Toluca

We were sad to leave San Miquel de Allende, but south we went. After paying our first ever cuota or toll on the Mexico 55 we found that the road surface is not only not better it is much worse than the libre (free) roads. The trip to Mexico City area is however MUCH too long if you do not use the toll roads. The driving on these roads can be a little nerve racking however since the locals drive at about twice the limit.

This place is famous for one of our favorite foods Chorizo and we had the most fantastic tacos here near the Opera house. The other spicy thing we see a lot of is the weather girls.

Luckily Garry Dymond had suggested that we visit the Cosmovitral, which is a stained glass mural and botanical garden. So we found a hotel near by which turned out to be a great location for the city. We were very near the Cathedral and the Mercado. The gardens are very peaceful and the walls and ceiling are made of amazing stained glass. The theme depicted by the windows centers on the struggle between life and death, good and evil, day and night and creation and destruction, all shown in continuum.

In Mexico they are getting ready for the Day of the Dead, which is a celebration focusing on the remembering of friends and family members who have died. It takes place on November 1, in connection with the Catholic holidays of All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day (November 2). Traditions include building private altars honoring the deceased using sugar skulls, marigolds, and the favorite foods and beverages of the departed and visiting graves with these as gifts.