Teotihuacan - The place where the gods were created

50km north of Mexico City lies the ancient ruins of Teotithucan, to get there you can get the bus from the Del Norte bus terminal. However in recent years this bus has been the target of armed robbers which is highlighted in the guide book. Not to be put off we leave all our valuables in the hotel safe and then navigated the city's underground metro system to find the bus station, for only 5 pesos [20p] you can go anywhere.

Not much is known about Teotihucan (The place where the gods were created), the earliest buildings date back to 200 BC and the Temple of the Sun was completed in AD 100. This makes Teotihucan one of the earliest examples of Meso-American history, predating the Aztecs (Mexicas) by well over 1000 years. This city reached its peak in 450AD housing some 150000 people and by around 450AD was completely abandoned, though there are many theory's as to why no one really knows.

As we walked along the Avenue of the Dead looming in the distance half way along is the Pyramid of the Sun, the 3rd largest pyramid in the world. At the end is the Pyramid of the Moon, around half the size and surrounded by 12 smaller pyramids.

On the front of the pyramid of the sun is a set of steeps stairs leading to the top. I don't know whether it is the pollution in Mexico city, the altitude or lack of fitness but it turns out to be more tiring climbing those stairs than it looks. Its worth it though as at the top you are rewarded with scenic views of the entire site.

We soon noticed that people weren't just interested in the temples, as a Chinese man sneakily takes photos of Karl. We spot him again with his oversized lens pointing up at us.

As we arrived at the bottom of the pyramids a couple of Mexican girls ask in Spanish for their photo taken with us, not really sure what their saying we pose for a photo with them anyway. About 2 minutes later a group of school kids have surrounded us, asking questions and giving us questionnaires to complete. Then, what a surprise, they want their photos taken with us. Surely the pyramids are more interesting than two white people.

After escaping all the attention we continue along the avenue of the dead to the Pyramid of the Moon, climbing the incredibly steep stairs gives spectacular views along the Avenue of the Dead, the sheer size of the Temple of the Sun can really be appreciated from this vantage point. The only problem is we now have to get back down!

After a quick tour around some of the partially preserved palaces and the on-site museum we get the bus back hoping once again not to be robbed. Having learnt a little of Mexican history we arrive safely back in Mexico city.