The Wonderful Huasteca Potosina part 2 and Las Pozas

Our last two stops in the area were Las Posas, near Xilitla and Sotano De Las Huahuas (Basement of the Birds). This was a difficult day, mainly due to the heat, the humidity and hiking for farther and longer than either of us expected. The pay off was just barely worth it though at both sites.

Las Posas is an interdimensional portal of sorts and fascinating to say the least. We really didn't know what to expect from the social media pictures and website which really make it look awesome. There is definitely a tourist vibe on the main street leading up to the house that serves as the entrance to the 80 acre sculpture garden, but the wares and vendors were a welcomed part of the experience. It was built by the surrealist Edward James in the 60s creating a fusion between the organic and the artificial, between the jungle and concrete, which merges the two worlds into one. Supposedly after he acquired the land he had planted thousands of orchids that had died because of a frost the next year so he decided to do something more permanent. It's very popular and advanced tickets are required.

Our 1st misstep was taking a mid-afternoon tour. The heat and humidity, combined with ZERO wind was just sapping of our energy, but the place was so fantastic, it kinda balanced out. The sculptures are slightly in disrepair, as I assume, James's wishes were to let the sculptures fade with time, so some of the areas were not accessible as it was dangerous. They do have a special VIP tour that costs considerably more, but is recommended if a deeper and more personal journey is desired.

Our 2nd misstep was doing a non English tour. (Only 2 English tours per day are offered). I think to have more of a connection to the art, an explanation is needed at each of the structures. It's a timed tour, which they give plenty of, for photographs. Seeing the same people take the same photos at each of the places did get old. Check out my one peace sign Instagram photo that basically was making light of that fact. If we went again I would probably do the VIP tour and make sure it's in English.

Overall, it was a great experience, but we would do it differently if had the chance to go again. Next, we headed to Sotano De Las Huahuas to make it just in time for the millions of birds to dive back into the cave at sunset, munching on bugs along their way.

After being assigned our guide and paying the entrance fee, it was a steady uphill hike to the cave. This also was in the jungle, in the heat, in the humidity with no respite as there was no wind. The hike was fascinating though as the guide only spoke the native Mayan style dialect and Spanish. His family basically ran the place and we bought some passionfruit honey and a spicy pepino vinegar made by his family.  Along the way learned about their customs, native plants, animals and their way of life.

After a grueling, sweaty uphill battle, we arrived at the entrance and were told to be dead quiet. Though there were maybe 12 people around the entrance, the only sounds were birds chirping and the echoes of the wind vortexing in and out of this fascinating structure. This place definitely made you feel weird, as it's almost 1600 ft deep and 80 ft across. It's not for the faint of heart to go close to the edge. What a crazy landform! The sounds were so ethereal too. Definitely another interdimensional portal.