After the low valleys and ocean roads of Chiapas, we were thrilled to climb into the mountains and experience San Cristobal de las Casas. This gorgeous mountain town is was once named San Cristobal, but later added the last name of a monk (Bartoleme de las Casas) to honor his work in protecting the Mayans … More San Cristobal de las Casas, Agua Azul and silly roadblocks!
Chiapas made us feel nervous. I will not lie about this fact. When we traveled across Mexico many years ago, Chiapas was the only state where we encountered a roadblock, a detour and a feeling of uneasiness back then. It is also the state that generated a lot of negative press when we were living … More Chiapas state- A few nights in the capital, Tuxtla!
Hogar means home. Infantil means children. Hogar Infantil is a children’s home with an excellent record of success. It is not really an orphanage, as many of the children have family elsewhere. But it is a place where they are safe, cared for, fed and can form a community that feels like family. Without exception, … More Visiting an “orphanage” in Mexico- Hogar Infantil
One of the highlights of Oaxaca City for most visitors is the ruins of the Monte Alban archeological site. This is huge area located on a mountain overlooking the city. There are crowds of visitors there, because it is easy to get to. But most of the structures are closed to climbing and all of … More Ancient ruins and water frozen in time! Oaxaca part two.
This city is in an ideal climate zone. It is surrounded by lush green mountains that send gentle breezes through. It blessed with a light afternoon rain almost daily and a torrential downpour occasionally. Although the valley can also become very warm, we found it to be pleasant during our time there. And there is … More Oaxaca City, Oaxaca.
Somewhere in the jungly mountains of Mexico lies the line between the states of Veracruz and Oaxaca. I suppose there is a sign on a highway somewhere that marks that state-line. But we did not travel on a major highway. We drove smaller roads through villages clinging to hillsides and fighting back the growth of … More Mountain village scenes (Veracruz and Oaxaca)
Mexico has 31 States and one Federal District. Many of them are named the same as the capital city. Leaving the city of Puebla and driving through the state of Puebla, we crossed into the state of Veracruz on our way to the city of Veracruz. In Estado Veracruz we had our first encounters with … More Veracruz state- police encounters!
Puebla was a city that we enjoyed during our drive through Mexico back in the early 2000’s. When we passed by the VW plant we stopped at the gates and asked about a tour. We were told that it wasn’t possible. Then magically, within minutes, we were in a classy, open-air VW van being driven … More Puebla & Cholula- A church on top of a pyramid, on top of another pyramid.
The fifth largest city in the world seemed a little intimidating to us. But there were a few things there we wanted to see and do. Yet there were a few things we were afraid of: traffic, crime, expenses, traffic and crime (yes, I meant to repeat that! HAHAHAH). We had discussed heading into the … More Mexico City- a huge city, full of fun.
After many days in small villages we had accumulated some dirty laundry. So we made a plan to pass through Uruapan and drop the laundry. Then we would go to Tzaracua Falls for an overnight. When we passed back through Uruapan we would grab the clean laundry and then spend a couple of nights in … More Cascada de la Tzaracua (the trashy waterfall) and Ocotal Parque