Viva Mexico

Another week down, but not wasted. We soaked in big city life with a mix of political tensions and normal city life, saw more ruins dating back to 1000 b.c., and enjoyed the wonderful food- from cheese to homemade ice cream- that Oaxaca has to offer.

We then headed for a short stroll through Puebla, the site of the historically insignificant, but drunk American college student very significant Cinco de Mayo battle. (The battle was between Mexican and French soldiers. The French outnumbered the Mexican soldiers 600 to 200, but the Mexican soldiers won. However, the French would go on to occupy the city for the next 4 years. We have been told that Cinco de Mayo is celebrated as a day off of work in Mexico, but is rather insignificant on the whole, it was compared to Flag Day).

Finally we landed to Cuernavaca where we had the privelege of two local tour guides. Susie, who we know from Pullen and her husband Carlos, a native of Cuernavaca, showed us the sites, but most importantly they showed us the best places in town to eat local Mexican fare.

The Oaxacan sampler platter- 2 types of cheeses, golden taquitos, cecina (pork with a spice rub), beef strips, chile relleno, guacamole, tiny stuffed tortillas, fried pork rinds (chicharron), and fried grasshoppers (which were out of season and not on the plate, a major disappointment).


Tracy digs in to a Gordita in the Cuernavaca market.


If you go to Cuernavaca in search of the delicious gorditas, look around the corner from the pig head...


Taco con Cecina for breakfast. Large blue tortilla, covered in a thin slice of spicy pork with beans, cheese and cream. Absolutely delicious (oh, a note the giant cup of horchata).


Stewed lamb and goat being prepared in this wonderful kitchen in Guadalajara (since we are on a food kick).


Affter a filling breakfast of pork tacos, mushroom stuffed quesadillas and a stuffed tortilla full of beans and cheese, we took a strenuous hike to a pyramid in Tepoztlan. A stunning view, well worth the climb.
-A huge thanks to Susie and Carlos for their wonderful hospitality and for giving us their insider knowledge of Mexican cuisine and culture (Carlos recommends the pig eye tacos, though we did not get a chance to try them). THANKS!!!!