On Sunday, we embarked our journey to Queretaro bright and early. After a very hard goodbye to our buffet breakfast and unlimited coffee we were on our way. After about an hour, we reached the Aztec pyramids, I was overjoyed to be greeted by the sights of hot air balloons scattered across the sky. This view felt like a sneak peek of my bucket list experience, hot air balloons in turkey for sunrise – absolutely insane.
Once we were walking in I quickly realised we were in the middle of a desert and with no hat, I made an educated decision to buy one. Felt very proud of myself as I managed to barter for the first time! I almost felt nostalgic wearing my “cowgirl” hat as it took me back to ag days at my rural primary school where cowgirl hats were the dress code.
The pyramids were beautiful and for the first time here I felt extremely immersed in the culture. We were taught how to respectfully walk up the stairs to the pyramids which was very interesting to me as it made me wonder how many times I may have done something incorrectly purely for lack of knowledge on cultural norms. The pyramids were beautiful and very interesting to look at and learn about.
We were showed how if you stand in a very particular spot and if you clap the pyramids are perfectly structured to produce an echo which is supposedly identical to a specific bird call. I could not wrap my mind around how the Aztecs managed to create something so technical which even with modern day science and engineering seems impossible.
My favourite part of the day was the amazing buffet lunch they served us and the Aztec dancing we were taught. They catered to our low spice tolerance with pasta and fries but also served the yummiest mexican traditional food including meats, sides and yummy lime deserts.
We were surprised by traditionally dressed people with really unique instruments, they gathered us in a circle where we were taught some dance moves. It was really fun to embrace the culture and try something new. Even though I couldn’t speak their language or knew their norms, I felt very involved and welcomed.
