May 30, 2011

Day 7: tour of Puebla and official lunch with The Rotary Club and the Develyn Foundation

By gbertuzzo

Today was the second day of our weekend, and we were able t sleep in a bit! after that we took a tour bus with an open desk, and we enjoyed a tour of Puebla.

We learned a lot, took tons of picture and even managed to sunbathe.. or get sunburnt...sometimes there is only a very fine line between the two! ;)

Established by the Spanish in 1531 on the main route between the port of Veracruz and Mexico City, PUEBLA was the principal city of colonial Mexico. Over the years it assumed many different names: City of Angels, City of Tiles, Heroic City of Zaragoza. Today we know it as simply Puebla. Puebla's appearance is the most European of all the colonial cities, because it was planned from the ground up by a Spanish city designer rather than being built within an existing Indian community. By 1539, Puebla had a university and was on its way to becoming well-known throughout Mexico for milling, textiles, exquisitely decorated pottery and tiles, and for the architectural beauty of its buildings.Although modern Puebla is highly industrialized, its historic downtown remains a Spanish-colonial treasure filled with elegant 17th and 18th century European architecture and art. When you add a temperate climate year-around, friendly and courteous residents (called poblanos) and delicious regional cuisine, Puebla becomes the ideal place to learn Spanish.

While on tour, we were able to get an exclusive tour of the municipal building (FYI, all the marble had been imported from Italy!), and after that a quick pick of the Chapel of the Rosary and the city's Cathedral. The cathedral is an amazing building and according to some sources it was supposed to be build in Mexico City. Apparently there was a mix up with the maps, and VOILA!  Puebla ends up with a cathedral more majestic than the one in Mexico´s capital.

After the tour, we went to the local Marriott Hotel for a pretty fancy dinner sponsored by Puebla's Rotary Club. All their major representatives were there, togetehr with Mr. Develyn, from the Develyn foundation. For sure this clinic wouldn't have happened without their help!

The rest of the evening is free ..between shopping, some last sightseeing and a lot of rest, we all got ready for tomorrow clinic!.. We played tourists for a couple fo days, now time to go back to work!

Here is our bus for the day! perfect way of touring Puebla.
The city os definately a colorful place, with houses of different colors and different architectural styles aletrnating on the streets
The Mexican flag
At the muicipal building. Please note Rosanne sitting on the major's chair!
The inside of the city Cathedral. This Virgin Mary statue is said to be one that conquistador Hernan Cortes brought with him from Spain.
View from the bus - in case you are wondering...yes, the traffic is a bit crazy
Lunch was yummy...Liam especially liked the cookies!
Our clinic leader Leona Dockery is not Puebla Rotary Club honorary member: congratulations from all of us!!
Mr Rotary appears on this monument dedicated to the Rotary Club
Mexican food! and yes..tequila was on the table as well!
..and to finish on the high side, some very tasty flan
The Rotary Club took pictures of all our tables...like we were some sort of celebrities!

13 Comments

  1. Dad says:

    Well, Neil, looks like you are having the time of your life.  From the looks of the weather, Utah will be washed away by the time you get back!  But the skiers are having the time of their lives.  Said one resort will be open until July 4th with the amount of snow that has recently fallen.  Thanks for showing us the pictures of that mouth watering food.  Did they give you a doggy bag by chance????  Love you lots, Dad

    Posted on Mon May 30, 2011 8:12 pm EST

  2. Talita says:

    Well done to all of you - very proud of you! Shelley, loads of love from all of us. Hope you enjoyed the shopping and travelling over the week-end! Seems like you having a great time!xxx

    Posted on Tue May 31, 2011 2:31 am EST

  3. wedaad Adams says:

    Hello to the team! Well done with all that you have done so far!!
    We are very proud of the work that you are doing!!
    To Shelley from South Africa- i didnt see you befpore you left, but i am sure that you are having an amazing time and enjoying the experience!! Lots of love from teh office, we’re mmissing you but know that your caring and loving personality is being appreciated in Mexico!! Good luck with the rest of clinic gusy! xx

    Posted on Tue May 31, 2011 2:47 am EST

  4. christine wilson says:

    to team Mexico: best wishes for the last week, and safe journey back home. Shelley, we are missing you and are in dire need of a good cup of coffee!From Sunglass Hut Cape Town

    Posted on Tue May 31, 2011 3:32 am EST

  5. Da Mask says:

    Yo dream team, you guys seem to be SMOKIN with those numbers…...well done!

    Please look after our rock star Shelley!

    regards,

    Da Mask!

    Posted on Tue May 31, 2011 4:47 am EST

  6. Chappy says:

    Awesome! Mexico will never be the same again, they(patients) will look at life differently thanx to your tireless efforts. Shelly - from team South Africa. Don’t break too many hearts! It is quiet in the office without you around, I am sure you are keeping the energy levels going.
    Enjoy :-)

    Posted on Tue May 31, 2011 5:03 am EST

  7. Lara says:

    Hello all in Mexico.  Well done for all the great
    work you have done… 
    Shells, we miss you lots and hope that you are enjoying Mexico. See you soon. 

    Lolly and Just Juice xxx

    Posted on Wed Jun 1, 2011 6:55 am EST

  8. BIG AL says:

    Well done to all of you - very proud of you! CAROLYN, loads of love from all of us. Hope you enjoyed the travelling over the week-end! Seems like your having a great time!come home soon we miss you ,be safe always

    Posted on Wed Jun 1, 2011 12:00 pm EST

  9. BIG AL says:

    Well done to all of you - very proud of you! CAROLYN, loads of love from all of us. Hope you enjoyed the travelling over the week-end! Seems like your having a great time!come home soon we miss you ,be safe always

    Posted on Wed Jun 1, 2011 12:08 pm EST

  10. Connie Moore says:

    All of you are awesome.  Dr. Thompson I can’t wait to hear your experience.  God bless all of you.

    Posted on Wed Jun 1, 2011 8:15 pm EST

  11. Evelyn Johnson says:

    OK Neil,  WHERE ARE YOU?  We have been anxiously waiting to see Dr. Roberts and all you were doing for days 8 and 9 and cannot find you.  We hope to see those posted soon.  Assuming you are serving those people there until you are exhausted.  Keep up the good work…

    Posted on Wed Jun 1, 2011 8:26 pm EST

  12. Jeff says:

    Rosanne were you the grand pubah for the day ?
    Love, Jeff

    Posted on Wed Jun 1, 2011 8:50 pm EST

  13. Cheryl says:

    Hello Sister Leah, you’re looking pretty good in your last picture, hope that means you’re getting some site seeing and rest in between all the hard work you’re doing. Anxious to hear all about your experiences, everyone looks so happy. I’m very proud of you. You’ll be coming home to a beautiful yard, I’m sure all your flowers are in bloom. Have a safe trip home. Luv u, Cheryl xx00

    Posted on Thu Jun 2, 2011 8:23 am EST

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