The bus ride here is a very pleasant 4 hour trip. The bus is air-conditioned to the point of needing a sweater or jacket. We had carefully checked out the day and night temps here before we left and brought our nylon sweat suits. Hope we will be warm enough this evening. Day time is 79 and nights are low of 56 so coming from 89 degree days and 70 degree nights, it’s cool here. Upon leaving the bus depot we hailed a cab and asked to go to the Zocolo, just like guide books and friends recommend. He looked at me like I had suggested a trip to mars. We next gave him the name of a hotel recommended, Hotel Alameda, he then requested we write it down. I hope he was hard of hearing as I know I pronounced the hotel right. He didn’t give us a great feeling of confidence as we started off hopefully for where we asked. Uruapan is a much larger city than I anticipated, but we reached our destination, got our room and all is well. Hotel comfortable, clean, good, but dated. We will miss our 1/2 acre bed back in Zihuatanejo.
We set out to explore the Zocolo and find a place for lunch. This part of town has myriad of stores, small stores, many wedding stores, a large market with tons of little stalls, but no what we would call restaurants that we saw. We did see many tiny restaurants and finally found one that advertised albondigas which we both like. Once inside it was long and narrow with tile walls and in came the loudest street singers I have ever heard. Couldn’t finish our order with the waitress until they left. The menu said they had Menudo which I like, but Greg if you are reading, this it sure isn’t like they serve at the Tienda in Bremerton. It was a thin broth with rice in the bottom. Should have had the albondigas. All that walking wore the Senor out so we went back to hotel for a siesta with plans to walk to the National Park in the morning.
After breakfast at the same café we had dinner we headed out to find the National Park. Street signs pointed the way and it was about a 10-15 minute walk up a steady incline through the oldest part of Uruapan, with interesting buildings and local shops.
The park is so beautiful it is magical. The Senor and I took over 50 pictures and didn’t delete a one. No mater where you look either waterfalls for plants, trees and flowers. I saw a poinsettia tree that was well over 6 ft tall with still a few red leaves. I will say no more about the park and just try to post a few pictures although the computer is really fighting me.
The Federales are here everywhere, there are at least 50-75 or more visible at all times around the zocolo. We walked behind one who carried a 9mm side arm, m16 rifle, and a m60 machine gun. But if you smile at them they will return your smile and I’ve even had one say Buenos Dias to me. We have noticed no bars and haven’t seen any real restaurants just cafes. Had to find a “Merza” to get a bottle of wine. Tomorrow Lake Patzcuaro.
Signing off KO
Zihuathyme 