Mexico - Pyramids

The Pyramid of the Sun (bigger)  and the Pyramid of the Moon (smaller)  rose solidly out of the dry ground and into the hazy atmosphere. Pablo and I raced to the top of the Pyramid of the Sun. I haven't felt so anemic since I don't know when. Starting at 8k feet and running 200 feet straight up really sent my lungs for a loop.

Mexico - first morning

Slept super well with all the fresh air. I did get cold because this bum kept stealing the sheets... I'd steal a little back and sleep some more. 

Mexico - Tire repair

How much does it cost to get a tire fixed in Mexico? 3 dollars. 20 minutes and 50 pesos gave us the opportunity to watch some professional tire changers at work.

I was amazed at the dexterity with which these guys found the leak, broke the bead, removed the tire, prepared the patch, and reinstalled the tire and wheel. They made it look easy. I know from experience that it is not easy. They even took care to avoid scratching our nice alloy wheels. Very impressed. 

Mexico - Grand plan

This morning we plan to explore the Pyramid of the sun. To get there we drive north east out of Mexico city.

Tonight we camp at the base of La Malinche (middle star on map). Sabbath we summit this smaller peak. 

Next is La Iztaccihuakle, Ixta for short, which is over 17k feet tall (western star in map). 

Orizaba is next (eastern star on map) at over 18k feet. 

Mexico - first day pictures

Mexico - Vamanos!

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: "Luke Scott" <captnluke@gmail.com>
Date: Mar 1, 2018 10:29 PM
Subject: Mexico - Vamanos!
To: "Shutter Click Moments" <captnluke.pics@blogger.com>
Cc:

I quit writing papers at 11pm, and set my alarm for 4:30am. I was still behind in school, but I needed sleep before starting this trip.

Final gear checks were completed in the morning and we set off for the airport. Traffic on I75 coming into Atlanta from the north was very heavy, and we worried we would miss our flight. We arrived at our gate and boarded our Southwest flight for Houston just in time.

We arrived in Mexico City without incident. The airplane came down through a broken ceiling at 2500 feet. Underneath the clouds lay the sprawling city. Miles and miles of urban streets and buildings were enveloped in smog. The air didn't even look breathable. After clearing customs and exchanging American cash for local Pesos, the leaders and Spanish speakers in our group set out to rent vehicles. The rest of us stayed in the airport with our bags. I fell asleep in the pile of luggage. Three hours and one 13 peso ice cream cone later, our vehicles arrived. Loaded to the gills with bags of gear, we raced through the evening traffic.

Our apartment is awesome. It is a multi-story labyrinth laced together with thin metal spiral staircases. There is a small rooftop area with comfy chairs overlooking the city. This house is literally bigger vertically than horizontally. Some guys and I laid claim to the the highest bedroom, a cubby hole like room just beneath the roof sitting area. With windows on three sides we expected plenty of flowing air. The air is almost tactical. An indescribable slurry of scents wafts eternally through the pollution laden air.

For grub we walked down the narrow streets to a taco place. We were told by a local that this particular taco place was legit local food. It was so legit that they didn't have anything vegetarian. Across the block we found another street side vendor making quesadillas. These are nothing like quesadillas in the US. Cheese is not a staple here, but a light garnish. Fresh corn tortillas are filled with meat or potatoes and folded before being deep fried to a golden brown and sprinkled with cheese. Some of us also ventured to a corner bakery selling all kinds of pastries.

We are off the street now, sitting together and discussing our plans. I'm super tired, and ready to hit the hay. 

Tomorrow we tour the Teotihuacan pyramids and then camp at La Malinche. Sabbath we plan to summit La Malinche. 

Mexico - supper first night