Life's a Beach | Expat Life in Playa del Carmen

Fortunately, the next day Rob was feeling much better and, after spending so long in the hotel alone, was ready to get on the road. We had planned to spend a day or two in Puebla but decided just to stop for a nice lunch instead and then continue on to Oaxaca City. We picked up our car at a rental place near the airport  and with a little help from our iPhones and Google maps, we were on our way. Traffic in and out of the city was pretty congested but once we reached the city limits the roads opened up and we were able to move right along. The drive was picturesque and a real change from what we have seen in our previous travels. My beach bum kids were delighted to see snow capped mountains!

We arrived in Puebla and easily navigated through downtown. Because we were hoping to check in to our rental house in Oaxaca before dark, I had us on a pretty tight schedule which did not leave time for any site seeing. A bit disappointing and I was only able to snap a few photos from the car as we drove through. The city is very active and I can see spending a few days here as there is a lot to see and do. I knew EXACTLY where I wanted to eat, so we found a car park and walked only a block or two to one of the city's renowned restaurants, El Mural de los Poblanos.

Named for the mural by Antonio Álvarez Morán that graces the dining room, El Mural de los Poblanos is dedicated to preserving the heritage and raising the standards of classic Mexican cuisine and specifically the gastronomy of Puebla. The restaurant is located in a courtyard "living room" of an elegant 17th century Colonial home located in the Centro Historico of Puebla. The mural for which the restaurant is named is lively and engaging and depicts the history of Puebla through the various prominent political, cultural, religious and social characters who contributed to and influenced this region.

This is the place to go to try five kinds of mole, a trilogy of cemitas, tostadas, stuffed ancho chiles, and delicious, traditional chiles en nogada. The restaurant is also known for offering a wide selection of mescal and tequila as well as fine Mexican wines. More adventurous diners may want to try the "escamoles" and "gusanos de maguey" available seasonally and prepared table side. We arrived for an early lunch and unfortunately neither was available during our visit. (You know I would have been all over that!)

We enjoyed a delicious lunch, our first taste of mole on this trip, and carried on to Oaxaca City. Again, we enjoyed beautiful views of the mountains and farm lands along the way. Most notable and striking were the cactus "forests" we encountered along the way that stretched for miles and miles around us. At times, it was rather other-worldly.

This second leg of the trip was quite a bit longer and if was dark by the time we reached the Oaxaca city limits. Unfortunately, this is about the same time our mapping software became "confused", sending us on a wild goose-chase through the city looking for the Xochimilco neighborhood. At first, Google insisted on sending me back to Xochimilco south of Mexico City. Later, it failed to recognize the many narrow dead end streets that would keep us from reaching our desired destination. After a few hours of backing up, turning around, asking for directions and plenty of foul language, we were able to find our home for the next 10 days, Casa Palomita.

Next...our first full day and impressions of Oaxaca City.