 |
| Anais and Marie, hospital in Puebla |
Classes at the school were proceeding well, the staff friendly and helpful, the other students, all from across the world, generally fun to be with. Marie and I were in two different classes, hers a bit more advanced - she is good at languages. Unfortunately for me I began developing a most uncomfortable skin rash all over my body after the fourth day and, accompanied by my young guide, went to see a nearby clinic recommended by the school. What the doctor prescribed didn't seem to work so that Friday, after getting in touch with Anais, she drove into town and picked us up. We all went together to see her own doctor in a fancy, new hospital in the city. My affliction was similar to Grover's disease, common in the family, and I came away from the hospital with prescriptions for a cream, and two different types of medicine. As it was the weekend we thought it best to give it a few days and see if things improved. Rather than sitting around Marie and I decided to do some more exploring of the city, taking a Turibus on Saturday for a few hours tour of the most popular 'tourist' spots. We stopped by the
Fuerte de Loreto for 15 minutes and wandered down by a small lake, the
Lago de la Concordia. for a great panoramic view of the city. The fort, one of two in the city, was involved in the defense of Puebla at the battle of Cinco de Mayo in 1862 but we didn't have time to explore it or the museum. We passed by the beautiful 17th century parish church of San
José, the facade tiled in the typical Pueblan classic style, as well as different markets we made note of to return to on Sunday, beautiful church after church and finally back to the city's cathedral.
 |
| Fuerte de Loreto, Puebla |
 |
| near the El Lago de la Concordia |
 |
| Turibus, near Fuerte de Loreto |
 |
| guitar player, Puebla |
 |
| church of San José |
The next day we wandered down to the market area and dropped in to a shop (Talavera Armando Galeria) displaying
talavera pieces, including one large C
atrina (an elegantly dressed skeleton figure, used as a symbol of the Day of the Dead (Dia de los Muertos) celebration in Mexico. We decided to purchase and have shipped back to Canada. Unfortunately it was damaged beyond repair in transit and, with promises by the Galleria to have it replaced, now wait anxiously again for it's arrival here.
Talavera pottery is a Mexican and Spanish pottery tradition named after Talevera de la Reina in Spain. The Mexican type is a tin-glazed earthenware with a white base glaze coming from the town of Pablo del Monte in Tlaxcala and, of course Puebla, where we saw it almost everywhere, in shops and adorning buildings and churches. Production of this pottery goes back to the 16th century and is usually only decorated in blue, but yellow, black, green, red and orange are now being used. Our Catrina had all of these colors and more.
 |
| our Catrina, Talavera Armando Galeria, Puebla |
 |
| across from the Zocalo |
 |
| eating a non-traditional lunch at VIPs, Puebla |
 |
| Marie and Catrinas, Puebla |
Afterwards we went over to the crowded and amazing
Callejon de los Sapos (Alley of the Frogs), where we found vendors crowded together selling everything one might think at a typical flea market and more. We bought some
talavera numbers to put on the front door of the house, a fridge magnet and an amazing colorful tablecloth, marveling at the prices and selection of everything imaginable. We also walked down to the closest food market, the Mercado de Sabores Poblanos, a farmers market that sold everything from fresh fish to vegetables and fruit that we could only dream about during our long, cold winters. That night strolling about we found a small booth run by an elderly Mexican woman that, although probably not up to Canadian standards, smelled inviting so we decided to take a chance and order. She was cooking the local Pueblan delicacy recommended by César, the
cemita, a Mexican sandwich made with a bread roll filled with fried meat and fillings of sliced avocado, white cheese, onions, the herb
papalo and red sauce
(salsa roja). It was quite tasty and typical of the many local food vendors you saw on every corner. But the next day there was little change in my condition and we decided it best I return to Canada and see a doctor in Montreal as soon as possible. Leaving Marie alone in Puebla was difficult but thankfully she had Anais close by and had befriended a professor at the university that provided her company and guidance, was doing well in classes and was looking forward to travelling about the area still. I had a ride to Mexico City provided by the school and the next day was driven to the airport by Cesar to catch an early flight home....and now Marie will take over and relate her experiences for the next two weeks.
gws
 |
| Artisan market |
 |
| buying figs, market, Puebla |
 |
| eating cemitas at local food stall, Puebla |
 |
| fountain in front of Teatro Principal, Puebla |
 |
| Barrio del Arista, Puebla |
