So the day after I went up in the mountains, Matt and I went to the port of Veracruz. This is right on the coast (obviously) of the Gulf of Mexico and where I originally thought I had been posted before I actually looked at the address of the university... It's quite an industrial city (lots of cranes and boats and stuff) but some parts are very pretty. The zócalo in particular was lovely (and festive, with a massive Christmas tree in the middle) but what we were most interested in was the seafood and the coffee. And the markets (for last minute Christmas gifts).
The coffee was an experience in itself. Very famous both for its quality and the way it is served, the café by the port is even mentioned in my guidebook. So if you ask for a 'lechera' (a latte), this is what you get >>They give you a glass with an espresso shot in it, and then a lovely man (I was hoping for an old one with a grey moustache, but, alas, I got a young dude) comes round with a kettle filled with hot milk which he then pours into your glass, starting from low down, then, using absolute skillzz, moves higher up, making the milk go frothy in some magical way, without even spilling a drop. Even if the coffee had tasted bad, it would have been worth it for the show. I was amazed. I know I am easily impressed but I'd like to see anyone else do that to the same effect! And the coffee tasted GREAT. I am LOVING being in coffee country.
So after that wonderful experience, we wandered around the port for a bit, looked round some market stalls and sat for a rest in the zócalo. We were chatting away, taking in the scenery and enjoying the people watching, when all of a sudden a PINCHE PIGEON pooed in my hair. I know they say that it's good luck and all, but that does nothing to console the poo-ee whatsoever. Rushing to the nearest restaurant - luckily there were plenty seeing as we were in the main square, I urged Matt to clean it out instantly, and him being the good friend that he is, kindly obliged :) After that trauma, we decided it was necessary to eat. This is probably my highlight. We ordered garlic prawn tacos and ceviche and shared the two dishes. Although it was more than double what we'd normally pay for a meal, it was totally worth it. The tacos were amazing but the main event - the ceviche (raw fish marinated in citrus juice with chili, corriander and onion) was INCREDIBLE. It was so fresh and delicious. I must go back and have some more before I leave here again!So that's basically all we did in Veracruz, apart from browsing the many market stalls. Then the last big event was the Danieles' wedding in Minatitlán. Far in the south of Veracruz, Mina had been described to me as 'ugly' and 'industrial', but to be honest, we didn't even get chance to see much of it so I can't comment. The party was just like you'd imagine: lots of tables full of friends and family, lots of food and a man walking round offering more corona to the guests. There was cake, the first dance, the song where friends and relatives dance with one of the couple (yes, I was classed a good enough friend to dance with Daniel :D) but there were also a few new traditions. The couple danced in the middle and guests pinned money to the veil and other pieces of clothing (easy way of giving a wedding gift I suppose...), and instead of the simple bouquet throwing tradition, there was something a lot more complex. First of all, all the females gathered in a circle around the bride, who was stood on a chair with the groom making a sort of bridge with her veil. Then everyone runs in and out of the veil until the song is over. Following that, the bride is blindfolded and spun around, whilst the women also run round in a circle around her, then the bride walks round the circle until she chooses someone to give it to. Laura won the bouquet. The groom then was equally spun round (though in a much more masculine way, with the male guests lifting him up and spinning him) whilst the guys ran in a circle round him. Daniel then had to choose someone, which ended up being Matt, who, instead of being handed a bouquet, was given a bottle of Boones (a low alcohol wine drink) and he had to stand on a chair and down some, before handing it round to the others. The evening continued with cake and lots of dancing, before heading out for food later on, and then back to Daniel's grandma's house to stay.
On the following day, after going for a breakfast/lunch of wedding leftovers, Laura drove us to Coatzacoalcos where we ran out to the beach, had a quick paddle, rushed back to the car (it was raining, but we wanted to see the seaside!), and then headed home, back to pack and get excited about coming HOME!!
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