What a joy to meet them, on two separate flights, early on the morning of October 25th! After checking into our Air BnB we quickly found our way to the Avenida Paseo de la Reforma, where Día de los Muertos was gearing up with local art. We took a bus tour and wandered around in awe of the Metropolitan church of Mexico. Just as dark was approaching, and the rain building, we found a great place for dinner and hojaldres de crema! It felt so great having Kyler’s directional acumen and height to assist us in staying together and finding our way!
Bike tour to Colonia Coyocán: On Saturday, the 26th, while the Catrina’s were parading down la Reforma, we Ubered to a parking lot for our first Air BnB Experience. We met our guide, selected our helmets and hopped on bikes. He led us around the Coyocan district, through a few churches and parks, where we enjoyed atole and churros. He lead us into the Coyocan Market to a busy taquería for a tostada lunch – all you can eat and drink (fruit waters). We could not have done any of this on our own – grateful to have the tour!
Our tour ended at the Frida Kahlo home/museum where our tickets included not having to stand in line. The ofrenda was the first major one we got to see and it was amazing. Wandering around her home, viewing her paintings, and hearing about her life, I felt close to her and marveled at her spirit! We finished the day by exploring the Coyocan market and enjoying my first taste of the mayo covered elote – yummier than expected!
The big parade day! While preparations were made for the parade along la Reforma, we headed to Chapultepec Castle! Me, on foot, and the rest on rented electric scooters and bikes.
Gotta have cotton candy at a parade! 
Every Sunday morning cars have limited access to major roads, and 
people on wheels and feet have the right of way 
Chapultepec Castle 
The carriage of Emperor Maximillian and Empress Carlota 
The view down Reforma where the parade is happening! 
A lovely concert by the Orquesta Típica de la Ciudad de Mexico, one of this country’s oldest orquestras. 
Celebrating Eternity! 
We were making our way towards the Zocalo to see the ofrendas. The parade was happening to our left and the clouds became threatening. This is my last photo for the day, but our day was much longer. We never made it to the Zocalo, walked a total of 11 miles, through rain, thunder and lightening. Our purchased plastic bags, in addition to our two umbrellas, was not enough to keep us dry. We paired up and walked two by two, slowly making our way home. With laughter and good will we arrived home intact and drenched.
This morning we had to send Kyler to the airport so he could return to his academic world. The rest of us had a 14 hour adventure tour to Grutas de Tolantongo! I had wanted to spend some time here during my trip, but found it was too unpredictable to feel safe. So, we found an Air BnB Experience and took it! The three-hour drive up and back gave us a chance to talk with our amazing guide. One of his dream jobs is to be the Mexican president. He practiced his English and we explored culture, customs and people of both countries. On the way up we stopped in Itzmiquilpan where Aarón led us through the market, full of smells, to a great lunch spot! Arriving at the Grutas, we first went to the caves and tunnels, then the river! On the other side of the resort were the pools where we lounged and watched the sun sink into the hills. All of this water comes in hot from inside the mountain. On our way home, again in Itzmquilpan, we stopped along the roadway for dinner – our favorites are now tacos pastor!
Puebla! A long, but leisurely day, put us in Puebla, at our wonderful hotel with a pool. Our first night we could hear music, so we followed it and found a group of all ages practicing, what seemed to be, indigenous music and dance. What a treat. We returned to our room to find a lovely “Buenas Noches” treat, followed by an excellent night swim in the warm waters of the roof top pool – ahh! We kept a slower pace filled with wandering, shopping, eating, swimming, and ofrenda hunting. We took a disappointing Dia de los Muertos tour – but it got us into the graveyard where Carrie and I hung out with the calavera Catrina. We tried mescál (Carrie is not a fan), and found some calavera art that we liked.
Hotel Cartesiano entrance 
First night wanderings 
First night swim! 
A different night with rain! 
Early morning sunrise from our room 
The volcano Popocatepetl from the hotel balcony where we ate breakfast each day. 
Ahhh, always so inviting! 
A day swim! 
Popo is releasing steam! 
Carrie and I have custom made Talavera jewelry. We picked out a chip and they mounted it for us – I picked the bottom right, and Carrie picked the top left. 
A favorite, at our hotel 
At the local university BUAP 
one of the biggests 
In government building 
using sand and flowers 
Puebla doesn’t do the Coco thing in the cemetery – they just put flowers. 
We had a good time with Catrina! 
Our last night we wandered into this parade with decorated cars. 
A treat, but not sure what it all meant. 
This lovely quartet was playing classical music in the street!
My México Travels 
How lovely to see you and Carrie exuding happiness, glee, and sisterly affection! Kyler and Emerson are lucky to have enjoyed this experience with you…. Lesley
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More gorgeous pictures. Love the infinity pool with the cliff. Looks like you had a good visit from “home”. Oh, one way to measure how long you have been gone–the plant you gave me has a tendril that has grown 2 feet since you left!
Jennifer
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