| The Virgin of Guadalupe |
| Mexico City, Mexico |
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| Far from the Zocolo, in a different region of Mexico City, pilgrims come to this modern Catholic Church, Mexico's holiest shrine, to celebrate a 450 year old miracle. |
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| Some pilgrims show their devotion by entering the church on their knees. I have been to other Catholic sites which recognize miracles, nothing comparable to this special place. |
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| Behind the church altar, literally wrapped in the Mexican flag, is the Virgin of Guadalupe. The Virgin Mary is believed to have left her image on an Indian's cloak, which is displayed for all to see. The Virgin of Guadalupe has become a symbol of Mexico itself. |
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| Here is an image of the Virgin Mary like no other in the world, inherently Mexican. The faithful gaze up at the Virgin of Guadalupe, while passing her on moving, level stairways designed to handle the crowds. |
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| There are no restrictions on photography, with video allowed, so I could leave the moving stairway, taking my time, trying to capture the best cloak and Virgin Mary image. |
| This was my finest close-up of the Virgin of Guadalupe. I had seen the image before, since Mexicans and Mexican-Americans often carry it on holidays, marches, and political demonstrations. But I knew nothing of its origin until this visit to the church in 1995. |
| If you have a high speed internet connection, watch the Intrepid Berkeley Explorer's free streaming video of this trip to Central America and Mexico, "Mayavision", by clicking on AdventurePics.com . |
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