Puebla about two hours east of Mexico City is a bustling city. It is located in the shadow of Popocatepyl, Mexicos famous still active volcano. The town has given more than it's share to the culture of Mexico.
It's two most famous would have to be Talavera pottery & the dish Mole Poblano.
It boasts the largest zocalo or square in Mexico containing no less than 46 arches decorated in mosaics trimmed with the distinctive blue on white Talavera style. A great spot to hang out.
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Watching the people go by from the Zocalo is always a favourite as in Mexico most of the action takes place here. We were lucky enough to be there in May during a fiesta. Watching the participants kick up their heels dressed in their traditonal costumes was spectacular to say the least!
I also enjoyed watching the artisans make and hand paint their pottery in the open fronted galleries. The of course, you have the opportunity to buy that piece but without any sales pressure.
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I really like the atmosphere of the city. It was busy without being overly so and it had enough history with it's various colonial churches and nearby ruins of Cholula to keep you occupied.
Just wandering the neat streets with their beautifully kept facades trimmed with decorative tiles was another highlight for me.
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| Accommodations: |
We stayed in the centrally located and comfortable Hotel Imperial on 4 Oriente Norte 212 in the colonial centre.
About $22US a double with breakfast it was not bad value. Show your guide book and they normally give you a discount off their normal tariff. I don't think it matters which one just so long as you tell them they are listed! They also have a washing machine for guest use but for a modern girl like myself it was a manual monster!
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Any of the restaurants will serve the traditional Mole Poblano or Turkey served in a sauce of an intriguing mix of chocolate and chilli. It was invented by the local nuns for a Pope's visit many years ago. It's worth a try but not my personal favourite.
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The whole of the town centre is great to stroll around in. It is actually listed as a heritage city with UNESCO.
The Cathedral of our Lady of the Immaculate is known as one of the most beautiful in the country.
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Published on Saturday November 23th, 2002
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