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Published: February 12th 2013
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San Cristobal De La Casas (Mon to Thur.)
San Cristobal de las Casas is one of Mexico’s oldest post-colonial cities, located 37 miles east of the state capital, Tuxtla Gutierrez, in the heart of the Chiapas highlands. Established as a settlement in 1528, this city continues to be home to an ethnically diverse population, whose cultures and arts have been preserved. The city’s main appeal lies in its diverse architecture and plazas. Plans: Spanish Lessons: Tuesday & Wednesday 8 to 11 am Instituto Jovel, Reginaldo Gómez Trujillo, Director, San Cristobal de las Casas Chiapas, México.
http://institutojovel.com/ Ph. 011-52-967-678-4069
MONDAY (1-21-13): We left Chiapa de Corzo and moved to a new city today. We are now in the most beautiful city we will visit, San Cristobal de las Casas. When we arrived we walked around for 30 or 40 minutes looking for a hotel. One of the first we visited was awesome – Hotel Diego de Mazariegos. It was a really expensive hotel. When we arrived the posted price was $1300 pesos (about $110 per night US). I asked for a discount because it was mid-week in the slow season. She said "yes,
I can discount to $900." I said ok, but we want to look around. We walked to several other ok hotels, but this was by far the best. So we returned and I asked again about a discount and she said, "no mas." So I told her we were going to a hotel for $730 pesos. Then she called someone and said, ok, $800 pesos." I said, "ok, great!" That is about $66 US. Our room has a wood burning fireplace and is way awesome!
We were both hungry so we put our stuff in the room and went in search of dinner. We found this delightful little place next to the Convento de Santo Domingo de Guzman. I don’t remember the name but the place is located on 20 de Noviembre ½ block past Navarro on the opposite side of the road from the artisan market. We both had the Corrida Comida for 70 pesos ($6 US). Teresa had Soup, Mexican rice, stuffed chicken breast in a cream sauce, and orange infused water. had the same only not chicken (can’t remember what I had for a main course). It was really wonderful. It is a small place only
seats about 15 people. Across the street is an artisans market which is just amazing. All handmade stuff. Tons of really cool jewelry with silver, amber, jade, and other stones. Teresa went crazy today and bought 2 necklaces and a set of ear rings. Amber, copper and silver is big here and they have so many artists that make cool stuff.
The weather was great today. High of about 77 and now it is about 55 degrees. At night we went to the Margarita Zoo (a Bar). They had 2 x 1 beers and tasty margaritas.
TUESDAY (1-22-13): I took Spanish lessons this morning. Once again when I returned Teresa was in the court yard sitting in the sun reading. After my classes we explored the city. We walked most of the central area. I bought 4 pounds of coffee and several more pieces of Jewelry (for Teresa, the girls and Vanessa). We stopped several times for coffee or ice cream. For dinner, I had pescado vera cruzano it was yummy!
WEDNESDAY (1-23-13): Today was fun. I went to Spanish lessons again. Teresa finished her book. We then went on a walking tour with one of the
teachers from the school. He took us to the main market and just walked through the town. Then we returned to the school and met with the School Director (Helga). She took us on a driving tour of the city and we saw one of the nicest hotel I have ever seen. It was just plain awesome! On site it has a masseuse and sauna. The rooms are huge perhaps 1000 sq ft and include a wine selection, stocked frig, bar, and expresso machine. The bathrooms includes a copper bathtub. Breakfast is included. The rooms cost from between $110 and $190 per night. After she took on a little tour of a house she owns. It is a traditional Mexican home. It is walled off from the outside. You enter from an old wooden door to a glorious courtyard with a garden and several fruit trees (orange & lime). Workers are removing the entire roof and redoing the home. It will be so cool when she is finished. Then she takes us to Na Bolom. Built in 1891 as a hacienda, it is now a compound with mustard-yellow arches and scarlet balconies that includes a hotel. It was founded by
the Danish anthropologist Frans Blom and his wife, the Swiss photographer Gertrude Duby. From the 1920s until her deaths (1993), they documented the cultures of both the ancient Maya and their present-day descendants. Today, Na Bolom — it means Jaguar House in Tzotzil is a testament to their life's work, with public rooms full of artifacts, a library of tomes on Maya and Mexican history.
Dinner tonight was Commida Corrida! Me: Roast Pork in a red sauce with rice, soup, salad and drink. Teresa: Chick breast with mushroom sauce, rice soup, salad and drink (75 pesos each). Yummy!
Tomorrow we are going to two small indigenous villages Zinacantan & San Juan Chamula. Chamula is a textil village and Zinacantan is a flower growing community. Both are very traditional. Neither allows you to take pictures.
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