17th December

Today is 1/2 Mexico City and 1/2 a trip to Puebla (south-east of capital). Had a coffee with Beth and Jackie and then we gathered for the city and pyramids tour. Mikey is on his tod today as he did it all yesterday.

We visited the same Aztec ruins as yesterday but but were given the associated history. We also visited an indigenous church and told the story of Santo Juan Diego and the Virgen Guadalupe. More churches followed including the impressive Basilica de Guadalupe and saw the shroud of the eponymous virgin which appeared on a linen cloth when Juan Diego presented the Bishop with a bunch of roses or so the story goes. Williams completely missed this photo opportnity as his battery had run out. Around the Basilica there was a huge statue of Pope John Paul II forged out of keys the locals had donated in his honour. Suzie was on top form, and under the same statue whic read "SS Juan Pablo II" started with....

Suzie: "Is that the Pope?"
Steve: "Pope John Paul II"
Suzie: "Oh, he's not well, is he?"
Steve: "Not exactly, no"

We made stops to a silver factory and shop - had a good chat with the owner - he was very proud of his photo with Leonardo Di Caprio who visited when on location filming Romeo and Juliet. I bought a pair of silver sombrero cuff-links (come on! I'm on holiday!). Getting 13 women out of a jewellery shop was not my idea of fun. We also stopped by a ceramics and precious stones factory and had a demonstration on how to fashion soap, a needle and thread and paper from a cactus and also sample diferent strengths of tequila.

Our final destination was the pyramids of Teotihuacan - they were every bit as impressive as I remember Chitchen Itza with a sun and moon pyramid, altar, palace all beautifully excavated. Took lots of photos including stupid ones of rock-climbing with the aussies.

Lunch was a mexican buffet that Dan would have been salivating over. I did it justice and hoovered up 4 plates.

Arriving back at the hotel we gathered our stuff and headed to the city of Puebla about 2 hours away. I have finally met the last member of the group, Hilary, a pint-sized Northern Irish ("I'm not feckin' Oirish" being some of her first words). It appears as though she doesn't like Mexican food and will refuse to order anything unless the menu is in English "I don't feckin speak Spanish". Get the idea?

Journey went quite quickly, Shahela sat next to me and we chatted about Manchester. She is a final year medical student and quite a laugh.

We got to the hotel, checked in and went out for dinner to El Mural de Poblano a restaurant specialising in the local mole (sauce) made of chocolate, onions and peppers. Quite an acquired taste but made easier by a great range of Margaritas. Hilary had steak but she "taught she'd troy de mole ting" as well. After dinner most of the group went to the bar from hell. Crap music, nearly pitch black and under a tarpaulin for a roof. Mikey, the Thais and I left after 1 drink leaving the Aussies and Leslie there.