More Adventures in Patzcuaro

Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2015--Patzcuaro

We slept late this morning.  Then we did trip planning before leaving the hotel.  We decided to change the order of our itinerary.  Instead of trying to go to Taxco, then Cuernavaca, then Mexico City, we decided it would be easier to go first to Mexico City.  Then we can go to Taxco and finally to Cuernavaca from which there are buses to the airport in Mexico City every 30 minutes meaning we will not have to return to Mexico City for a final night.  Due to that change, we researched hotels and made a reservation for one in Mexico City beginning Friday and staying until next Wednesday.

Then we were off to explore Patzcuaro some more.  The city was still active today with its huge market and all the special market stalls just for the holiday gift-giving season.  We found a small restaurant on our way to see the main church in town and had breakfast there--an egg and ham torta which was delicious and inexpensive (about $1.25).

The Basilica of Our Lady of Health is not on one of the plazas as the main churches often are in Mexico.  Instead, it is a long block away and on top of a hill.  It's a beautiful church that is surrounded by its own colonial neighborhood.

From the church, we walked to Lake Patzcuaro.  We sat beside the lake at the point where water taxis come and go taking people between here and the towns and villages that are located around the lake.  The waterfront is lined with restaurants and souvenir shops.  It's quiet and pleasant.  We sat  and enjoyed the atmosphere for some time.  As we left, we passed up the free offer of a tiny whole fried fish--the WHOLE thing.

We took a combi back to town--a small mini-van that takes paying riders.  Then we explored the side streets of town that we had not yet seen.  On the way, we met George who talked to us for a while.  He went to the US when he was 9 and speaks English well.  However, he got into trouble and was deported back to Mexico 2 1/2 years ago with a 10-year sentence before he can return without being sent to jail.  He seems like a nice man today.  Our guess is that he got into a gang or the wrong crowd.  He was on a corner with a small cart selling coconut milk.

As we approached the Plaza Grande, there were long lines of people.  We went closer to see what was happening.  Long, straight versions of kings cakes (to celebrate the arrival of the 3 Kings) were being placed in two rows all around edge of the central fountain, and the people were waiting in line for a piece of cake and a glass of hot chocolate.  

Because there were no benches there, we went to Plaza Chico to sit and watch people for a while.  When we headed back to Plaza Grande, the last pieces of cake were being given out with people still in the lines and being turned away.  But then we saw that there were very long lines on the side of the plaza leading to the front of the city offices.  We went closer to see what was happening there.  They were giving each child a plastic air-filled ball and a small packet.  There was a choice of two packets--one holding several mini-cars and the other filled with lots of small items that were not distinguishable from our view.  Many of the families in line looked to be very poor, and we speculated that these gifts may be the only ones their children will get to celebrate 3 Kings Day today.

Many children in the areas we walked though, however, did have nice gifts they had received last night/this morning--remote-controlled cars, dolls, scooters, pump water guns, soccer balls, etc.  Today was still a big shopping day, however.  Maybe it was for those seeking bargains.

Before returning to our hotel, we stopped at one of the ice cream carts on Plaza Grande.  We each got two flavors in a cup.  I got coconut-pineapple and chocolate, and Wes got strawberry and chocolate.  The coconut-pineapple and the strawberry were sherbets.  The chocolate was a thick milk-based ice cream and really delicious!  The milk ice creams are one of the famous treats from Patzcuaro.

We had one final surprise as we left to return to our hotel.  There was ANOTHER 3 Kings parade happening.  These kings were riding horses and were in simpler costumes than those of last night.  But there were big crowds along the street to see them and they were followed by a float with a live manger scene.