Even though my hometown of Las Vegas is already experiencing beautiful weather, I am aware that much of the Northeastern United States is still under a blanket of snow. I guess this is my chance to rub in all of your beautiful faces the awesome weather we have here in Puebla, Mexico. Last Sunday, a friend and I went to the small town of Tonantzintla to see a church we had heard a lot about in our sociology class this semester, and a in a Mexican culture class I took last semester. After waiting an hour for my friend (time change barely happened here on the 3rd) and taking three different buses to get to this little pueblito, we finally found the church, which is really the only attraction in Tonantzintla. The church is world-renowned for its indigenous-influenced baroque style which pays homage to the indigenous beliefs of the indians who were forced to build a church on the spot where they once worshiped the Aztec goddess Tonantzin. The towns name in the native náhuatl means 'the place of the holy mother' or something like that. Tontantzin's adoration was replaced with the Catholic Spanish image of the Virgin of Guadalupe. Sadly no pictures were allowed inside, so you all will just have to settle for Google images search results and pictures I was able to take of the outside of the church.
Inside the church of Tonantzintla - Thanks Google
Indigenous influences, such as feathers, fruits and darker skin
Tonantzintla from the outside
Church bells
Mexican Homer Simpson look-a-like
The Virgin Mary, or Tonantzin? You decide!
"Welcome to the longest-named town in the world"
After touring the church and trying some Aztec chocolate drink, we headed down to Cholula (about 2 miles away) on foot. After not wearing sunscreen and burning, I am happy to say that I am now about two shades darker. This Mexican sun is relentless. Anyways, along the way we found so crazy cool street art.
... And the award for most random goes to...
I was excited to see such cool works of art on in such a random place as Cholula, which is like a suburb of Puebla. I guess less people means more privacy and a higher chance of evading the police. I wish Vegas had stuff like this. So finally we made it too Cholula and got to see the ruins of the ancient pyramid there, and also take in an indigenous ceremony known as 'la danza de los voladores' or dance of the flying men in English; it's a cool and quirky ritual that thankfully has survived the Spanish conquest:
So all in all, it was a great day and I got to experience just a little bit more of Mexico's culture. The day before on Saturday, I also captured a few more images of Springtime in Puebla:
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