Patzcuaro Life

Thought I´d throw out another update while I have computer access!

We left Morelia this morning and were a bit haggard as there was a motorbike rally in the city and they were driving up and down the streets most of the night. I think it finally got quiet about 3:30am this morning!

We enjoyed a nice night out and Andreas was surprised to see how many families are out, just walking and enjoying the park. The park area by the cathedral had speakers in the trees so as you walked around, you could hear music! So lovely!

Driving west towards Patzcuaro, we learned the downside of driving verses taking the bus...the getting lost and frustrated factor!!! GRRRR....being tired didn´t help much either. I think we drove the same patch of highway about 3 times looking for the right turn off. There are so many different little places to visit that we learned to look for the route number verses the name of the place for the correct turn off! Once we arrived in Patzcuaro, we were TOTALLY overwhelmed by how many people are here (and still are)...there is some kind of religious festival going on right now and the town is PACKED.

We busted out of town and took a 3 hour drive around Lake Patzcuaro and visited some archaeological sites dating from pre-hispanic times. They had flat topped pyramid structures and it blows one´s mind how they manage to get the side stairs so flat just using pieces of rock!

Along the way, many good sights and chuckles.....so many speed bumps, herding cows through the middle of town (more than one town I might add!), another town seemingly over-run by horses who seemed to think they owned the road, witnessing a bus breaking down ironically as it rolled into the gas station and two drunk cowboys (must have gone into town for a good time!). One had a buddy to help him walk, the other stumbled off a local bus, almost got hit by a car, and then fell down in the middle of the road (we had to drive around him). Thank goodness for him, it was a pretty rural, sleepy road!

We came back to Patzcuaro, secured a hotel room, rested up and have been out exploring the night life here...which is very lively. There is a live band in the main square, loads of foot and car traffic and great local food stands and artists displaying their work. Andreas had his first authentic taco experience this evening and was so excited he went back for more! They are only filled with beef (looks like ground beef..but what is it really??haha), onions and cilantro. We added some blow your mouth off salsa and some very liquid avocado. YUM! The tortillas are about the size of the palm of your hand so when we tell you that we both ate 5 each, please reserve your judgment!!

Off to hike a volcano tomorrow and will end up back in Troncones for the rest of our trip.