Ballooning Teotihuacan

Our day started before the sun, catching a mini-bus west of Mexico City to the legendary Teotihuacan archaeological complex – a sprawling ancient city once home to over 100,000 people at its peak. The journey had an unexpected twist when our bus got a flat tire, adding a bit of tension to the trip. But any stress melted away the moment we lifted off the ground in a hot air balloon, drifting gently into the cool morning air.

Floating above the Pyramid of the Sun and the Pyramid of the Moon, the two massive structures that define Teotihuacan, was pure magic. Seeing these ancient pyramids from above, bathed in the golden glow of dawn, made the early wake-up call and the bumpy ride absolutely worth it. I’ve always loved balloon flights, and this one – quiet, surreal, and breathtaking – was no exception.

Back on solid ground, we refueled with a delicious traditional breakfast before exploring the site itself. One unexpected highlight was watching the creation of cochineal dye – a vibrant red pigment made from tiny white insects that live on cactus pads. This dye has been used for centuries, even by the Aztecs and later the Spanish, who prized it as one of Mexico’s most valuable exports.

Our tour ended in a hidden cave, where a natural skylight cast a perfect circle of sunlight onto the floor. It was said to reveal your aura, though the photo of Trine below might be a little enhanced with a long exposure. Or is it?

Finally, this evening we went out to dinner with some old friends of Al and Trine’s who now live here. We had the most amazing tasting menu. So now full, happy and exhausted I’m hoping to sleep.