Puebla Getaway

 

 

 Last week we took a bus trip to the city of Puebla. Puebla is the fourth largest city in Mexico, with a population of about 3.5 million. It's a manufacturing hub, with the second largest VW plant outside of Germany. It's also a center for education in Mexico, with many Universities. Founded in the early 16th century, it has a mix of colonial and baroque architecture. We enjoy the interesting museums, restaurants and galleries on our visits. It even has a Costco!We started our 5-1/2 hour bus trip in Oaxaxa at the ADO bus terminal. It costs about $80 US dollars for the 300 mile round trip express journey. The buses are clean and comfortable, show movies and tv shows along the way (Spanish language only). The trip goes through some beautiful and rugged landscapes, so I spent a lot of time looking at the scenery. (Don't believe the times on the map. No way)

ADO bus terminal, Oaxaca

The Bus

Barry and Jacque

Cactus as far as the eye can see

Once in Puebla, we had a good walk to stretch our legs after the long ride.

Rubber Chickens

Churros

Early Browser

 

 

At the Biblioteca Palafoxiana, oldest library in the Western hemisphere.
Neither of us found a book to read.

We had a great dinner, celebrating Judi's Birthday

Walking back to the hotel, we saw lot's of night life.

Bright and early the next day, following a hearty bowl of Chillaquilles for breakfast,

Chilaquilles

 we walked over to the Museo Amparo, which has a very good collection of pre-hispanic art and artifacts. Two powerful republican figures were prominent in their display cases:

Pre-hispanic Mitch

Pre-hispanic Don

Corn Dog?

Judi, Marc, Jacque, Barry on the roof of the museum

More eating, more walking, lot's offered plenty to see

It's a Union Job

Formal Wear

Non Formal Wear

Film Cameras Unite!

Just a little Cemita for a snack...

We took a leisurely walk to the Museo del Ferrocarril, the great rail museum.

They have a very nice selection of railcars, locomotives, bits and pieces of rail equipment and some nice photo exhibits.

Mail Car

Marc and Judi at the Mole museum.

 

 

We took a side trip to Cholula, just outside of Puebla, to visit a Talavera ceramics studio, and a quick visit to the local Zocalo

 

 

We visited the beautiful City Market, where fresh paella was being prepared in a giant pan

Live Lobsters from Maine. About $40 US per pound

Sushi Bar

 

 We went to the less beautiful, but much needed Costco for a bit of American style shopping, and of course a hot dog for lunch. In Mexico, you not only get mustard and onions, but Jalapenos as well.

We wandered a bit in the early evening, enjoying the city as the sun went down and the lights came on.

 

The following day it was back on the bus to Oaxaca. Saw some vendors working the traffic jam on the way out of town, and migrants heading north scattered here and there along the highway.