’23 Dec: Cholula, Mexico

Cynthia booked us a private tour of Puebla for today but she wasn’t feeling well so it was just me and the guide. Cholula is a neighbor town to the larger Puebla, about 25 minutes away by car. I spent three weeks in Puebla in 2018 and I’m a big fan so it was great to be there again.

Here’s the main church in the main square with our gorgeous bride and groom.

Earthquake! We were up here on the roof of the Museo Amparo when a 5.6 earthquake hit very near by. They made us stand around for 10-15 minutes while they inspected the building. I didn’t even feel it although everyone else had big eyes. I told the guide I live in LA and don’t get out of bed for less than 6.

Views from the roof. Churches!

Back at Cynthia’s, views from her balcony. WOW!

Heading out in the morning for what proved to be a perfectly lovely ride home. I might not have mentioned I had an empty middle seat both ways, both flights on time, and I was happy!

Below is a map showing 1) San Cristóbal de las Casas where Cynthia had lived happily for 2 years. 2) The Mérida area when we spent our Thanksgiving week vacation. 3) Cholula where Cynthia has relocated, to check out another part of Mexico for a while.

We enjoyed a walk around the Zona Arqueológica de Cholula. The tunnels inside the Great Pyramid were closed, and I didn’t want to walk/hike/slog all the way up to the church, but it was good fun anyway!

Below is a view of a model of the Great Pyramid of Cholula in the museum and what it looks like at the site. All the white steps of the pyramid in the model are still covered and also below ground level now. I hope you can see it in the pictures and get an idea of how huge it is.

After this interesting walk-about we went home for a rest, and then out in the evening to see the lights and have some food.

The church in the main square.

Churros!

The view from Cynthia’s living room, the main volcanoes of Cholula: Popocatépetl and Iztaccihuatl. Wow, what a view!

On the way, walking into town, we got an excellent view of the Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de los Remedios sitting atop the Great Pyramid of Cholula, largest pyramid by volume in the world, most of the structure now hidden below ground.

We walked into town for lunch at a nice restaurant and a stroll with plans to come back tomorrow at night to catch the holiday displays.

First thing we did? Called for an In Home MASSAGE. Wow, it was great!

And then Cynthia made us a big pot of pozole that was perfect, and even more perfect each successive day we ate it.

We’ve got some great video from this day’s drive – I have yet to figure out how to get it in here!