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where gods are born" in the Nahuatl language. And it's a place that has weathered the centuries without giving up many of its secrets. It peaked in population around A.D. 450, when around 125,000 people called it home. But when the Aztecs came to the central Mexican highlands several centuries later, the place was deserted. The two largest structures in Teotihuacan are the Temple of the Sun and the Temple of Moon. Each is a stepped pyramid created by hundreds of thousands of hand-carved stone blocks assembled and cemented together. A wide thoroughfare called the Avenue of the Dead connects the massive stone structures and many smaller buildings. Built around the year A.D. 100, the Temple of the Sun stands more than 230 feet tall. You can reach the top by climbing hundreds of narrow stone steps—and, of course (as is her style), Sonja made that hike in heels. The second great cultural event for the international jury, joined by a number of good-natured locals including Fabrizio, Aleli, another MBC champion (and Aleli's husband) Salvador Benitez, and volunteer team leader Abel de Jesus Colmenero Zarate, among others, was a trip that no visit to Mexico City should be without (provided your time in the city includes a Friday night). We made our way across the bustling center of the city to the Arena Mexico for some lucha libre, or Mexican wrestling! The highly choreographed—er, I mean real!—wrestling matches included some great theatrics and audience participation, and took an honestly moving turn as a gold medalist from the London Paralympics took her place on stage, held her gleaming medal aloft, and received a lengthy standing ovation. Beers at the ring were served in giant now-banned-in-New-YorkCity-sized soda cups, and popcorn came with optional hot sauce. The crowd got revved up and rowdy while the action unfolded on stage between the masked wrestlers. But even though it was a scene of brute strength and acrobatic violence, the atmosphere was always good-natured—and even the Champions old and new celebrate together. From le , barista competitor Daniel Pastor; newly crowned Mexican Barista Champion Alejandro Escobar; two-time champion Fabrizio Sención Ramírez; and the new Mexican La e Art Champion Javier Gamboa. insults tend toward the boisterous more than biting (at least they are if your comprehension of Spanish is limited). The hospitality of the coffee community in Mexico is second to none, and the level of enthusiasm for their baristas, not only from the competitors, but the energetic audience, makes the Mexican Barista Championship an event worth traveling for. If you ever have the opportunity to attend, grab it—it's an experience worth savoring. N'S BARISTA NATIO UT EUROPEAN DEB RENEW TODAY! DON't MISS AN ISSUE! www.baristamagazine.com 38 barista magazine