RGVP Trip Day 5 - Veracruz

Today was a relatively quiet day. Our tour guide Juan agreed to take us on a 1 hour walking tour of the city closest to our hotel. We had breakfast in the hotel and met him out front. Most everyone showed up. (Of course it was at 10 am instead of 6 - which makes a difference.)

He told us lots of interesting stories - none of which I remember now of course ... We went inside the Cathedral which was big but not anything outstanding. We then walked down the square to the store where the phrase Güera Güera Güera started. Quera is basically "blond" and it is what they should to get you to come into their store. It means that you are "better" and if you go in the door of the one crying Quera, he gets a penny or two because you did.

From there we walked on down to the pier, where he pointed out the customs house and the fort (which should have been open but because of Carnaval, Juan assured us it would not be). There was Cafe Parroquia where Cafe Lechero was invented. I had three ... I love that stuff, and we bought some coffee to take home.

We then walked back to the hotel and basically crashed most of the afternoon. The group was having a costume party at 6, so we inquired and walked 3 blocks down to the fabric store where we bought some purple and green fabric to make sarongs ... A number of people commented on our originality, but a clown won, and Juan the guide showed up in his angel costume. REALLY?

Like I said, it was a quiet day.