I am in Puebla at the moment and I can´t stand still, I need to feel like I am exploring. This Sunday I decided to do some local touristing around and to spend time with my visitor from Germany and my family. We decided to explore an underground tunnel system below one of México´s most iconic city.
This tunnel system dates back to 1531 when the city was founded. It served as a secret passage for monks in the Cristiada War; it was used by militia during the Independence time; General Zaragoza´s cavalry used them during the war; artillery made these tunnels their second home during the Revolution... Until 1915 this underground series of tunnels was a very important part of Puebla´s history and now it is a touristic attraction.
In the beginning, when the city was built, the tunnels were used to transport construction materials from place to place but people started using it for different purposes.
As you can see in the map, the tunnels cover a large extension of the city. There are some part that haven´t been excavated well enough to allow people inside and since the most devastating earthquake in amost 30 years happenned a few months ago, I think the excavation is on hold at the moment.
As you can see, the tunnels are nowhere near old or ancient, they have been restored and electricity is now part of the voyage which, according to me, takes away all the magic.
At some point there was even some 1920´s music playing that at first was nice, but it became very repetitive - I think they only had one track.
I only explored around 10% of the tunnels because most of them are not connected and you have to go out to the surface and search for the next entrance a few hundred meters away. I was with my family otherwise I would´ve explored them all, but you gotta think about your whole adventure party.
After exploring the very modern and none ancient at all tunnels, we got hungry.
There is a ancient railroad station in a nearby town where, on saturdays and sundays, people have a very Mexican breakfast, right where people used to wait for trains no so many decades ago.
It is known in all the Puebla state as The station and people from everywhere come here, supposedly because it has some of the best food in the area. We wanted to put the station´s reputation to the test.
I have to say, I wasnpt disappointed. Not at all.
Look at the little chairs! I am not sure if they are meant for mexicans from the pre-Columbus time or if it is on purpose, to add some flavor to the experience of eating in the railroad station.
You know I love eating food that I will regret it the next day, so I ahd to order a quesadilla, a beef taco and a dish called Pancita, you don´t want to know what´s inside this dish, believe me, but if you are brave enough, google mexican pancita dish.
This was my view during the whole breakfast. The calmness and little town vibe is uncomparable... i think this is one of the reasons this place is so famous amongst Puebleans, the environment surrounding your breakfast time.
My dad told me about a flee market - which yeah, could be considered that, but I like to call these Antiques market and you will see why - and it was relatively close and it was still very early.
We didn´t hesitate to go.
I was delighted with the market but I was more intrigued by the people there. I had to take some pictures - some of them are candid, on others I asked for permission to take them.
This is the authentic part of a flee/antiques market, the people inside this small yet amazing eco-system.
Tired and happy about my day, I deserved a beer. A cold and spiced a-la-Mexico beer.