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05/31/06 - Puebla, MX Enjoying finally being somewhere different in Mexico for the first time in almost a year |
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After an uneventful 5 hour drive from SMA to Puebla on Tuesday (2 hours of which was spent driving around the outskirts of Mexico City), we arrived at the new and modern NH Hotel just 2 blocks from the zócalo (main plaza). First impressions of Puebla were that it is more like an old American town than anywhere we've been in Mexico. The streets and sidewalks are wide, and many of the buildings are reminiscent of the American South, especially New Orleans. After being in San Miguel, it's a pleasure walking around the pretty and un-touristy historic center, especially with its flat, wide sidewalks and the cooler weather. Puebla, a 500 year old Spanish colonial city, has also seemed to stay more Spanish than many places we've been. It's famous for talavera tile and pottery, and while we've seen some beautiful and unique designs here, the prices are anywhere from 5 to 10 times as high as the talavera pottery made in Dolores Hidalgo just 30 minutes from San Miguel. We think perhaps they're giving us the 'blue-eye' price that us gringos are sometimes quoted. We're satisfying ourselves checking out the shops, and checking out the pretty and interesting buildings with tiled facades and churches tiled domes, reminding us of architecture in Sevilla, Spain.
After a trip to the stylish & modern (yet tiny) rooftop pool, we ended yesterday with a trip out to Restaurante Teclas, where we enjoyed tasty food and drinks in the stylish & modern restaurant while watching the thunderstorm from our window seat. Being the only customers, the service was excellent, and included a complimentary after dinner 'Placita", a delicious Poblano (i.e. made in Puebla) liquor that tastes like liquid carmel.
Today was slow and less eventful, as Caroline hasn't been feeling her best. The highlight was definitely the Amparo Museum, a beautifully designed place with a very impressive collection of pre-historic art and artifacts, as well as a colonial period display and some modern art. The whole museum was done wonderfully, and anyone who ends up in Puebla has to check it out. Scott also went on a Poblano cuisine tasting spree, trying such local creations as árabe tacos (in pita-like tortillas), mole, and a chocolate filled churro. The plan is to head out to Oaxaca tomorrow, another 4 hours or so south from Puebla. |
The lightning at night gives the sky a purple color, which is a beautiful backdrop for the plaza & cathedral |
| Time for a Road Trip | |
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05/29/06 - San Miguel de Allende, MX We're heading south to Puebla and Oaxaca |
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After spending two weeks back in SMA, we decided it's time for us to get out of town again! We've been wanting to go visit the city of Oaxaca for some time now, and figured that this would be a good time for us to get out of town - while we're waiting for our carpenter, iron worker(s), and for the time when we can start the renewal of our migración documentation. Tomorrow morning, we'll head out for a five-night trip, stopping for two nights in Puebla (about the half-way point five hours from SMA) on the way down. Oaxaca has a larger indigenous population than most of Mexico, with less Spanish blood than most other places we've visited. For this reason, it's known for a more regional cuisine, and famous for its interesting handicrafts and rugs. We hope to buy a little of all of these things while we're there. |
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