Popo & Izta

I am only going to spell these out once, so pay attention. Popocatepetl (5462 m) and Iztaccihuatl (5220 m) are the second and third highest peaks in Mexico and we passed them on the way to Puebla. Only one of them, Popo, is an active volcano but I swear I see steam coming from both today. I pulled over to get a shot of both of them in the same frame. Popo is in the foreground and the one in the background, through the haze, is Izta.

Legend has it that Popo was a warrior who fell ion love with Izta, the emperor’s daughter. The story goes on to say that Izta died of grief when Popo went off to war and she received a false report of his death. Upon his safe return, Popo created the two mountains, laid her body on the peak of one where from a certain angle, the form of a reclining woman is clearly visible. Popo then stood on the other peak holding her funeral torch for eternity. His torch smokes to this day.