January 11, 2019 - Santa Clara del Cobra and Patzcuaro

We are so proud of ourselves for getting to breakfast right at 7:30 (the bells chime every quarter hour, so we know we’re right on the money!). But the kitchen won’t be ready for us until 8:00, so we have a small reprieve.  Everyone gathers at the newly-appointed hour and the magnificent view is still there, waiting to remind us that Life is Good!!  I’ve been dabbling in the “bread pond” and it must be true that Mexican wheat is different from ours;  I’ve been fine so far!  Today I’m going to have one of the beautiful treats in the bread basket and push my luck even further!  So good with Mexican hot chocolate!  And I have a mushroom omelet that comes with a scoop of potatoes with bacon bits mixed in.

Next to the entrance to the rooftop terrace restaurant.

When everyone is finished we take a few minutes and then regroup at the van.  Adan has been eating with us and that makes everyone very happy!  He and Juan are such an integral part of our group!  Our only disappointment is that Ben and Elizabeth had to leave early this morning to catch their flight back to Atlanta.  They took the bus to Mexico City, then a taxi to the airport.  During the day they sent Ginger updates so we all breathed a sigh of relief when they were home safe!  (Ben went to urgent care and found out he has the flu.)

We off to Santa Clara del Cobra which is famous for its copper works!  There’s about an hour’s ride to get there, so I do a little blogging along the way.  It’s hard because there is so much beautiful scenery to see!

Say, "Hi!" to Fred!

As we get into town there is a small funeral procession with a single car carrying the casket and the mourners following behind.  There are two policemen to help with traffic, since the roads are so narrow.  We notice that there is a black, metal sign which is carried by one of the mourners and we think it will probably be the grave marker.

About that same time we see a church which has a statue of a man sitting in the bell tower, with a bottle in his hand!  He is a well-known character and is drinking because of the state of the world!  Time to get out of the van and begin exploring - this church will do nicely!  There are always surprises inside Mexican churches!  This one does not disappoint!  Juan, Ginger, Marissa, Fred, and Kathleen climb up the treacherous stairs to the bell tower.  Thanks, anyway!

And there is another lovely church right across the street!

Then it is on to the Copper Museum.  There is a man in the courtyard pounding a large copper piece into shape.  Inside we see prize-winning copper works, many of which defy description!  So beautiful and creative!  Happily, there is time to explore several of the near-by shops selling the town’s specialty!  

Back to the van!  There’s more to see and do!  We’re off to explore Patzcuaro!  Adan has the hard job right now!  He drives us up a terribly steep road to a lookout point from which we can see the entire lake and the town of Patzcuaro (population 90,000).  And there are even stairs to climb so Fred and Marissa don’t feel like they’re getting off too easy!

We take a quick tour around the market square, then settle in El Patio for lunch, with a live musician!  And he takes requests - but not the Beach Boys!

After lunch Juan shows us how to find the five remaining patios out of the original eleven that used to be here before the road was cut through.  They are now filled with shops;  bu they used to be part of a convent.  So many pretty things to see and photograph!  Well, and buy!

Awful photo;  but I wanted to share the people in line with their gas cans as we drove by.

And the endless line of cars waiting patiently.

When we’re well and truly satisfied, we climb back into the van, which is always right where we need it to be!!  

Tonight we’ll have dinner at Cynthia’s restaurant!  She is so amazing!  Everyone knows her!  She’s prepared the dinner for the Morelia Film Festival and we learn that the man at an adjoining table is the mayor of Patzcuaro!  When we walk in there is a table for eleven with a “Reserved” sign on it and when the maitre’d asks if we have reservations, Ginger says, “No”.  Then he asks if she is Ginger, and says that’s our table!  

Hi tech!

Hiding under there is the world's most tender and flavorful steak!

Most of us start with margaritas and settle to the difficult task of choosing an entry!  Everything is bound to be beyond compare! And no one is disappointed!  As we’re finishing dinner and thinking about dessert, Cynthia herself comes over to say hello to us all and to sit and chat with Ginger!  How does she have time for that?  We even get to meet her charming husband!  And I think she treated the hardier souls to a glass of mescal!  My sip of Ginger’s was plenty for me, though!  There are several desserts scattered around the table and each is better than the last!

The man in the white shirt is the mayor of Patzcuaro!

Mr. and Mrs. Martinez say good night!

Finally we have to bid Cynthia and her restaurant a good night.  As we’re walking home we realize that Fred is clutching a package.  Cynthia gave him one of the tortilla presses!  He was obviously her prize pupil and we are all thrilled for him and Marissa!  It till be so hard to see them go!  And Bellingham is such a long way from either Atlanta or Odessa!!

Well, we have one more day with them, but tonight it’s time for bed!