We took off on another trip to find El Tajin. The map gave us great directions and we managed to get there avoiding all of the pot holes. AND IT IS MAGNIFICENT!!!! A very large area. A big center of trade and culture from
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| PYRAMID OF NICHES AT EL TAJIN |
There are over 20 ball courts in this site. The central area with four great pyramids were used for ceremonies. Just outside the ceremonial area were the houses for the upper class, then the common folk and high up on a hill the ruler lived. That was so he could have a view of everything. He and his family were the only ones who were priviledged to know the calendar. So that if he said the rainy season is coming you need to plant or plow or whatever, and the rain did come then they would be in wonder. The site was abandoned by the Totonac Indians when the climate changed and there were tremendous rains that flooded everything. It rains 83 inches a year now so it was a big rain. They retreated to higher ground leaving only a few behind. Those few were unable to maintain the site and left also. They came back later but decided not to stay. There are Totonac Indians in the area now and our guide was Totonac. He was an archeologist also. Lots of information.
I have many photos but you know about this blog and photos or this computer - they won't download. As in any county or tourist site, the way in is lined with food and things to buy. The sellers were Totonac Indians.
When we first arrived we parked by a motorhome with California tags and Pete began to speak English, that didn't work, so he tried Spanish. They called for someone inside and out came a woman who spoke English with a French accent. These were three motor homes of French young people who were traveling Mexico and had been at El Tajin about a month and a half.
So we still haven't met any Americans since we got into the country. To put it another way, this sure ain't gringo Mexico.
Our stay in the LaQuinta was delightful with a nice hot shower.
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