Papantla

Papantla's main square.
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Our last morning in Mexico City, and we awoke to a blackout - so we showered in total darkness, a novel experience for someone who likes her hairdryer!

On the move again and the bus to Papantla took us out through the shanty towns on the outskirts of the city. However soon we had escaped the smog and noise of the city and saw Teotihuacan in the distance (we´ll visit that on our return in 5+ weeks time.)  A scenic 6 hour ride passing through small villages, amazing mountain scenery and lush forested areas.

An undiscovered gem

The pretty church overlooking the square, Papantla.
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On arrival at Papantla we had a tough 15 minute walk, all uphill, laden with rucksacks, passing dogs sniffing carcasses from the butchers on the pavement - so first impressions were not good, and we did wonder what we had let ourselves in for. But as we soon discovered, it is a real gem.

The Zocalo, the main square, is tree lined with a bandstand in the centre. There´s a Christmas tree and decorations and it is the heart of the community where most people come in the evening. In the evening thousands of small birds perch in the trees and the noise is deafening. The party starts as soon as darkness falls and Santa, Rudolph and his helpers turn up in the back of a Coca Cola truck and entertain the children while dancing to Spanish Christmas carols and songs. Think Europop. Rudolph seemed more interested in the mothers and was getting hot in his outfit!!!

Santa´s little helper with frisky Rudolph
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Elsewhere on the small square a "crooner" (with ubiquitous moustache) entertained the adults and elderly, although he was no Julio Iglesias.