOADS OF SALSA/MEXICAN MUSIC CDS!!
INFO #2: Taxis that are safe to use are the ones with license plates beginning with 'S' for Sitio or place. Anything else would be dangerous even those with the Letters 'L' for Libre or freedom; these usually come in green and white old Volkswagen Beetles.
31st October 2007
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3rd most visited religious center the World the Shrine of Lady Guadalupe. Or so the AMEX brochure says about the Basilica. Archaeological site of Teotihuacan (City of Gods) with the pyramids of the Sun and Moon.
Tourbus picked us up at 930 to the headquarters. There we were assigned to our buses.
TIP #1: If you try booking a tour minutes before it starts. Theres a High probability that you may get a private tour for the price of a group tour. Also a High probability there may not be anymore space and they will reject your booking.
Known as the 'Plaza de Las Tres Culturas' Tlatelolco is surrounded on three sides, Aztec pyramid, 17th century church 'Templo de Santiago' and office complex of the Mexican foreign ministry. Its said to be one of the bloodiest places throughout mexico history.
In 1521, The Aztecs led by Cuauhtemoc made their last stand here against the conquistadors. Over 40,000 Aztecs died here.
It was also the place where 300 students were massacred to hide Mexico's social woes from the world in conjunction with the 1968 Summer Olympic games.
So much story so few photos. Our stop was only for a couple of minutes. Then it was off to see the Basilica.
Legend has it that Juan Diego, was walking along the place when the virgin Mary came onto him and commanded him to build a Church. The Pope at that time did not believe him and Juan Diego went back to ask Virgin Mary for proof. Mary asked him to collect some roses and present it to the Pope. It was winter, the rose was foreign and the poncho that Juan Diego carried the roses with was imprinted with the image of the Virgin Mary Mexicans know as the Lady Guadalupe. Hence the construction of the Church was ordered.
Moving deeper into the past, Teotihuacan or 'Birthplace of the Gods' abandoned by their mysterious owners, found by the Aztecs. This was the place where the Pyramids of the Sun and Moon resides.
But before heading to the site, we were taken to an Obsidian shop where we were shown the various orders of Obsidian and the multiple uses of the Maguey plant; sort of Aloe Vera's cousin of the Agave family.
TIP #2: If you have low tolerance with alcohol, don't drink 3 kinds of liquor shots (pulkea, tequila and mescal) before the pyramid even if the Mexicans say it has very little alcohol in it. Climbing 65 stories of steep rocky pyramid is no joke while tipsy is no joke!
These are a few shots of the pyramids and your chance to play "Where's Juzzy!"
SUNNY!!!!
Fun with the Umbrella!
Altar to the Moon God!
Honey-Moon hahahaa
Some Mexican Gals... not bad...
Mariachi and a she-Mariachi(?)In the evening, we met up with Laura and her Husband who are very dear friends of my good friend Shiva, Lord of Bachata (and from what I heard the new 'Sex Machine').
They brought us to this restaurant 'El Bajio' and showed us a good time and good local food.
Heres the Lovely Couple!
INFO #3: Shiva ate 15 tacos in one serving!
Thank you so much for the Hospitality and the drive around the City District to show the Day of the Dead Celebrations was fantastic.
INFO #4: Day of the Dead in Mexico represents a mixture of Christian devotion and Pre-Hispanic traditions and beliefs. As a result of this mixture, the celebration comes to life as an unique Mexican tradition including an altar and offerings dedicated to the deceased. For more info on Day of the Dead click here!
NEXT!! Part 2 Three days in La Habana!!!
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