Recharging in colonial Veracruz

Recharging in colonial Veracruz Veracruz, Mexico

Veracruz, Mexico I arrived around 9:30AM. Somehow I was thinking I’ll get here around 6AM. Of course, it’s a 15-hour bus trip. I must have had a good sleep in the bus as it didn’t feel like that long. Hotel Baluarte. I finally stayed in a real, nice hotel. Feels like being back to civilization. The reception was nice enough to allow me to check-in early without any questions asked. I felt so happy with my hotel. What a breather from hosteling and couchsurfing! It’s good to just enjoy my own time, my own space, however I want. The hotel has a small pool. It was good enough for me. I swam a few laps, which was refreshing from thescorching heat of Veracruz. Hotel Baluarte is very conveniently located: only a few blocks from the zocalo, or centro historico, and a few blocks to the sea. Centro Historico. Walked around town this afternoon. The zocalo is a little bit like Merida but smaller. It has it’s own charm. I passed the main historic buildings: the baluarte, the centro cultural, civil registry, city hall, etc. In the evening, I went to the bay and the Malecon. It reminded me of Manila Bay, just a less busy version. Relative to other parts of Mexico I’ve seen, except for DF, Veracruz is pretty busy at night. I thought Merida is the oldest city in Mexico. I was told it’s Veracruz. Hernan Cortez from Spain set up this city. I better do my own research. I felt like being the typical gringo tourist. I am just enjoying the respite, not just from the heat staying in a nice air-conditioned hotel, but also from the backpacker/budget travel. I was looking forward to Merida the most in my trip and it left a bitter taste on the mouth, so I need to recover. I had the urge to eat fastfood and Burger King seduced me. I started eating chicken again in this trip. Seafood doesn’t come cheap and sometimes, it’s rarely on the menu.
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