Puebla

If you ever come to Mexico, go. So Puebla is one of the only cities in Mexico that was not a conquered, paved over, indigenous area. It was built entirely by the Spanish, specifically for churches and missions. When we got to the town center, or zocalo, I honestly felt giddy. It was one of the most beautiful places I think I’ve seen. There’s a park with fountains and street vendors, where all you can see are palm trees, gothic churches, and brightly painted colonial architecture. Kids run around cobblestone streets with balloons while their parents sip coffee under umbrellas at Parisian-style cafes. Puebla was also the birthplace of one of my favorite foods: mole. Chicken or turkey in an intensely flavorful slow-cooked chocolate chili sauce. It’s delicious, and comes highly recommended by this food-obsessed white girl. Next up, candy street. (Cue angelic choir) Mexican candy is the greatest thing to happen to my taste buds, and the worst thing to happen to my ass. Worth it. Chili and tamarind, pineapple and coconut, dulce de leche. These people know flavor and texture. They’re not screwing around. If it looks gross and weird, try it, because you’re wrong. Candy is not just for kids here, it’s kind of a way of life. Candy street was filled to the brim with exotic and colorful flavors, from candy skulls to sweet potato treats. It’s a must. Then, after a quick stop at the site of the 5 de Mayo battle, it was off to the world’s smallest volcano. It popped up one day in the middle of a park, and started spewing lava. Now, this outing was both good and bad. Appearing to be a large but unassuming mound of…well…dung, the volcano is actually pretty cool. You get to go inside and look around, which is almost worth the impending mugging and death that I feared an hour later. We had trouble finding a bus or cab back, and were walking around a pretty empty neighborhood, that did not have many open spaces or happy vibes (Sorry Mom). After about a month here, this is the only time I’ve felt a little panicky. Like everywhere else, the people were helpful and nice, but we were very out of place. A bunch of white kids with backpacks clearly didn’t belong, and I would almost definitely rob us. I’m kind of considering dying my hair, too. Just as a safety precaution. While it gets me into clubs first and occasionally some free drinks, it’s impossible to blend in with a crowd. I stick out like a sore, albino thumb, and sometimes you’re not looking to draw attention to yourself. Anyway, besides that little misstep, Puebla was amazing. It was like Disneyland. Artwork, architecture, pottery, sweets. The whole experience was like walking inside of a rainbow, if rainbows were filled with nice people and delicious food. (When you go, make sure to spend your night in Cholula, just a bus ride away. Also an amazing place with great food, Churches, the world’s widest pyramid, and some pretty awesome night life.)
P.S. I saw the Harry Potter Fan Club of Puebla meeting. They had been sorted into houses by the sorting hat, and were putting their names into the Goblet of Fire. Which made me think, why the HELL am I not in a Harry Potter Fan Club?