I’m going to Veracruz in the morning, so here is a quicky post from Puebla before I go.
Puebla, about 100 Km southeast of Mexico City, is peaceful compared to Mexico City even though it has a population of almost 6 million. The atmosphere is much more mellow and doesn’t feel like it’s so big. The main thing to come here for is to look at the 18th and 19th century architecture which is at least as good as Mexico City’s. At least it seems so, probably because of the relative tranquility. I can’t say it’s been exciting. I think I’ll be seeing this over and over again. I took a few pictures, and here they are. As usual, most of the photo-worthy shot are around the historical center.
The first two are inside the cathedral. Yes, I know, there are going to be a lot of church pictures. They really are beautiful. I just have to not get too jaded. The pipe organ in the second one is lovely.
There’s usually a main plaza next to the cathedrals. They usually look like this. Here’s the arched covered restaurant row. Notice the other building. Puebla is full of this.
Here’s looking back along the other side of the plaza, with the side of the cathedral.
The cathedral and the plaza are about two blocks from where I’m staying. Just on the corner is this church, like, one block from the cathedral.
A block in the other direction is a very classy museum. I didn’t take pictures inside, but what is worth doing is gong to the coffee bar at the top and enjoying the view from there.
I spent four days here, walking around, looking at and inside the buildings. There’s not much to say about that. It was fairly chill, again, compared to Mexico City. There’s a long pedestrian street.
Down at the end of that is another church. There was a wedding gong on, and I watched that for a while. Nice place to get hitched.
That’s all I have to say about Puebla. The other thing you’re supposed to do when you are here is go to Cholula, which iws a suburb about 20 km from city center. There is a pyramid there which is of interest to archaeologists, though to the amateur it’s kind of boring. It’s still covered with 1800 years of dirt. The fun thing for archaeologists is the tunnel system underneath, which tourists can’t go in. The Spanish built a church on top.
For what it’s worth, here’s Cholula from that church.
That’s it, short and sweet. Tomorrow is Veracruz. I booked a room for three nights. From Lonely Planet, it looks like that may do it for Veracruz, though you never know what might be an attraction that keeps me there.
Be well, all of you.