Puebla

Rita and Mike joined us for a very smooth trip from Puerto Escondido to Puebla.  We flew Aeromar to Mexico City and then boarded a luxury highway bus for the two-hour trip to Puebla, located approximately 100 kms southeast of the City.  It took about 45 minutes to get out of Greater Mexico City area and it’s 22 million people.

Each Rider Got Bottled Water and a Cookie

Our Bus was Right on Time

Wandering the Porticoes Surrounding the Zocalo

We arrived in Puebla right at the scheduled time and immediately jumped into a taxi to our hotel, the Meson Sacristia de la Compania.  It is a nine-room boutique old hotel located two blocks from the central zocalo.  Its claim to fame is it’s eclectic and numerous collection of antiques.  I am not sure how old the hotel is but I think the plumbing in our first room dates back to the beginnings of the city in the early 1500’s.

Meson Sacristia de la Compania

Rita On Her Street View Balcony

The Pink Courtyard Dining Area

Bathroom Door

Watch Your Head

The Spaniards created Puebla located approximately midway between the trade route between Mexico City and Veracruz on the Caribbean Sea.  Puebla has three rivers running through it and enough fertile land to supply agricultural products for the growing New Spain. The city was completely pre-planned and the grid system of roads makes it very easy to navigate through the historical core.

Modern day Puebla is one of the most affluent and cleanest cities in Mexico.  The affluence can be seen in the many high-end luxury cars on the city’s streets.  It is home to the largest Volkswagen plant outside of Germany.  It is also host to the multinational engineering firm ThyssenKrupp, Stanley Tools and Audi automobiles.

We just wandered around the first evening checking out the Zocalo at the city’s centre.  Restaurants line three sides of the beautiful park while the Cathedral Basilica of Puebla dominates the remaining side.  It has a very European feel to it.  The cathedral was started in the mid 1500’s but took two hundred years to complete.  Much of it is under reconstruction so it looks better at night.

We had dinner on the Zocalo.  We ordered the regions traditional dish of Chilies en Nogada.  Essentially, Poblano chilies stuffed with vegetables, pomegranate seeds, and covered in cream sauce. The green of the chili, the red of the seeds and the white sauce are supposed to represent the colours of the Mexican flag.  Glad we tried it but it won’t be my choice in the future.

Chilies en Nogada

The next day we took a stroll around the area.  After seeing the Zocalo in daylight we went to the Jose Maria Lafrague Historical Library.  The library is part of the University of Puebla and houses an important collection of books, documents and newspapers of cultural value to the country spanning the last four centuries.  This year the library celebrates its 371st year.

Zocalo

City Hall

Historical Library

We walked a few blocks to visit the Talavera Pottery works.  This city is famous for its dishware and artistic figurines.  I had never heard about it but recognized it when I saw it.  The proprietor took us on a tour of the works stropping to explain how they mix the black and white clays, form the pieces, kiln fire them, paint, and glaze.  Each piece is unique and hand crafted.

The Pottery was #1 on Rita's List

Talavera Pottery

Typical Colourful Street of Puebla

Shoe Store Stop of Course - Yes ... Shoes Were Bought

Getting tired, we took a “Hop On – Hop Off” bus tour of the city.  As usual, we didn’t hop off except to take pictures at a scheduled stop.

Active Volcano in Background - Popocatépetl

Lots of Street Art Everywhere

Day two saw us take a tour to Cholula on the outskirts of the city.  The purpose of the trip was to see the Great Pyramid of  Cholula (also known as “Tepanapa”.)  We also stopped along the way to see some incredibly ornate churches.  As usual, our emotions were mixed viewing these great Catholic churches and cathedrals.  They are beautiful to behold but one can’t stop thinking about the natives living in poverty as these great structures were built.

Anyone For Sweets

San Pedro Cholula

Appears to be a Church on a Hill

It is But Under the Hill

The Great Cholulu Pyramid

Still An Active Catholic Church on Top

When first set eyes on the pyramid (larger by volume than anything in Egypt) you have to look twice.  The only visible portion is at the base of a small mountain.  Legend states that when the Aztecs knew the Spanish were approaching the area (destroying pagan worship centres and killing indigenous people) they covered the pyramid with dirt and rocks.  The Spaniards didn’t notice but thought the hill was a great place for a Catholic Church. The church remains on top of the hill today and offers a great view of Puebla.  The pyramid went unnoticed for hundred of years and the base is now an active archaeological site.

We ended our day with a fine meal at a steak house.  The meal was perfect ending to a very interesting visit to Puebla.

We All Ordered Steak - Unbelievably Good!

Caesar Salad - Prepared Table Side

Great Chilean Wine

And of course Deborah asks for more food pics.

Street Meat

Churros

Chilies Relleno

Cream Filled

We rode the bus back to Mexico City Airport with Rita & Mike and said our good-byes.  They returned to Puerto Escondido while we flew to Leon and the took a long taxi ride the hill town of Guanajuato.