What a Lot of Puppies

Ale claims his hometown is an eyesore but looking out onto the city at night was a different story. This photo doesn't do justice to the view so you'll just have to imagine the rest.

Alex’s house in itself seems exotic to me. As I walk in, I am greeted by a chorus of birds and parrots that have the uncanny ability to talk like his Mother (so confusing!!)

His family give me a warm welcome and I am introduced to Mafalda, a St Bernard who Ale affectionately calls ‘mi gorda’!

Mafalada, posing for the camera

His house is full of animals and the puppies are adorbs.

Puppy!!

Lunch was a feast of frijoles charros with tortillas, salsas and carne asada.

As if that wasn’t impressive enough, halfway through the meal, a band of mariachis came in and started belting out the traditional Mexican love songs and various members of the extended family battled to name the next song to be played.

For those of you who are unacquainted with mariachi music, here’s a link from youtube which shows the kind of songs they perform. The quality isn't great, but you get the gist.

Another noteworthy (geddit) Mexican musical experience is seeing marimberos.  I saw quite a few marimberos busking in Chiapas. As far as I can see, the marimba just a glorified xylophone but whatever, it still sounds cool!

(Yes I know the video is from Guetemala. But just imagine it’s Mexican.)

Here’s a picture of some musicians I saw in San Critstobal aka San Cris. (Sorry for no video but let's face it, the youtube version in better)

San Cristobal is a beautiful marketplace which is busy enough to be lively but tranquil enough to want to linger there. Ale’s Mum helped me choose then payed for an indigenous-style top, which comes with a belt to make it look smarter. Putting the belt on is not as simple as it looks because you have to cross over the strings several times before you can tie the knot. Here’s me getting a lesson on how to get dressed from the kind lady who sold it to me.

Hmm, I don't think that's right...

And voila! Me, the indigenous top and my correctly adjusted belt.

The rest of the pictures from San Cristobal speak for themselves.

Church and Bougainvillea

Balloons

Piggy-back ride using a rebozo!

Church, Ale, moi

Contrasting colours: yellow Church against a blue sky

Balancing act: delivering a delicious fruit fix to customers at San Cristobal market

Finally, a bird that doesn't wake me up in the morning!

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The next day, me and Ale went on a 9hr road trip back to Puebla.

I kept awake the whole time...

Not.

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