About half the size of Bellingham, Coatapec is a breath of fresh air! With an elevation around 1,200 feet, the climate is quite tropical and cooler than Veracruz – yay! We are in the rainy season, but the rain has generally kept to late afternoon and evening. The morning temperatures are a humid 67 degrees, warming up to the high 70’s. Though quite tolerable, I tend to go out in the morning and return by 1 pm to spend the warmest part of the day indoors. Towards the evening, I go out again. Because I have rented a room without a kitchen, or even a fridge, these times coordinate with my meal times. The birds sing, the insects are active, stuff grows and life seems rich in Coatepec.
Looking towards the center square 
The kiosk in the middle of the square 
Families are out! 
Palacio Municipal 
Coatepec is surrounded by green hills!
I was in Veracruz for Independence Day – I thought that was it. But it is more like a week long celebration. Traditional song and dance are ways to celebrate the week. So, in Coatepec, I ran into the sweetest parade of dancers from 3 to 73 yeas of age – mostly women, but a fair number of men! They were all dressed in the traditional Veracruz outfit. There were dancers as far as the eye could see – around the block and down the street. Of course family members were huddled around with cameras and water supporting their dancer. As traditional Mexican dancing was one of the activities I enjoyed when I was young, this was a delight for me!
Green things grow well here – a bit like home, but warmer! I tried to walk to the Mirador on top of Cerro de las Culebras (Hill of the Snakes). The first four photos document that journey – close, but not to the top.
Then we move to examples of the lush flowering plants around Coatepec. I visited the Orchid Museum and learned more about the Orchid and it’s relevance in Mexican history and culture than I knew existed! After the museum I looked again at all the orchids nurtured in the central square. I also visited the Orchid festival and found beautiful examples of orchids in all varieties of colors. I’m infatuated with orchids now!
A beautiful pathway up! 
Another peak at the mirador 
The view on the way up 
The view of the fields around the Hill of Snakes 
Lush plants around town 
Beautiful hibiscus 
Bougainvillea! 
The Orchid Museum tour guide 
I can’t believe how small they come 
This one smelled amazing! 
And grows below the root ball! 
Orchids in center square 
from the Orchid Festival 
Another festival specimen 
My México Travels 
I wish your blog could come with scents and sounds as well as the beautiful photographs and interesting words. But then, if they did, who would ever travel? So glad you encountered the dancers in Coatapec! Lesley
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Hee hee – then it would be like the 4D movies they have here that include smells and movements! Yes, the dancers touched my heart. Many thanks Lesley!
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