First Trip - Saturday, July 1st to The Shrine of the Virgin of Guadalupe, and Teotihucan Mexico City.
Second Trip - Saturday, July 8th to Guanajuato,
Third Trip - Saturday, July 15th to Mexico City to visit the National Museum of Anthropology, Museum of Modern Art, and the Castillo de Chapultepec
First Educational Field Trip: Mexico City
Mexico City, elevation 7,342 feet. Population over 21 million people. Mexico City lies in the valley of Mexico or Anahuac in a basin 60 miles long and 30 miles wide, bounded by mountains on all sides except the north. The mountains which hem Mexico City are in part responsible for creating the smog problem that threatens the environment. Students should be aware of the elevation of Mexico City which is one mile above sea level and the attendant smog conditions in the city during the first tour to Mexico. Students should check with their doctors as to any health concerns regarding the high elevation and smog conditions.
Basilica De Nuestra Senora De Guadalupe: It honors the nation's patron saint and foremost religious figures, the Virgin Guadalupe and Juan Diego. One of the Roman Catholic's holiest shrines. Mexican Catholics believe that at this site on December 9, 1531 the Virgin appeared to Juan Diego, a peasant Indian, and asked him that a church be built at the site now referred to as " Tepeyac ." After hearing this story, the bishop requested proof. Juan Diego returned on December 12, his cape filled with roses that the Virgin had directed him to pick. When the cape was opened to the bishop, the roses disappeared and the image of the Virgin was imprinted on Juan Diego tunic. There appeared the dark skinned Virgin. Mexican history has been greatly affected by religion and it is important for students to appreciate the historical context of this phenomena in Mexico. During the tour, the students will review an hour long tape of " Guadalupe Tonantzin. " Tonantzin is an indigenous goddess.
Teotihuacan,(teh-oh-tee-wah-kahn) elevation 7,482 feet above sea level. One of Mexico's major archeological zones. Teotihuacan is thought to have been founded as early as 700 B.C. The area archeologists estimate it housed over 200,000 people. The city was burned and abandoned for unknown reasons around 750 A.D. The area was later inhabited by the Toltecs; by the time the Aztecs arrived it was in ruins. Teotihuacan means, " place of the gods ". There are two major pyramids, the pyramid of the Moon , north at the end of " Avenida de los Muertos "(Avenue of the Dead), 140 feet high, and to the right side, traveling north is the pyramid of the Sun , 250 feet high. The apex of the pyramid of the Moon is rocky and very uneven, students need to take great care if they plan to climb the approximately 140 steps. The pyramid of the Sun is no less daunting and students must take great care in climbing the approximately 250 steps. During the tour the students will review the film " Teotihuacan ."
Second Educational Field Trip: Guanajuato, Guanajuato
Guanajuato elevation 6,649 feet above sea level. Guanajuato is one of Mexico's beautifully preserved colonial city's and played an integral role in Mexico's independence from Spain. The students will participate in a walking tour of some of the historical sites with a visit to the home of the great Mexican muralist, Diego Rivera . Housed there are 90 Rivera paintings and one may observe the artist development as an artist from cubism to his later indigenous and revolutionary murals.
Third Educational Field Trip: Mexico City
National Museum of Anthropology : The museum is designed into 12 exhibition halls or "salas". Each hall focuses on a separate period or culture. The first three rooms offer general introduction to anthropology and the rise of Mesoamerican civilization. The following rooms survey the Pre Classic and Classic periods. One room is devoted to Teotihuacan. The Mexica (Aztec Hall) houses the 24 ton stone Aztec calendar, " Piedra del Sol ". The Gulf of Mexico Hall is dominated by Olemec culture and the reconditioned Maya Hall is must see for the students. Students for a small fee may rent head sets that explain the artifacts in this great museum.
Museum of Modern Art: The Museum of Modern Art houses the great works of Frieda Kahlo and paintings of Diego Rivera and other Mexican modern artists. A must see is Freida Kahlo's, " Two Freidas ."
Castillo De Chapultepec : In Chapultepec Park across from the National Museum of Anthropology, the Castillo De Chapultec stands atop 200-foot high plateau overlooking the central part of Mexico city. During the United States Mexican war in 1847, the castle was defended by young cadets from the military college. These young " Heroes " continue to be honored in Mexico. Later in 1866 the castle served as the royal palace for Archduke Maximilian and his wife Carlota during the French occupation of Mexico. The castle was made the national patrimony in 1939 by President of Mexico, Larzo Cardenas. A must see but a strenuous walk to get there.