Puebla and another adventure

Yesterday we caught the 12:30 pm bus to Puebla.  It takes hours, but the bus is comfortable and the countryside was varied.  We took a taxi from that giant bus station where we transferred buses on our way to Veracruz, to our small hotel near the Zocolo.  It is called El Hotelito. 

Entrance to our room

We settle in some and head for the Zocolo for dinner and a look around.  We spot the cathedral up ahead so know the Zocolo will come into sight soon.

Looking back at the cathedral dome

I love the architecture of these old buildings around the square.

In the morning we go find a laundry to get our clothes washed and come across what is now a museum, but was a temple and hospital.

Later back at the cathedral on the Zocolo.

You know the woven hats and little birds you see in Mexico and Hawaii that are woven from palm fronds?  Well, that gold filigree you see on the front of the Cathedral is woven from the fronds.   Amazing!!!

Inside

Outside some young girls ran up to us asking us where we were from because they were learning English at their university and they had to interview a tourist that spoke English.  (We have seen almost no Americans at all, here or in Veracruz.) of course, we agreed to be interviewed....they having trouble with the questions they had written and really not understanding the answers we were giving.  It was fun as Suzanne kept forgetting to answer in English and we having to help them understand our answers.  One girl video taped the interview.

A jacaranda tree in he square.......I love them!

Again I love all of the buildings.

We spent the afternoon walking through the artisan market looking at the beautiful pottery that this city is known for.  Opps, too bad, I forgot to take pictures, but the the stores were a riot of colors and full of beautiful people.

The cat park

After breakfast we went to explore a park that we had seen the evening before. When we walked by last night it seemed it seemed enticing, but a little creepy because it was wooded and dark.  Today it felt like a great place to wander out of the heat.  It was 4 pesos to get in (about 25 cents) and we knew there were cats there as we'd seen them the night before.  Turns out it is kind of a sanctuary for cats.  They are free to come and go, but they are fixed and fed.  The lady that was feeding them said she thought there were between 70 and 80 cats living in the park.

The grounds are well kept up, but worn.  There are hills, bridges, lots of ponds filled with fish, a baseball diamond, and beautiful rock work.  It feels away from the city and secluded and surene.

We walked around the city until afternoon.  Lots of old buildings which I love.

It is in the 80's here, hot and very humid and so returning to our hotel around 3 pm for a swim and relaxing felt wonderful.  Went out for dinner and more walking. No one can say we aren't getting our exercise!

Easter Sunday

We had a lazy day today.  Found a new little restaurant for breakfast and then came back to swim and sit by the pool.  In the afternoon we walked down to the Zocolo.  Not too many people yet, but as the evening approaches and the music starts the people will come.

The churches around the square

And the dancers

I took videos of some of the dancers, but they won't post to my blog so Suzanne says I can post one to my Facebook.  I have not tried that, but will give it a shot.

Saturday sightseeing...left early...returned late

Had an early breakfast at a little place we found several blocks from our hotel. Yum!!  We walked over to the waterfront and caught an early bus to an historic site, San Juan de Ulua.  It is surrounded by the cranes moving containers on and off ships and the modern harbor.  It was built by the Spaniards when they started the conquest of Mexico and the history of the place spans about 500 years.  It is actually 3 separate groups of buildings with water surrounding each one.  It was a garrison, a prison, has a palace inside.  It was occupied by the Spanish, the Mexicans, then the Americans, and finally by the Mexicans again.  It is incredible to me that this historical site sits in the middle of a modern, busy harbor.

We returned to the waterfront near the aquarium and then went by bus to a town south of Veracruz called Mandinga for lunch.

Then went out on a launch into the lagoon.

Returned to the waterfront around 6 pm and then walked back to our hotel.

Thursday evening and Friday in Veracruz

We are getting our walking in.  Our hotel is a long, long walk from the Zocolo (main square) or the waterfront.  

But it has a pool to cool off in.

After we arrived and got settled, we walked to the zocolo and ate dinner near the plaza where we could see all of the people going by, hear the music drifting to us from many directions, and smelling the wonderful food.  

The next morning we found a little neighborhood place for breakfast and then walked to the waterfront to walk the piers and along the beach.  It is Holy Week and so Veracruz is crowded with people from all over.  As we meandered toward the water, a little procession passed by.

A working port for sure

Crowded beaches with bands playing.  It is like many beach cities during Easter break.

We ate cups of fruit with chili dribbled on them

We went to the aquarium which was so crowded I couldn't believe it.

We rode a double decker bus around the city.

And we walked the Malecon way after dark.  Lots of friendly people, lots of families.  

A full day!  We must have walked 10 or 12 miles.