Daniel Cann

It used to be a thriving city in the ancient world with a population of over two hundred thousand, making it more densely populated than Rome at the time. It was one of the largest cities in the World, mysteriously over a long period of time it became abandoned. Clutching a two litre bottle of water and my pocket camera I walked down the Avenue of the Dead (cheerful people the Aztecs!), climbed the pyramids of the Sun and the Moon and soaked it all in. There were statues of serpents and gargoyles as well as murals covering the walls of all the buildings. I don’t know if it was because I was recovering from the fever or not, but it was a particularly mystical place. I was fascinated and in my element for the whole day.

I felt like an explorer again and my imagination went into overdrive. Everywhere around me were similarly awed tourists all who were dwarfed by the impressive centuries old pyramids that would probably still be there long after we had all departed this world. It was another highlight of the trip and lifted my spirits.

That evening Ben and I moved to the cheaper ‘Principal’ Hotel. We had a safe in our room and there were more plants than a greenhouse downstairs in the lobby and on the landing!

The following day we walked for miles all over Mexico City. I had fully recovered and it was good to see the city on foot. We visited the City Square and saw the ‘Palacio de Ayuntamiento’ the centre of the city government, the Metropolitan Cathedral and huge National flag in the Zocalo District. It was a bustling place and I could easily believe that over eight million people lived in the city. It was friendly and relaxed and everyone seemed laid back and out for a good time. We walked along the Zona Rosa and saw the Independence Monument: ‘The Angel de la Independencia’ built to celebrate Mexico’s independence from Spain.

We also took in the Chapultepec Park, which was set amongst trees and boasted plenty of statues and more people! Again I found this place to be warm, bustling and friendly. Despite being in the middle of a capital city the park was a place of serenity. Arriving back at the hotel later that evening we felt tired but rewarded. Mexico City had shown me the side of Mexico that I had yearned to see. All the trouble it took to get to this place, all the discomfort and unwelcome experiences and sights had been worth it for this.

The following morning, a Sunday, Ben and I walked around the market stalls and parks, soaking in the culture and atmosphere. For me it was for the last time as I had a bus to catch while Ben was adamant that he was going to Guatemala. It was a sad parting at the bus terminal. Up to that point we had both shared a journey that neither of us could have imagined. We had shared so many amazing things around the World together but I think we both respected each other’s decision to split up.

We shook hands then gave each other a bear hug. ‘See you in South Dakota mate.’ Ben smiled.

‘Yeah, see you there. Be careful.’ I replied.

Ben nodded and then turned, slowly disappearing into the crowds. A link to home had gone away. I just hoped my friend would be okay as neither of us had even considered going this far south before our trip and we had certainly not done any extensive research into Guatemala. Ben was going into the unknown. We had originally just planned a border crossing into Mexico before hopping back over to America like most other tourists. But the pull and lure of Mexico was too much and we had found we had spent more time there than we had initially envisaged.

My bus was far from ‘Primera Classe!’ The journey seemed never ending, taking seventeen hours! I was the only non-Mexican, non-Spanish speaking person on the bus but I did not care, as I was too tired. The bus would take me into the foothills of the Sierra Madre, up the Gulf Coast and through the Rio Bravo and to Matamoros where I would board another bus back into Texas. It was a six hundred mile journey and I think I managed to sleep through most of it!