Puebla

In Mexico it is common for a state and it’s major or central city to share the same name, for example Mexico state is home to Mexico City and Oaxaca state is home to the city of Oaxaca.  The state and major city of Puebla is no exception.  This can sometimes be a little confusing but for the most part the major cities and their surrounding towns and villages are typically the most frequented tourist destinations.

We began our visit to Puebla in the town of Tlatlauqui, several hours south of the city of Puebla and far removed from the usual tourist route.  This is the town that Carlos’ family is originally from and several of his aunts, uncles and cousins still reside here today.  We were fortunate enough to have arrived in time for the weekly Thursday market when the streets throughout the entire town are lined with rows of food stands and vendors selling everything from indigenous crafts to clothing and accessories. 

From Tlatlauqui we boarded a bus for central Puebla.  The city of Puebla is a popular tourist destination and rightly so.  There are more than a thousand colonial buildings in the historic center alone, many adorned with intricately designed ceramic tiles and painted in bright colors.  Known as the City of Angels, Puebla is home to more than 70 churches.  The central plaza, or Zocalo, links to several blocks of streets which are closed to traffic and perfect for strolling or shopping the local artisans’ markets. 

There is no shortage of entertainment in historic Puebla as balloon vendors, street musicians and clowns line the streets well into the evenings.  Restaurants, bars, hotels and outdoor cafes are plentiful.  Take a walk through the popular nightclub district and you’ll find yourself surrounded by club promoters and doormen offering up specials and attempting to usher you into their establishments.  One woman actually chased us across the street, but to no avail since we were planning a trip to Cholula early the next morning.

Located 10km west of Puebla is the town of Cholula.  Home to a private International University and the widest pyramid ever built, the small town of Cholula is a relaxing escape from neighboring Puebla and somehow manages to maintain all the draws of a big city including a diverse population, plenty to see and do and a lively nightlife fueled by the large student population.  

Piramide Tepanapa, now overgrown and topped by a church, is larger in volume than the largest pyramid in Egypt and the pyramids at Teotihuacan.  It is said that the Spanish built the church, or Santaurio de Nuestra Senora de los Remidios, atop the pyramid as a symbol of conquest.  There are a total of 39 churches in Cholula but the one built atop the pyramid was, in my opinion, the most impressive.  It was a difficult hike to the top but the view overlooking the town below was worth it.