After not returning home from our Thanksgiving celebration until 4:30, I quickly packed for my next trip, slept for an hour, got up to shower, and took the very crowded bus to CAPU to meet Miki at 8. We bought our tickets and took the 8:30 bus to Veracruz. It was only a 4-hour trip, which after a couple of 13-hour rides, and a night with little sleep, passed very quickly. We arrived in Veracruz around 12:30, and took a taxi to our hotel, which was right across from the beach, and offered a great view of the city. We were both hungry, so we had an early lunch at VIPS, comparable to Applebee’s in the States, and I had a great batch of french toast. It was kind of cloudy, and looked like it might rain, so we decided to go to the famous aquarium, supposedly the largest and most impressive in Latin America. If you had never been to an aquarium before, or maybe not one in the United States, it probably would have been impressive. But, it wasn’t all that large, and I just kept asking myself “where are the sharks?” and “when is their going to be a show with Shamu and Flipper like Sea World?” There were a lot of large and odd fish, and some interesting displays, but nothing to write home about.
The aquarium is in this large plaza that has areas to shop, other museums, and a simulation ride. Since Miki had never been on one, I knew it was something she had to experience, and we went on a “rollercoaster ride”. Her reactions and expressions were more enjoyable than the ride itself! After this adventure, we walked and walked looking for the Zocalo area, which was no easy task with gale force winds. There was still evidence of the hurricane that hit the city back in September, and after walking in that crazy wind, I can only imagine how intense and damaging the hurricane had to be. We spent a little time in the Zocalo, and then took a taxi back to our hotel to rest and relax. We ended up falling asleep and woke up around 9. Neither of us really felt like going out, and just decided to walk down the street to Subway for dinner, and then call it an early night.
Saturday morning we got up and walked to McDonald’s for a great pancake breakfast. I obviously have taken full advantage of the Mexican cuisine and seafood on recent vacations…not. We wanted to spend some time on the beach, so we walked to the beach, and laid out for a bit. But, it didn’t last long, as it was just as windy as it was the day before, and we got tired of rubbing sand out of our eyes and spitting sand out of our mouths. However, the warmth and the sun were greatly appreciated. We went back to the hotel to shower and change, and then Miki wanted some seafood, so we went to a restaurant on the beach where she got her fix, and after went back to Subway for me. Then, we met Bryce, who had arrived that afternoon, near the aquarium, and took a taxi to the Fort of San Ulua. San Juan de Ulua is a grouping of prisons, fortresses, and a palace that overlooks Veracruz, and it was very large and impressive. There were many locations for photo-ops, and a lot of history and information to take in. We spent a couple of hours there, and then returned to the aquarium plaza so Bryce could go to the aquarium, and Miki and I went to Aunque Ud. No Lo Crea (Ripley’s Believe it or Not). Of course all the abnormalities and oddities at Ripley’s are always amusing, but there was one exhibit that was especially entertaining.
At the beginning of the museum, there are some statistics and a couple of pictures of people making strange shapes and doing strange things with their tongues. Behind these displays is a large mirror where people can try to copy these odd movements. Of course, being so talented, I took the opportunity to show Miki that I can indeed roll my tongue, and I can also make the 3-leaf clover. After attempting these shapes, you continue through the museum until you reach the last room, where there is a sign that says, “Do you remember this?” Here, you learn that the mirror for the tongue movements is a two-way mirror and everyone can see you attempting to make these shapes. It was absolutely hysterical to watch people think about: 1) should they even try it or are they two composed and mannered for that and 2) how in the world do people actually do these things with their tongues. We stayed in this room for at least 20 minutes, enjoying the ridiculous faces and attempts of others. However, I am sure I put on quite the show for others early in the afternoon.
That evening we returned to the hotel to relax for a bit, and then went to a restaurant/bar down the street, named Rumbumba. Once again taking advantage of the food, I ordered chicken nuggets and fries to go along with my pina colada. However, Bryce and Miki both ordered seafood dishes and said they were great. We enjoyed eating out on the deck, hearing the waves crash below us, and listening to a decent band. Not knowing where else to go and not feeling like walking all the way to the Zocala area, we called it a night around 11.
Sunday morning we pressed snooze three or four times before finally getting up and heading back to the beach. It was a much nicer day, with little wind, less clouds, and a higher temperature. The weather made such a difference, so we spent our last couple of hours on the beach, and then went back to quickly shower and change. Then, we went back to the bus station and made the 4-hour journey back to Puebla. I am sure Veracruz had a lot more to offer, and a few more days on the beach would have been wonderful, but for a short weekend, and our last weekend of travel for the semester, it was fun and relaxing.
Pictures from Veracruz:
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