Puebla...again

Even though this was our third time in Puebla, we did different things and still had a great time.  This time we stayed at Hotel Colonial, which was a hotel I wanted to stay at since the first visit.  Like most of the buildings in the old part of Puebla, they are old, therefore they have a uniqueness to them.  Our room was big had big windows that open to the main street.  We loved the view from the top of the hotel, including the tops of many of the churches in Puebla and of the Popo volcano.

Inside the cathedral...finally

After making ourselves at home, we walked around the streets of Puebla.  We went to the centro and we finally got a chance to go inside the huge cathedral.  The one that's on one of the Mexican bills.

Hanging out with???

Future missionaries

Later that night we met up with one of Newel's missionary companions and his family...Pimentel.  We invited them out to dinner and had a great visit with them.  By this time our children were getting tired, so we called it a night.
After we got back to the hotel, Newel got a message that his other missionary companion, Oropeza was in el zocalo waiting for him.  They went out for tacos at the Ranas place (the one my kids ate at twice) and Newel thought those tacos al pastor were some of the best he's ever had.  Newel made plans to meet with the Oropeza family in the zocalo in Cholula.

It all begins here. 

Making the pots

The following morning I got up early in search of some authentic talaveras (Puebla's pottery style) at the talavera market.  It turns out they know they have a good thing and they are expensive.  The next best thing we did was visit an actual talavera shop and learn how this beautiful pottery is made.  I learned a lot and it was my turn to be like a kid in a candy store.  I loved it.  They let us touch the stuff and it was hands on.  I still didn't buy anything for myself or anyone else...we were getting short on cash by then.

Painting a tile, talavera style

At the talavera shop

Once we were done touring the talavera shop, we headed back to the hotel, got our bags and headed over to Cholula, which is the town next to Puebla.  We visited Cholula because it has the biggest pyramid in the world. The pyramid is so big the conquistadors couldn't knock it all down.  Instead, they removed the top and built a church, that's still in use today.

Camera action

While we waited for the Oropeza family to arrive, we hung out at the park.  By this time we were all kind of worn out, so lounging around was the perfect activity for us, while the children got silly playing with the camera, running around, or playing with dirt.  We waited for a while, but the Oropeza family didn't show up, so we hiked to the top of the pyramid and enjoyed the view.  This was the closest we go the Popo.  After our hike, we headed back to Puebla to catch our bus back to Cuernavaca.

The Popocapetl

The church on top of the pyramid

We hung out with the Ocampos and checked out their new place.  While we were on our adventures, they moved to their new place.  Newel headed back to the US the following morning.  We were also getting ready to head back in few days.  That Sunday night, we headed over to Chinito's family for dinner and to say our farewells.  I think it started to sink in that we were leaving and Arden was a bit sad to leave Tita (Chinito's mom).  It was really cute and sad at the same time.  Arden is such a loving kid.  I know it broke Tita's heart to see him so sad to leave, but I'm sure she felt loved.  She gave him a bag of powder Choco Milk to remember her by.  We lovingly drank the Choco Milk in the mornings once Arden started school.

Enjoying the view.