Puebla

I'm going to skip ahead to the next phase of the February trip when we stopped in Puebla. We intended to explore the ruins at Xochitecatl Cacaxtla, but they were closed for renovation. Of course we didn't learn this until we had made the bus trip out to the ruins. We wandered around, took another bus to Tlaxcala where we had lunch on the zocalo and then took a slow bus trip back to Puebla. Not all days can be Chiripa days.

A "must-do" shopping experience in Puebla is the artisan market. It's close to the center of town and open late. One of our favorite stops is at Casa de las Artesanias, the shop of Miguel Paredes (Interior del Mercado, El Parian). He carries many fun things from all over Mexico, but his specialty is Day of the Dead figures and nichos (little boxes with scenes inside). Next time we will visit his workshop where they make the figures. In the photo he is holding a bass player. Miguel is open to suggestions for new figures and scenes. Send us your ideas and we'll pass them on.



Of course, Puebla is famous for its talavera pottery. We like the decorative plates that have a raised glaze. Most of the talavera that we carry in Chiripa is made in Dolores Hidalgo in Guanajuato (like this covered plate). Some will say it is not "true" talavera, but it is very affordable and popular with our customers.

For those of you waiting for news on the truck, it was delayed in Texas and is just leaving there today. We're hoping to see it on Wednesday, April 30.