I showed a little bit of Xalapa in my U is for Uphill post. Xalapa is a very old city located in the misty mountains, the capital of the state of Veracruz. This is my first time visiting. I am staying 4 months and hope to return next year for 5 months.
It is a city for summer. Even March was too cold for me. April to September are perfect months to stay in Xalapa. This city has many beautiful parks. It's a great place for birdwatchers. So far, I have only gone to the parks within walking distance. This is part of the playground at a downtown park.
Xalapa is located about fifty miles from Orizaba Peak, the highest volcano in North America at over 18,000 feet. It is the second highest volcanic peak in the world, after Mount Kilimanjaro in Africa. I took this photo from my kitchen window one unusually cloudless morning.
Xalapa is the site of the annual Orchard Festival, located in a little town on the outskirts of the city. It is always held end of March, early April as this is when the climate is most conducive for these sensitive flowers. I have no idea what these orchids are called, but they are just a few of the beautiful flowers we saw on display during the festival.
Okay, now I am saving the best for last. Xalapa has an archeological museum where $4.00 gets you a ticket to walk around viewing original giant Olmec heads and other artifacts from the Olmec period, which is the earliest known Mesoamerican civilization. It began around 1200 BC and disappeared around 400 BC for unknown reasons.
My daughter and I spent two hours here. Below are a few of our photos of these magnificent archeological wonders.
This final statue shows a man, likely a father holding his dead son. The man's mouth is open, which signifies a warrior, and probably the son killed during a battle or war. The face is so expressive, showing grief, captured in a sculpture of stone. It's worth a trip to Xalapa just to see the archeologic museum.
What an amazing museum, thanks for the intro tour, Karen. Also thanks for your comment on my recent post. American Cruise Lines has many similar tours on US waters, small ships with under 180 passengers max. We signed up for another one this October in the Pacific Northwest.
ReplyDeleteThat sounds like one to look forward to, with whale sightings, I imagine.
DeleteAnyone who has ever tried writing an A-to-Z book (us picture book writers know this category well) knows that the greatest challenge comes with the letter X. I'm jumping up and down and cheering this entry. You not only got it, but the images and information are stellar.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Mirka! I got lucky with this one.
DeleteThat last sculpture is poignant and haunting!
ReplyDeleteI really is. I'm glad that came through in the photo. To think this was done in stone shows the fantastic skills of the Olmec people.
DeleteYou didn't have to cheat for X. Woo-hoo! What a fascinating museum. Definitely worth the trip.
ReplyDeleteHaha, no, thanks to where I am staying right now. It's the most fun X I have ever done. I could have said so much more about Xalapa, too, but I think we are getting tired by this point in the Challenge.
DeleteI would visit for both the orchids and the artwork. That last statue is haunting. Thinking of the grief of someone who lived over 1,000 years ago makes you realize how universal our human emotions are. I've been to several orchid shows locally; there is such a variety to see.
ReplyDeleteThose heads rival the Moai on Easter Island and the Orchids are magnificent. I've enjoyed learning about Mexico's delights from you.
ReplyDeleteWonderful photos, Karen.
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