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| Yellow streaks of dawn above Mexico’s Ixtaccihuatl seen from 17,000’ on the slopes of adjacent Popocatepetl. The two mountains outside Mexico City were revered by the Aztecs as gods. Popocatepetl was a great warrior betrothed to the maiden Ixtaccihuatl. While he was away in battle, his foes told her that he had died and the young girl died of grief. On his return Popocatepetl was heartbroken. He placed her on the high mountain outside the Valley of Mexico and then also took the form of a mountain, to stand guard beside her body for all eternity, the smoking volcano Popocatepetl. | ||||||
