Xalapa - Day 2

Posada Casa Regis, our hotel

Xapala cathedral, started in 1772 and not completed

After breakfast we set off for the Pinacoteca Diego Rivera, which according to the guide housed a modest collection of Mexico's most famous painter, along with other works.  We put in quite an effort to locate the place only to find it locked up and bare of any art works.  There was no explanation posted on the door.  Brenda was very disappointed.

We also visited the Cathedral, which was started in 1772 and according to the guide was never completed.  Unfortunately there was a wedding in progress when we arrived and we were not able to go inside.

On the way back to the hotel we admired some murals in the Palacio de Gobierno.  These had been recently painted for the 2010 bicentenary of the commencement of the fight for independence.  Unfortunately we were not allowed inside the building to view other murals.

Part of large mural in front of Palacio de Gobierno

The Lagos recreation area

After lunch and a nap we headed off for Parque Paseo de Los Lagos, a lake which is a major recreation area for the city.  Brenda and I rented a pedal-powered buggy with a steering wheel and a big hand brake and set off for a 30 minute ride around the lake.

Mechanized tour of Lagos recreation area

Garden at Parque Juarez central park

Brenda's mealtime story no. 5: At a small open air cafe right next to the central park, we decided to have a 25 peso turkey sandwich for lunch. I was imagining a couple of pieces of bread with the turkey and maybe one salad item. Instead, we got what appears in the photo - 2-tone bread (3 slices) so there were two layers of fillings. One layer was the turkey with some freshly cooked ham, and the other was lettuce and tomato with an interesting dressing that included small pieces of mushroom. The sandwich was sprinkled with some new-made thin potato chips and garnished with two green olives. We returned there for the evening meal, and again were impressed with the well cooked and well presented food which was enhanced by some smooth and full-bodied Argentinian red wine.

Pavo (Turkey) sandwich and chips