Xalapa
We visit the " Museo de Antropologia ": the city higtlight.
Built in 1937, it's the second largest and richest museum in Mexico.
It has more than 29 000 artefacts. Only 2 500 are displayed.
This superb museum is made of 18 galleries, 6 rooms and 4 patios.
The statues and artefacts are very clearly displayed all along a large rectangular space following the difference in height of the garden in which it has been built.
The civilizations originated from " Veracruz State " represent the unique subject of 3 history millenaries.
* The Olmeques with their famous giant heads (San Lorenzo)
* The Totonaques (El Tajin)
* The Huasteques (San Luis Potosi)
Fantastic museum...We loved it......The way, its deplayed and the incredibly well kept artwork.
Cempoala
The weather forecast was right. We leave Nautla under heavy rain.
We drive along the coastline on a " National " road with " National " potholes and " National " bumps. A nightmare for the driver.
The sun is back when we arrive in " Cenpoala ".
This site took a major place in the " Totonaque " culture from the 13th century, an important astronomic and mathematic center.
Submited to the great aztec " Tenochitlan ", she decided to help the spanish to conquer her enemies, but she had never thought at that time, that she would be brought to slavery (as everywhere else...)
The pyramids have been built with stones from the nexdoor river.
We drive on to " Xalapa " : grey sky
Nautla
We spend 5 days on the coastline, in the gulf of Mexico. We update our website and wash and clean the camper under a beautiful sun.
As we are the only one in the camping site, we practice our golf everyday.
The grass is pretty high and finding our balls is not always easy...but we have fun.
El Tajin
Our road towards the gulf of Mexico, is once again, monotonous.
We drive on highways, quite expensive ones, but that's the only way to avoid the winding mountain roads.
On our way, we stop in " El Tajin "
It's a precolobian city, very well kept, located amid little hills, and a world heritage town since 1992.
It has been discovered, by chance by a tax inspector, looking for illegal plantations.
It was founded during the 5th century by the " Totonaques " amerindians, still here today in the area, who played an important role regarding to " Cortès " and the mexican colonization.
" Tajin " meaning " Lightning " the temple has been dedicated to " Quetzalcoatl ".
This city's apogee took place at the fall of " Tehotihuacan ", and hosted 25 000 people.
During the 6th century, it became the regional capital city until its disappearance in the 13th century.
* Piramid de los Nichos : At the origin, it was covered with red paint. It's made of 7 floors and counts 365 black painted niches. Some versions tell that there was one statue in each of the niches and that they would correspond to the solar calendar....not everyone agree !!!
* Juegos de Pelota : 17 of them are found in " El Tajin ". On the south playing ground area, remain some reliefs showing players.
It's a beautiful site, but we ignore the purpous of most ot the buildings. The small museum at the entrance doesn't tell much more about it.
That's quite often the case on most sites we visit. A lack of informations and nothing in english...
ROAD BOOK 046
MAVROS ODYSSEE