Apparently, the same Demiurge who trampled inthe Mediterranean Sea and gave us Sardinia, decided to continue and, without looking, began to sprinkle the earth with blessings from his cornucopia. But, either the hands of the Demiurge trembled, or he was tired of righteous labors, but it happened that he dropped his cornucopia on North America, and left it lying there. He apparently had more than one horn, and it lay very beautifully. So he decided to finish decorating the earth and see what would come of it all. This story can hardly be called a confirmed historical fact. But it explains the abundance of world records for which Mexico is famous. Here you have the most densely populated city in the world, Mexico City, and the largest pyramid in the world, Quetzalcoatl, and the strangest ancient deities with the longest and most difficult to pronounce names, and even the thickest tree - and that grows in Mexico. By the way, if you look at the country from a bird's eye view, it really does resemble a horn! And if you start counting the sights of Mexico - natural, cultural, architectural, esoteric - the last doubts about divine providence will disappear. Only from the generosity of the soul could one so gift a small, in fact, piece of land. And if you have a desire to feel like Lara Croft or Indiana Jones, make a couple of discoveries for yourself and combine all this with the opportunity to have a good rest - welcome to Mexico!
Mixing of crops
Of course, we can name the capital once againMexico with a phrase stuck in your teeth - an open-air museum. Or launch into a lengthy discussion about the influence of Spanish culture on the architecture of Mexico City, but we would like you to avoid the stereotypical generally accepted views of Mexico and Mexicans on your journey. And try to discern what cannot be seen on the surface: the harmony with which various cultures are intricately intertwined. This applies to both the architectural monuments of Mexico City and the locals themselves. The majority of the population of Mexico are mestizos. It is impossible to imagine that centuries-old Spanish expansion did not have its impact on the culture of the country. But, surprisingly, in art, poetry, and literature, the influence of centuries-old traditions of the indigenous people who inhabited these lands at a time when the Spaniards did not yet think about conquering the ocean expanses can be traced. By the way, Mexico City was founded not by the Spaniards, but by the Aztecs in the 12th century. According to legend, the sun god Huitzilopochtli commanded his children to settle on these lands and found the city of Tenochtitlan. In their records, the first conquistadors who appeared in the city described the majestic city with admiration. They called it the Aztec Venice. But, as we know from history, the Spaniards did not limit themselves to simple admiration. And soon the Aztec city fell under the onslaught of the Spanish army, and Mexico City was founded on the site of Tenochtitlan. Unfortunately, the history of conquests does not end there. Mexico was too tasty a morsel for France and then the United States not to try to subjugate it. But the spirit of the rebellious Indians could not come to terms with this, and as a result, Mexico gained independence. Although many cultural values were destroyed. But not lost forever. They sprouted in architectural masterpieces, in holidays and music. For example. In Mexico City there is the Plaza of Three Cultures, where the remains of ancient buildings from the times of the Aztec civilization lie at the base. The Catholic Cathedral rises above them, and modern skyscrapers surround this contradictory composition. Or the Plaza of the Constitution, where the buildings of ancient Tenochtitlan remain to this day, adjacent to the Cathedral. The Feast of the Dead in Mexico is a combination of Christian customs of commemorating the dead and ritual dances of the Indians of North America. If in European culture it is customary to commemorate the dead with a touch of sadness, then in Mexico they organize a holiday on this day.
Treasury of Mexican art
One of the main attractions of the capitalMexico is considered the National Anthropological Museum. No other museum in the world can boast such a number of mysterious exhibits related to the pre-Columbian era. Altar stones with an unthinkable number of incomprehensible symbols, jade skulls (not crystal, do not believe Hollywood movies), the Mayan calendar, which predicts the coming end of the world in December 2012. And of course, figurines of Aztec gods. If their names make your tongue curl into a tube, then the images can put you in a state of mild shock. Imagine, Quetzalcoatl is a feathered serpent, and now try to mentally depict the appearance of this feathered reptile. A real miracle in feathers. And there is a whole pantheon of such gods in Aztec mythology. So you will have something to be surprised about, looking at the exhibits of the anthropological museum.
Quiet hunting for giants
For tourists from all over the world, Mexico isattractions, one way or another connected with the mysteries of ancient civilizations. Masterpieces of architecture, related to one or another architectural school, can be seen without going to another continent. But the pyramids and cities of the Aztecs, Mayans and those unknown creators who left their giant cities long before the Indians began to build temples to their strange deities are unique and inimitable. So, let's go hunting for secrets.
Pyramids of Teotihuacan
Don't freeze in admiration, realizingyour own insignificance, looking at the pyramids of the Moon and the Sun, is as hard as pronouncing the names of the Aztec gods. And the sight of the wide "road of the dead" takes your breath away. This road seems to lead a person straight to the solar disk against the horizon. A little imagination, and the wide channel of the road of the dead fills with water, before the mind's eye appears a sparkling path along which the Aztecs sent their deceased to the best of worlds. The steps of Teotihuacan clearly hint that the pyramid was not built for people. How else can you explain the fact that to climb this ladder you have to get on all fours and crawl, covering a distance of a man's height. It would be interesting to see those who walked this ladder without difficulty. And after this, scientists talk about acceleration? Yes, we, in comparison with representatives of ancient civilizations, are a trifle! And one more feature. It turns out that all the pyramids of Teotihuacan are located in the same way as the three stars in the constellation of Orion's Belt. So, you simultaneously find yourself between two mysteries: the Aztec pyramids and the alluring mysterious space. And it also becomes interesting how, without telescopes, people were able to repeat the pattern of the constellation?
Battle of the Gods
The Cholula pyramid is unfortunately the most strikingan example of thoughtless vandalism of the Spaniards. Moreover, vandalism with the permission of the church authorities. This is an example of the battle of the gods by means of unreasonable fanatics. The thing is that the Cholula pyramid is the largest in the world. Its design resembles our nesting dolls. Initially, the pyramid was much smaller, but the Indians loved to build new things without destroying the old, and over time, a layered pie of pyramids was created. There are only three layers, but this does not detract from their dignity. The walls of each pyramid are decorated with ornaments with the greatest care and love. Apparently, this did not give rest to the Catholic priests, who decided to drive the Indians into the bosom of their church with fire and sword. And therefore, the Cholula pyramid was covered with clay, having previously been plundered, and a church was built on top. Even modern Indians, who became Catholics long ago, call the church on top of Cholula a crown of thorns. And the pyramid is a martyr.
Chichen Itza - red area in Mexican
To visit Mexico and not see Chichen Itza isIt’s almost the same as coming to Moscow and not walking around Red Square. This city was built not even by the Aztecs, but by the Toltecs. An unfamiliar name, isn’t it? But it was the Toltecs who are considered the first tribes to inhabit the territory of Mexico. They even managed to found an empire. Scientists are still struggling with the mysteries of this civilization. Do you need proof? Here it is. The Pyramid of Quetzalcoatl. To someone standing at the foot of the pyramid, it may seem that the width of all the steps, both at the bottom and at the top, is the same. However, this is an optical illusion. The steps are made in such a way that, looking at them, you lose your sense of perspective. And you can get it back only by climbing up the steps to the very top of the pyramid of the feathered serpent. And one more detail. On the days of the equinox, the shadow of the pyramid slowly slides down the steps. Like a real snake. And it disappears exactly three hours and twenty-two minutes later. You can even set your watch by the shadow that has disappeared. Now think about the wealth of knowledge the Toltecs must have had to calculate everything to the minute and centimeter? Centuries pass by, but the pyramid's shadow does not linger for a minute, flowing down the steps.
Bird Island - feather and Aztec
Cultural attractions of Mexico arenot only stone idols or pyramids, but also the people themselves. In order to be convinced of this, you should go to the bird island - Mexcaltitan. There are so many legends explaining the name of the island that if they had real weight, the island would simply go under water and become a second Atlantis. But, fortunately, you came here not only for legends. So, let's be content with the simplest explanation that the island is called bird because of the abundance of herons on it. By the way, there are really a lot of them on the island. Beautiful graceful birds walk around the island, not at all embarrassed by the presence of people. They are used to it. But it is not the herons that attract tourists to Mexcaltitan. And not even the Aztec structures. They simply are not here. But the fact that the Aztecs themselves live on the island. There is not a single car or paved road on Mexcaltitan. The police have nothing to do here either. A minimum of the benefits of civilization and a maximum of the life of a native Aztec. No frills. Almost no secrets. But it is here that you can see traditional holidays. You will not see them like this anywhere else. Bird Island can be called a voluntary reservation. As if the locals consciously fenced themselves off from the rest of the world in order to preserve their own legends, traditions and foundations.
There is no limit to perfection
From the cornucopia of plenty, Mexico did not wake upnot only architectural monuments and mysteries, but also the beauty of nature, which without exaggeration can be called the sights of Mexico. After all these jumps on the pyramids, it would be nice to relax. Moreover, the Caribbean coast provides all the conditions for this. The resort cities of Acapulco, Manzanilla and Cancun are known throughout the world. Snow-white beaches, a lot of entertainment for those who like to relax in style. But this is what makes Mexico unique, that regardless of where exactly you decide to relax, as a pleasant addition to the usual set of services, you will definitely get a couple of attractions from the times of ancient civilizations.
Attraction of unseen waterfalls
For those who came to Mexico for its beautynatural parks, you should definitely go to the Basachechi Waterfalls Park. The waterfall itself, which gave the name to this area, falls from a height of 246 meters into a deep canyon. The roar of the waterfall drowns out any sounds. The indomitable element of water, the rainbow sparkling at the very bottom of the canyon, are fascinating and invariably cause admiration. By the way, if you manage to see where the rainbow begins, you can try to find treasure. The waterfalls of the Huasteca Potosina Reserve will captivate you with their color. Just imagine, it varies from transparent azure to milky blue. And you can look at all these waterfalls while floating on a real Indian canoe. Tired of the roar and the eye-catching predatory perfection of indomitable water falling from different heights, you can go to the Minas Viejas waterfall. Someone will say: well, here we go, another waterfall. Nothing of the sort! No aggression, the streams of water flowing smoothly down the rocks do not cause a primal fear of the elements, but bring peace. The main thing is, while you admire the waterfalls, not to miss your hat. There is jungle all around, the crowns of giant trees are inhabited by spider monkeys. And they are a curious and unceremonious people. And the love of fashionable hats is not alien to them. Cenotes are mysterious wells with transparent icy water. It is difficult to answer how they appeared. But the Mayan Indians considered bathing in these wells almost a sacred ritual. And you can not only swim, but also scuba dive. Moreover, this way, through underwater tunnels, you can get to hidden caves. Some of them can only be explored by swimming. That is, there is no entrance to such a cave from the outside. This is where you will amuse your instinct of discovery! Moreover, there is something to see and film in these caves for an amateur movie. It would take a long time to describe the sights of Mexico. But the best thing, of course, is to see them yourself. At least to learn how to drink tequila, wear a sombrero and dance salsa. Although, to be honest, Mexico is not just a country. It is a way of life. And, despite the seeming accessibility of its secrets and mysteries, it will always remain mysterious, incomprehensible and attractive to you.
