THE OLMEC OF MEXICO

I have chosen the Olmec culture of Mexico and Mesoamerica to share in this blog posting as part of my "INDIGENOUS PEOPLES OF LATIN AMERICA" series.

Many years ago while exploring the Veracruz region of Mexico my husband and I visited the incredible Xalapa Museum dedicated to the Olmec people. We were astounded by what we saw and I have never forgotten the experience. This blog posting will share the culture of the Olmec people while highlighting the amazing stone head sculptures created by the Olmec.





Researching this relatively unknown people has really caught my attention. To me the Olmec are fabulously fascinating, mystifying, and bewildering. What more could I want for a blog posting. So if you are ready to meet the Olmec let's get to it!





The Olmec were the first major Mesoamerica culture despite being younger than the Maya. The name “Olmec” was almost certainly not what they called themselves, but is derived from Aztec writings which called the area they lived in "Olman." In the Aztec language of Nahuatl the word Olmec means “land of rubber" or "rubber people" because of the abundance of rubber trees in the area.

The Olmec made rubber from the native trees which they traded throughout Mesoamerica. Because the Olmec did not have writing skills other than a handful of carved glyph symbols which have survived we do know know what name the Olmec called themselves.





The mysterious Olmec civilization was located in ancient Mexico and prospered in Pre-Classical (Formative) Mesoamerica from about 1200 BCE to 400 BCE. The Olmec are generally considered the forerunner of subsequent Mesoamerica cultures including the Maya and Aztecs. They lived in the tropical lowlands on the Gulf of Mexico in the present-day Mexican states of Veracruz and Tabasco.





San Lorenzo Tenochtitlan (or San Lorenzo) is the collective name for three related archaeological sites including San Lorenzo, Tenochtitlan, and Potrero Nuevo located in the southeast portion of the Mexican state of Veracruz. Along with La Venta and Tres Zapotes San Lorenzo Tenochtitlan was one of the three major cities of the Olmec and it was the major center of Olmec culture from 1200 BCE to 900 BCE.

They were farmers, artists, mathematicians, and astronomers. They wrote in hieroglyphics as did many of the cultures that followed them. They never built any major cities that we are aware of, but they did leave one pyramid behind before it collapsed.





The Olmec were among the first Mesoamerica complex societies and their culture influenced many later civilizations including the Maya. Their most famous legacy are the mysterious and immense Olmec heads which average nine feet in height with a weight of 30 tons. The Olmec heads were carved from basaltic volcanic rock found over 80 miles away and then transported to their "resting place." It is believed that the stone heads were carved to commemorate their rulers.





Archaeological evidence suggests that the Olmec originated the Mesoamerica ballgame which was popular in pre-Colombian America. The Mesoamerican ballgame was a sport with ritual associations played since 1400 BC by the pre-Columbian people of Ancient Mesoamerica.



A modern day ballgame player in Mexico keeping the tradition alive.


In the most common theory of the game the players struck the ball with their hips although it is believed that in some versions the use of forearms, rackets, bats, or hand stones were used. The ball was made of solid rubber and weighed as much as nine pounds. This was one serious "game" with the losing team members often executed.

There are no written records of Olmec commerce, beliefs, or customs, but from archaeological evidence it appears they interacted and traded with nearby indigenous peoples. In fact, Olmec artifacts have been found across Mesoamerica indicating that there were extensive inter regional trade routes.





The Olmec culture was defined and unified by a specific art style. Crafted in a variety of materials including jade, clay, basalt, and green stone much of the Olmec art is naturalistic.




The most striking art left behind by the Olmec culture were colossal sized carved heads. Seventeen monumental stone representations of human heads sculpted from large basalt boulders have been unearthed in the region occupied by the Olmec to date. 

The most recognized aspect of the Olmec civilization are the enormous helmeted heads. As no known pre-Columbia text explains them these impressive monuments have been the subject of much speculation. Once theorized to be ballplayers, it is now generally accepted that these heads are images of rulers perhaps dressed as ballplayers.

The heads date from at least before 900 BCE and are a distinctive feature of the Olmec civilization. The heads were arranged in either lines or groups at major Olmec centers, but the method and logistics used to transport the stone to the sites remain uncertain.

Seventeen confirmed examples of the colossal stone heads are known from four sites within the Olmec heartland on the Gulf Coast of Mexico. Most colossal heads were sculpted from spherical boulders, however two from San Lorenzo Tenochtitlan were re-carved from massive stone thrones.




From the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City


"Met curator Joanne Pillsbury on immortality in Mask, 10th–6th century B.C.E. by the Olmec peoples of ancient Mexico:

Depicting a typical Olmec face with slanted, almond-shaped eyes and a toothless, slightly down turned mouth, this mask is rendered with simplicity and elegance. Its harmonious proportions are indicative of the sophistication attained by Olmec sculptors.

The smooth, highly polished planes of cheek, forehead, and chin plus the almost fleshy quality of the nose and parted lips belie the incredible hardness of the jadeite cobble from which the mask was made.

The face itself is neither human nor supernatural, but rather an idealized type that incorporates otherworldly aspects such as the mouth, with its reference to the so-called were-jaguar, a powerful mythic being with human and jaguar trait."





The Olmec population declined sharply between 400 and 350 BCE although it is unclear why. Archaeologists speculate that the depopulation was caused by environmental changes including specifically the silting-up of rivers which choked off the water supply.





Another theory for the considerable population drop and the relocation of their settlements might have been caused due to increased volcanic activity in the region. Volcanic eruptions during the Early, Late, and Terminal Formative periods would have blanketed the lands with ash and forced the Olmec to move their settlements.





There were eight different androgynous (possessing male and female characteristics) Olmec deities each with its own distinct characteristics. Deities also often represented a natural element and included the following: the Maize (corn) deity, the Rain Spirit (also known as the Were-Jaguar deity), and the Fish or Shark Monster.

Infused with individuality no two heads are alike and the helmet-like headdresses are adorned with distinctive elements suggesting personal or group symbols. Some have also speculated that Mesoamerican people believed that the soul along with all of one's experiences and emotions was contained inside the head.





Seventeen heads have been discovered to date ten of which are from San Lorenzo and four from La Venta which were two of the most important Olmec centers. The heads were each carved from a single basalt boulder which in some cases were transported sixty two miles, or more, to their final destination, presumably using huge balsa river rafts wherever possible and log rollers on land.





The principal source of this heavy stone was Cerro Cintepec in the Tuxtla Mountains. The heads can be nearly (9.8 feet high and 14.7 feet in circumference and averaging around 16,000 pounds in weight. The heads were sculpted using hard hand-held stones and it is likely that they were originally painted using bright colors.

The fact that these giant sculptures depict only the head may be explained by the widely held belief in Mesoamerica culture that it was the head alone which contained the emotions, experience, and soul of an individual.






All examples of Olmec colossal heads wear distinctive headdresses which might represent cloth or animal hides. Some examples have a tied knot at the back of the head and some are decorated with feathers. A head from La Venta is decorated with the head of a bird.

There are similarities between the headdresses on some of the heads that has led to speculation that specific headdresses may represent different dynasties or perhaps identify specific rulers.


                                        


Dr. Alfonso Caso was the first to propose the Olmec culture as being the "mother culture" of Mesoamerica pre-dating even the Maya. Matthew Williams Stirling, an American archaeologist, supported this hypothesis. He was quoted as saying: "This great culture which we encounter in ancient prehistoric levels of excavation is without a doubt mother of other cultures, like the Maya, the Teotihuacan, the Zapotec, that of El Tajin, and others."





Matthew Williams Stirling (August 28, 1896 -January 23, 1975) was an American archaeologist and best known for his discoveries relating to the Olmec civilization. It would be nearly 15 years before radiocarbon dating finally confirmed that the Olmec pre-dated the Maya. The Olmec culture is generally considered to have lasted from 1400 BCE until 400 BCE.

Today San Lorenzo Tenochtitlan is best known for the colossal stone heads unearthed there including the largest weighing in at 30 tons and approximately 10 feet in height.





Front and side views of Colossal Head #1 which is now located at the Museum of Anthropology of Xalapa in the state of Veracruz. This head dates from 1200 to 900 BCE and is approximately 9 feet tall and and 7 feet wide. That's definitely one impressive head!



Hanging out with the Olmec heads in Xalapa, Veracruz was one incredible experience. Thank you for joining me and my brief introduction to the Olmec of Mexico. I look forward to another adventure soon and appreciate your company. Until then, wishing you well wherever your adventuress and travels take you. Saludos, Laura

A CHRISTMAS GREETING CARD FROM PUERTO VALLARTA 2019

Welcome to this year's Christmas posting from Puerto Vallarta which is my "Holiday Greeting Card" to each and every one of you who read and follow my blog. Since I have published a number of postings on this annual tradition I have decided to to do something very different and share some of our favorite fish amigos from Puerto Vallarta.

This blog posting is dedicated to my "fish man" husband who was not only born under the sign of Pisces, but gave me the gift of introducing me to the amazing marine life of our ocean.

As natives of Southern California it was natural for my husband and I to learn to swim as soon as we could walk. And as a competitive swimmer my husband definitely knew what swimming was all about. But it wasn't until we settled down from our nomadic life on the Pacific coast of Mexico did we learn to appreciate the joys of snorkeling just for the fun of it. In the process my husband has also become quite an underwater photographer which allows us to share our "fish amigos" with friends wherever they may be.

Of late, however, we have seen a very noticeable decline of local marine life which needless to say is very disheartening.  Global warning with its affect on the marine life is becoming more and more obvious to us. The questions we are asking include:  Where are the fish going?  Are the fish heading south to cooler waters?  Are the fish heading further out in search of cooler deeper seas? What will the fish do in order to survive?  These are just some of the serious questions which we all should be concerned with, not only for fish, but for human kind.

It is rare that we do not visit our fish friends on a daily basis and it is my great pleasure to introduce you to this incredible environment.  The following are some of our favorite images from our snorkeling excursions so if you are ready let's visit our fish amigos in this incredible, but fragile environment.

The spotted eagle ray is a cartilaginous fish having a skeleton made of cartilage rather than bone.  Eagle rays areovoviviparous which means the female hatches eggs within their bodies and then releases the young as miniature versions of the parent. This ray can be identified by its dark dorsal surface covered in white spots or rings. Spotted eagle rays are most commonly seen alone, but occasionally swim in groups and are commonly observed leaping out of the water.  To me they appear to be "flying" like a bird and I am enchanted with them.

A gorgeous male porcupine fish belongs to the family Diodontidae and is often referred to as a blowfish, balloonfish, and globefish. The porcupine fish is often confused with the Puffer fish, but they are actually two different species. The males can be seen with their gorgeous and striking colors as seen above while the females of the species are "dressed" down in drab colors.

               

The yellowfin surgeonfish is one of several marine fish that change color as they get older. Its body is purplish gray and has a region of dull yellow in front of its eye.The yellowfin surgeon fish ranges in length up to 28" with eight or 9 dorsal spines, or raya, including 25-27 dorsal soft rays, three anal spines, 23-25 anal soft rays, and 16-24 anterior and 17-22 posterior gill rakers.

Wow! This is one spiny fish, but I have never felt threatened by it and with its striking blue/gray body and yellow tail I find them particularly handsome.

 

Porcupine fish, also known as Pufferfish, belong to the family Diodontidae and are also commonly called blowfish, balloonfish, and globefish. The puffer fish has the remarkable ability to inflate itself by rapidly pumping water into its stomach when faced with danger. This increase in size which is almost double vertically reduces the range of potential predators to those with much bigger mouths.

Although "puffers" have evolved to suck in water if lifted out of the water they can also sometimes suck in air. I find this particular individual absolutely stunning with its yellow "wet suit" with my special thanks to my fish-photographer husband and this great photo memory.  The Pufferfish is our favorite local fish friend and to share their world always makes for a special day.

The Moorish Idol is a marine fish species found in our Pacific waters in Mexico. The Moorish idol got its name from the Moors of Africa who purportedly believed the fish to be a bringer of happiness. The Moorish Idol is distinctive with its disk-like body and relatively small fins. The dorsal fin has six or seven spines which are dramatically elongated which form a trailing, sickle-shaped crest called the philomantis.  I find the Moorish Idol beautiful in both its coloring and unusual features.

It is said that purple Yellowtail Angelfish got their name because of their shape with their fins appearing like angel wings and when turned head-down a silhouette of an angel. Belying their name, however, "angels" are very territorial and become quite aggressive as they mature.

And last, but certainly my favorite, is the white-spotted pufferfish which is a  medium to large sized Pufferfish reaching up to 20 inches in length. It is light grey in color with yellow fins and covered with more or less regular white points. The adult is nocturnal, solitary, territorial, and can be somewhat aggressive. I find him very handsome and he always makes me smile. 

A yellow pufferfish who wasn't exactly thrilled to see us, but I believe he got over it.  

Many, many more fish images may also be viewed in our large photograph album by opening the following link FISH FOTO BLOG ALBUM 2019

PS For viewing the album as a slide show click on the upper right hand corner of the first photo and choose slide show.  Isn't technology simply marvelous when you know what your are doing!   😜  

Thank you for joining me and our fish friends and wishing you the happiest of holidays.  Until next time,  Laura

AZTECS AND MORE OF THEIR HISTORY AND CULTURE

My first blog posting THE AZTECS AND THEIR AWESOME ACCOMPLISHMENTS received so much positive feedback, I decided to share more of the Aztec culture and history in a second posting.  This posting highlights what I think are interesting facts about the origin, the rulers, the conquests, the religion, as well as the rise and fall of their empire.  So let's revisit the Aztecs!  

Mesoamerica is a term used to describe the region roughly corresponding to modern day Mexico and Central America which was inhabited by various societies before Spanish colonization following the discovery by Christopher Columbus of the "New World." 

Included in that new world was the Aztec Empire which was a triple alliance between the city states of Tenochtitlan, Texcoco, and Tlacopan which dominated most of central Mexico as well as other territories in Mesoamerica from the early 14th century until the Spanish conquest in 1521. 

The term Aztec is usually used to refer to the Nahuatl-speaking people of central Mexico. But more specifically it describes the Mexica people who built Tenochtitlan, the capital city of the Aztec Empire, and the inhabitants of its allies, the Acolhuas of Texcoco and the Tepanecs of Tlacopan. 

Mexico City was built on the ruins of Tenochtitlan. A majority of modern day Mexicans are mestizos a term used to describe a person of combined European and indigenous descent. The Nahuatl language is still spoken by around 1.7 million people mostly in the mountainous regions of Mexico.

The following ten Aztec "facts" I find especially interesting:   

#1 THEY WERE BANISHED TO AN ISLAND AFTER THEY SACRIFICED THE DAUGHTER OF A KING

Aztlan is a legendary place, the location of which has not yet been identified. The Aztec people refer to Aztlan as their ancestral home. In Nahuatl, the language spoken by the Aztecs, the word Aztecah means “people from Aztlan”  from which the Aztecs get their popular name. 


The Mexica people were the last of Aztlan migrants to arrive in the Valley of Mexico around the year 1250 AD. The king of the city-state Colhuacan allowed them to settle in a place called Chapultepec. He later wanted to marry one of his daughters to a Mexica and appoint her to rule over their tribe. 

                            A modern day Aztec princess.

The Mexica however sacrificed her to their patron god Huitzilopitchli. Enraged, the king drove them out of his region. They were forced into an island in Lake Texcoco, a swampy region which no one had yet inhabited due to its difficult geography. 

                            

There the Mexica people saw an eagle nested on a nopal cactus which they interpreted as a sign from their god to build their city on that location. They called the city Tenochtitlan and this vision is the inspiration for today's Mexican national flag as seen below.  

#2 THEY BUILD THE AMAZING CITY OF TENOCHTITLAN ON ONE OF THE MOST DIFFICULT OF TERRAINS

Painting of Tenochtitlan as painted by the Mexican muralist DIEGO RIVERA


When the Aztecs founded the city of Tenochtitlan it was a small swampy island in Lake Texcoco in the Valley of Mexico. They faced many challenges such as creating strong foundations for their buildings, bringing clean water to the city, connecting their city to the mainland, protecting it against floods, and producing food for its rising population.


Despite these challenges the Aztecs build one of the greatest cities of the time. At its peak, Tenochtitlan was the largest city in the Pre-Columbian Americas. It covered an estimated area of 4 l/2 square miles and had an estimated population between 200,000 and 300,000 which was twice the population of London or Rome at the time.

When the Spanish arrived at Tenochtitlan they were so mesmerized by its streets, causeways, canals, aqueducts, marketplaces, palaces, and temples that they doubted whether it was real or whether it was just a hallucination.

A view of the pyramids today which were built by the Aztecs and which are visited by throngs of modern day people.


#3 THE AZTECS BUILT ONE OF THE LARGEST AND MOST POWERFUL EMPIRES IN MESOAMERICA


The Mexica founded the city of Tenochtitlan in 1325 AD. Initially it allied with and paid tribute to Azcapotzalco, the capital city of the Tepanec empire. In 1426 the Azcapotzalco king, however, arranged the assassination of the Mexica ruler. The following year Tenochtitlan allied with the city-states of Texcoco, Tlacopan, and Huexotzinco to wage war against Azcapotzalco. This alliance was to become known as the TRIPLE ALLIANCE.

At its height the Triple Alliance controlled most of central Mexico as well as other territories. It covered 80,000 square miles and contained 25 million people in almost 500 towns and cities. It was one of the largest and most powerful empires in the history of Mesoamerica. 


#4 THE AZTEC EMPIRE WAS AN INFORMAL EMPIRE WHICH RULED BY INDIRECT MEANS

Unlike European empires, the Aztec Empire ruled by indirect means and it did not claim supreme authority over the tributary provinces. The Aztecs left the local rulers of the conquered city states in power as long as they agreed to pay semi-annual tribute and supplied military forces to wage war when needed by the empire. There were two types of provinces in the empire: strategic provinces which aided the Aztec state with mutual consent and tributary provinces in which the obligations were mandatory rather than consensual.

Page from Codex Mendoza which shows the tributes the towns were required to pay to the Aztec empire.


#5 THE AZTEC EMPEROR WAS KNOWN AS THE HUEY TLATOANI OR "THE ONE WHO SPEAKS"

Image of a Huey Tlatoani, the Mexica ruler of the Aztec Empire, who governed from Tenochtitlan. 


A ruler in the Aztec empire was called Tlatoani or “the one who speaks." The city-states of the Aztec empire each had their own Tlatoani. The Mexica ruler of the Aztec Empire who governed from Tenochtitlan was called Huey Tlatoani, the great speaker. The management of tribute, war, diplomacy, and expansion were all under the purview of the Huey Tlatoani.  This was one powerful Aztec dude!  

Image of Cihuacoatl or “female twin” who governed the city of Tenochtitlan.


While Huey Tlatoani was the ultimate authority and leader of the state there was also a ruler called Cihuacoatl (“female twin”) whose primary role was to govern the city of Tenochtitlan. The Cihuacoatl was always a close relative of the Huey Tlatoani.  The Aztec ruler shared his heavy job load with a woman which I find very interesting. 

An image of a modern day female Aztec celebrating her heritage.


#6 PERHAPS THE GREATEST AZTEC EMPEROR WAS AHUITZOTL

Image of Ahuitzotl who many consider the greatest military leader of Mesoamerica.

There were a total of eleven Huey Tlatoanis during the 145 year reign of the Aztec Empire. Acamapichtli founded the Aztec imperial dynasty in 1375. Their fourth emperor Itzcoatl (r.1428-1440) defeated the Tepanec empire and laid the foundation of the Aztec's Triple Alliance. 


The Aztec Empire expanded rapidly under the leadership of their eighth ruler Ahuitzotl (r.1486-1502) who is considered by many as the greatest military leader of Mesoamerica. His conquests opened up routes to the coastal areas leading to expansion of trade and prosperity and he also oversaw many construction projects.





Depiction of Ahuitzotl and his Aztec Empire which was a golden era for the empire.


Ahuitzotl was succeeded by Moctezuma I (r.1440-1469) who consolidated the empire and organized the construction of the famous double aqueduct which supplied Tenochtitlan with fresh water. 

A depiction of Moctezuma I and his gang of Aztec amigos.  


#7 THE SPANISH WERE INITIALLY WELCOMED BY THE AZTEC EMPEROR MOCTEZUMA II

Moctezuma II was a very handsome dude in my opinion if this rendering is anything like his real appearance.



Hernan Cortes, the Spanish conquistador, arrived at Yucatan in present day Mexico in early 1519. He led a contingent of 11 ships carrying around 630 men. He used the strategy of pitting native people against each other to conquer the region. After defeating the Tlaxacan and Cholula warriors by allying with other natives he reached Tenochtitlan (modern day Mexico City) on November 8, 1519.


The Aztec king of Tenochtitlan, Moctezuma II, welcomed Cortes and allowed him to stay in his city. After about six weeks, however, Cortes used an incident in which two Spaniards were killed as a pretext to take Moctezuma hostage. Cortes then ruled the city indirectly for several months. 

Image of Hernan Cortes.


On May 20, 1520 the Spaniards under Pedro de Alvarado attacked unarmed Aztec nobles congregated at the Festival of Toxcatl, one of the most important festivals on the native religious calendar, and slaughtered thousands including much of the leadership of Tenochtitlan. This led to a revolt in Tenochtitlan in which Moctezuma II was killed and Hernan Cortes, the Spanish conquistador, and his men were forced to leave the city.

#8  MOST OF THE AZTEC POPULATION WAS WIPED OUT BY DISEASE FOLLOWING THE SPANISH CONQUEST

After the revolt in Tenochtitlan, a smallpox outbreak hit the city killing more than 50% of the region’s population. After allying with or defeating the cities under Aztec control, Cortes began a siege of Tenochtitlan a year later. In May 1591 he attacked the city with 600 Spaniards and more than 50,000 warriors of native tribes. After a hard fought battle, Tenochtitlan fell on August 13, 1521 with its emperor Cuauhtemoc being captured.

Subsequently, the Valley of Mexico was hit with two more epidemics, smallpox (1545–1548) and typhus (1576–1581), which wiped out more than 80% of the indigenous population of the region. 

Mexico City was built on the ruins of Tenochtitlan. A majority of modern day Mexicans are mestizos, a term used to describe a person of combined European and indigenous descent. The Nahuatl language is still spoken by around 1.5 million people, mostly in the mountainous regions of Mexico.

#9 CORTES WAS AIDED IN DEFEATING THE AZTECS BY A NATIVE WOMAN NAMED LA MALINCHE

Portrayal of La Malinche in a mural by famous Mexican artist Diego Rivera.


In April 1519 the Spanish defeated the natives of the Chontal Maya of Potonchan who in turn gave them twenty slave women among whom was a woman named La Malinche. She spoke two native languages, Mayan and Nahuatl. She soon learned Spanish and served as a translator for Cortes. Later, she became a mistress to Cortes and gave birth to his first son, Martin. 

La Malinche played a critical role in the Spanish conquest of the Aztec civilization. Apart from serving as an adviser and interpreter of Cortes, she played an important role in diplomacy helping the Spanish ally with the native tribes. Among other things, she warned Cortes of a native plan to destroy his small army leading to slaughter of the plotting tribe. 

A portrayal of Malinche, the all important interpreter, with Moctezuma and Cortes.

One source even says that Cortes himself said that after God, Malinche was the main reason for his success. Because of her the term “malinchist” applies to all those who feel an attraction to foreign cultures and disregard for their own national culture and has a very negative connotation even in contemporary Mexico.

Today La Malinche is seen by some as a woman caught in between two cultures and a mother of a new race while others regard her as a traitor who brought the end of her own civilization.

#10 AZTEC RELIGION WAS POLYTHEISTIC AND THEY ADOPTED GODS FROM OTHER CULTURES

The Aztec religion was polytheistic and involved a large and ever increasing pantheon of gods and goddesses. The Aztecs often adopted gods from different cultures and allowed them to be worshiped as part of their pantheon. The most important celestial entities in Aztec religion were the Sun, the Moon, and the planet Venus. 


Religion was a large part of Aztec culture with all levels of Aztec society having their own rituals and deities. The word for priest in Nahuatl was tlamacazqui which meant “giver of things.” His main duty was to make sure that the gods were given their due in the form of offerings, ceremonies and sacrifices.  The following are some of the vast number of Aztec gods which I find particularly interesting and which I plan to share in another future blog posting.

The patron god of the Mexica tribe of Tenochtitlan was Huitzilopitchli, the sun God who represented war and sacrifice. 

Tlaloc, the supreme god of rain, of earthly fertility, and of water.

Quetzalcoatl (the feathered serpent) god who was associated with learning and 
wisdom. 


Thank you for joining me on this brief introduction to the history and culture of the Aztec.  I have enjoyed learning more about this amazing culture and I hope you have also.  As you have probably realized by now, the Aztec fascinate me and I guarantee that we are not yet finished with this people.  Until then, wishing you well wherever your adventuress and travels take you.  Saludos,  Laura

 Trying on a replica of the headdress of Moctezuma II in Mexico City.

And a final thank you wearing my Aztec sun stone shirt.