Veracruz, city museum beach adventure

Today I woke early and went one of Veracruz's icons el Gran Cafe de la Parroquia where kind waiters patiently explained all the different types of eggs and frijoles to me, before I settled on rancheros. A quartet played live music. An expansive cafe full of jarochos clicking their glasses - a sign they want a refill was a perfect people watching venue. A man had his blood pressure taken, another his shoes shined. But soon I realised everyone was staring at me. In a kind sort of way I guess, but still, I appeared to be the entertainment.

I learned yesterday that there was no need to hide my Lonely Planet guide to Mexico, sunhat and sunscreen - it is obvious to everyone that I am not Mexican.

I went to the Museo de la ciudad where I learned all about Veracruz's past. It's where Hernan Cortes landed and ultimately took Mexico - i knew this already - but it went into lots of detail, lots of maps, photos and paraphenalia and it was free. I was the only person in there.

The beach is where the day really took off. I finally found my way there by bus (after having missed the stop by quite some way, the driver stopped a bus going back in that direction and made the driver wait for me to cross the road and told him to tell me where to get off). I thought I could have a rest but no, no sooner than I put my sarong down an old lady came over to offer me a drink from her SOL cart, courtesy of a group of guys sitting "over there". I accepted a beer, and then a "lesbian couple" ordered another for me. Bizarre. They then continued to send messages to me via anyone who passed by, mainly asking the Beach Tatoo man to kindly leave me alone so they could approach. The guys "over there" got in first. I managed to get rid of them with some 3-1 banter, the lesbian couple waited. Very orderly I thought. Quite British even.

VERACRUZ

The Baluarte de Santiago...the only bastion to remain.































The Lighthouse























Panuchos.

Veracruz, puerto.

Yes, I'm the only tourist.
Hotel Amparo....every jarocho I spoke to knew I'd be staying here...

Museo de antropologia, room in Hotel Century, lunch in mercado merced (note the Michelada's colour)

Bedroom in hotel century - I treated myself to a nice place for the first two nights.

















This is the michelada at mercado Merced

Finally learnt how to post pictures. This is at the museo de antropologia, set in a really nice woodlands. The bosque de Chapultepec.

Mexico City

So, 23 hours after leaving home I finally arrived at the lovely Hotel Century. I was so tired I felt physically sick and the room was swaying - like being v. drunk, except I really wasnt. Anyone ever experienced this?
Feel fine now.

This morning I went out and was promptly picked up by Luis, a sweet, but eventually very annoying man who wanted to take me to my destination (buying a bus ticket). So we walked for 45 mins to what was only a few streets away as he just wouldnt let me look at my map. Finally I got rid of him by telling him I couldnt go for lunch as was meeting my husband. I never thought I'd have to do that.

Any tips on how to get rid of nice but annoying Mexicans rather more promptly - please post!

Went to the museo de antropologia which was well worth the visit. And then had a michelada and a quesadilla in the mercado Merced- apparantly the largest market in Latin America. I shall confirm that. Trying to upload the pic. Mainly for Charlotte's benefit, but it's supposed to be like a shandy, but with fresh lemon juice....but this was red...and had chile salt around the edge.

Off to Veracruz tomorrow.

Timelines

Just so you know roughly where I'll be (as many of you have asked). I leave HROW for Mexico City on 26th May (ash cloud and BA strike permitting). I'll be in Cancun with KP 6-13th May. 20th June - 19th July volunteering in San Andres Iztapa in Guatemala. 4 September I'll be meeting Nirmal in Trujillo, Northern Peru. Other than that there are presently no fixed plans. But I'll finish in Brazil as I fly home from Rio.

Preparation - last days

Malaria tablets, or not? This is the question that's been on my mind for the last couple of months.