UNESCO - Agave Landscape, Mexico

A wonderful surprise during my last year's absence, one of quite a few from dear Bryon who went to Mexico in the spring - Santiago de Tequila is a Mexican town and municipality located in the state of Jalisco about 60 km from the city of Guadalajara, best known as being the birthplace of the drink that bears its name.

As for the WHS, it is a 34,658 ha site, between the foothills of the Tequila Volcano and the deep valley of the Rio Grande River; part of an expansive landscape of blue agave, shaped by the culture of the plant used since the 16th century to produce tequila spirit. The area encloses a living, working landscape of blue agave fields and the urban settlements of Tequila, Arenal, and Amatitan with large distilleries where the agave ‘pineapple' is fermented and distilled.

And oh such great stamps, thanks so much B.! Needless to say I feel so guilty now for hardly sending anything in the last year, I hope to compensate for that some time soon...

UNESCO - Pre-Hispanic City of Chichen-Itza, Mexico

This sacred site was one of the greatest Mayan centres of the Yucatán peninsula. Throughout its nearly 1,000-year history, different peoples have left their mark on the city. The Maya and Toltec vision of the world and the universe is revealed in their stone monuments and artistic works. The fusion of Mayan construction techniques with new elements from central Mexico make Chichen-Itza one of the most important examples of the Mayan-Toltec civilization in Yucatán. Several buildings have survived, such as the Warriors’ Temple, El Castillo and the circular observatory known as El Caracol.

Sent more than three years ago, gracias to Melissa :)

The ship I was on went to Mexico a year ago, in one port in Yucatan called Progreso. Two of my colleagues got the tours to Chichen Itza/Uxmal, I went to a small site called...uhm...can't remember :D After that I only had time to hang out in the port area, which was a line of souvenir shops, some of which had nice postcards but stamps were nowhere in sight.

The Arches Of Guadalajara, Mexico

Los Arcos de Guadalajara were erected as entrance to the city following the inauguration of the Mexico-Morelia-Guadalajara highway in 1938. Each arch, built in neoclassical style, is 14 meters high and 8 meters wide.

This is one of the few swaps I arranged via Interpals site, many months ago while I was still active there - gracias to Adriana.

UNESCO - Pre-Hispanic Town Of Uxmal, Mexico

The Mayan town of Uxmal, in Yucatán, was founded c. A.D. 700 and had some 25,000 inhabitants. The layout of the buildings, which date from between 700 and 1000, reveals a knowledge of astronomy. The Pyramid of the Soothsayer, as the Spaniards called it, dominates the ceremonial centre, which has well-designed buildings decorated with a profusion of symbolic motifs and sculptures depicting Chaac, the god of rain. 

Uxmal is located in the Puuc region of Mexico and was one of the largest cities on the Yucatán Peninsula. The name Uxmal means 'thrice-built' in the Mayan language, referring to the many layers of construction of its most imposing structure. The Pyramid is approximately 35-meters tall, as the measurements seem to be a matter of some kind of dispute. Nevertheless, it looks awe-inspiring, and I envy Brigitte on seeing it! 

UNESCO - Pre-Hispanic City Of Palenque, Mexico

A prime example of a Mayan sanctuary of the classical period, Palenque was at its height between AD 500 and 700, when its influence extended throughout the basin of the Usumacinta River. The elegance and craftsmanship of the buildings, as well as the lightness of the sculpted reliefs with their Mayan mythological themes, attest to the creative genius of this civilization.

Danke Brigitte...who went on holiday to Mexico (oh so jealous!), and sent me cards that took a year (!) to arrive. You know, better late than never..!

UNESCO - Ciudad Universitaria, Mexico

 

The full name of this Unesco site is Central University City Campus of the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), and is an ensemble of buildings, sports facilities and open spaces built from 1949 to 1952 by more than 60 architects, engineers and artists. This postcard shows the Central Library -the outside of the library building is covered with various murals, which were painted by Juan O'Gorman; the inside holds one of the largest collections in Mexico.

Great addition to my collection and even greater stamps, thanks so much Els! :))

UNESCO - Historic Town Of Guanajuato And Adjacent Mines, Mexico

 

Founded by the Spanish in the early 16th century, Guanajuato became the world's leading silver-extraction centre in the 18th century. This past can be seen in its 'subterranean streets' and the 'Boca del Inferno', a mineshaft that plunges a breathtaking 600 m. The town's fine Baroque and neoclassical buildings, resulting from the prosperity of the mines, have influenced buildings throughout central Mexico. The churches of La Compañía and La Valenciana are considered to be among the most beautiful examples of Baroque architecture in Central and South America.

So great to have this wonderful view in my collection, gracias Monica! :))

UNESCO - Xochimilco, Mexico

The full name of the Unesco WHS site is Historic Centre Of Mexico And Xochimilco - and dear Ana insured that I receive postcards that represent both parts :) As the official Unesco web-site explains: Xochimilco lies 28 km south of Mexico City. With its network of canals and artificial islands, it testifies to the efforts of the Aztec people to build a habitat in the midst of an unfavourable environment. Its characteristic urban and rural structures, built since the 16th century and during the colonial period; have been preserved in an exceptional manner.

As I have been entertaining myself lately with the thoughts of going to Mexico and Central America, I thought to give myself a little reminder of how awesome the area is :) and maybe then I can finally learn spanish! Third time lucky they say...Gracias bossita!

Arriero, Mexico

Arriero is a muleteer, who still uses donkeys and horses for carrying his merchandise. One of those perfect donkey cards that show the whole setting - I sure do hope these fellows are treated with respect that they deserve though...A big gracias to Irma :))

UNESCO - El Palacio De Bellas Artes, Mexico City, Mexico

A brilliant surprise from one of my dearest postcrossing buddies - Ana went on a holiday to Mexico and managed to hide it until the card arrived! I was never able to make such a surprise heh, i am too much of a blabbermouth :/

The beautiful Palacio de Bellas Artes is part of Historic Centre of Mexico City and Xochimilco Unesco site. It is the most important cultural center in Mexico City as well as the rest of the country. The palace has a mixture of a number of architectural styles but it is principally Art Nouveau and Art Deco. Art Nouveau dominates the exterior, which was done by Adamo Boari, and the inside is dominated by Art Deco, which was completed by Federico Mariscal.

Surely something worth seeing, isn't it? Hvala bossita, drago mi je da si uživala na holideju!! :))

UNESCO - El Tajin, Pre-Hispanic City , Mexico

El Tajín is a pre-Columbian archaeological site which flourished from 600 to 1200 C.E. and was a part of the Classic Veracruz culture. This card shows best the Pyramid of the Niches, the first building of the complex to have been discovered in 1785 by chance. Alltogether 17 ballcourts have been discovered at this site and restored over time.

And how badly do I want to see them?!

Thank you Elsa for another great swap :)))

Frida Kahlo, Mexico

FRIDA KAHLO - Autorretrato con Bonito (1941)

I like art. I like receiving art postcards. I like receiving images of famous people. And i love Mexico! So really, there is nothing not to be liked about this card :=D

Frida Kahlo de Rivera was a Mexican painter best known for her self-portraits. In her homeland her work has been celebrated as emblematic of national and indigenous tradition, and by feminists for the depiction of the female experience and form. She had a turbulent life, what with marrying the famous artist Diego Rivera, and suffering from numerous illnesses. The movie Frida from 2002 was, I thought, very interesting to watch - both informative and emotional, and beautifully picturesque :)

Big thanks to els for this private swap :)