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I’m already very much in love with the city of San Cristobal de las Casas after just one day spent walking around. We bussed in last night and arrived at 8 p.m., with the temperature in the mid-40s. We had been warned about the cold, mountain nights, and were somewhat prepared. Yet it was still shocking to think of actually being cold when all we’ve experienced thus far has been the heat and humidity of Palenque.
Today we woke up and had a delicious breakfast courtesy of our hostel, and set out to explore the city. The weather was perfect—mid-70s and sunny but with a crisp, mountain breeze. The city itself is colorful and intimate, with narrow streets spilling over with handmade crafts and goods for sale. We strolled through several markets, Christmas shopping and admiring the artisans’ work.
Day of the Dead figurines
The town is full of a diversity of people, and much less homogeneous than Palenque. We could hear a variety of languages and accents as we shopped around, and for once didn’t feel like we stuck out like a sore thumb. Late in the afternoon we climbed an enormous hill up to a church which overlooked the city and provided a worthwhile view of the surrounding hills.
Feeling satisfied with our shopping and exploring for the day, we went back to our hostel and cooked up a makeshift dinner using the ingredients we rummaged up in the corner shop (garlic, tomato, penne, cheese). Our hostel is excellent—close to downtown, has a kitchen and internet, and is run by a super nice Mexican/French-Canadian couple. But while the temperature is pleasant during the day, it drops to the mid-40s at night and our room is neither heated nor insulated, with windows and doors open to the outside and a concrete floor. So we’ve been bundling up as much as our light layers have afforded us at night. After dinner I took my first hot shower since I left the States. While I haven’t minded the cold showers in Palenque, the frigid mountain water would provide a completely different experience and one I’m not sure I could physically handle.
Now we are about to commence the long and complicated process of transforming us into Greek goddesses (Artemis - Liz, Aphrodite - Brittany, Demeter – Evelyn, Gaia - me) for our Halloween night out. Hair, makeup, nails...I’m not sure I will survive the ordeal!
Our dress rehearsal in Palenque after buying the fabric
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