38. MEXICO – La Malinche volcano and Tlaxcala, Tlaxcala

It didn’t take long to get to La Malinche National Park (near Huamantla) from Parque Nacional del Chico. It has a huge campground with pretty good facilities. The campground is right at the foot of La Malinche volcano but still at a good 3000m altitude so the temperature was great for us.
First night we decided to BBQ chicken and veg and sit outside. By then it was raining, cold and wet but that is the good British BBQ so it suited us just fine.

Campsite at La Malinche volcano  September 2013

Campsite at La Malinche volcano
September 2013

Then that night we both got a pretty awful food poisoning. The following two days were wiped out as we were only sleeping and doing things that I wouldn’t detail here.
Anyhow on the third day we both felt strong enough to go and check out Tlaxcala the capital city of this state that has the same name. Tlaxcala is very cute. Small enough to park at the outskirt and walk in to the centre within 10 minutes. It is a bullfighter town and has a few beef restaurants -if you know what I mean…, a couple of charming little squares and a manicured-treed promenade with fountains, endless churches and the usual nice little cafes, shops, bakeries and all. It had a very nice atmosphere especially as we were approaching one of Mexico’s biggest celebration (16th September) Independence Day so the whole town was dressed up in green-white-red banners, flags and lights. It looked pretty nice. We stayed for dinner in town then headed back to the campground.

Tlixcala September 2013

Tlixcala
September 2013

Tlixcala September 2013

Tlixcala
September 2013

Tlixcala September 2013

Tlixcala
September 2013

Tlixcala September 2013

Tlixcala
September 2013

Tlixcala September 2013

Tlixcala
September 2013

Tlixcala September 2013

Tlixcala
September 2013

We spent the following couple of days to make a video message for my baby brother and his soon-to-be-wife for their wedding day. It turned out to be very silly as I am a pretty poor public-speaker so I kept the talking part short and, as we dedicated the climbing the volcano for them -which gave me boost, it was full of action. Anyway it was fun making it and finally we made it to the top.

La Malinche volcano  September 2013

La Malinche volcano
September 2013

La Malinche volcano  September 2013

La Malinche volcano
September 2013

La Malinche volcano  September 2013

La Malinche volcano
September 2013

Up there my migraine got me so I had to lower down while John climbed up to the side of the crater. I was sitting under a tree for over an hour waiting for him and suddenly I found myself in a dark, thick cloud with rain. I did our signature whistle to signal John but no answer. I decided to walk down back to the camp. There’s only one way so no problem. Besides I was freezing cold, I also though somehow John and I got missed each other so he might be at home already. When I got back there was no sign of Johnny. First I thought, oh well, he should be here soon. But after an hour I begun to worry. He finally got back home pretty upset. He was trying to find me back there. He climbed up and down the summit three times worrying that I got lost, fallen or something. He was coming back down to see if I’m back or call for help. It was one of those misunderstandings when everyone is right and no one is wrong, yet causes a great deal of trouble so we ended up arguing for a hour! Goodness. Now we have a new signature whistle and an emergency plan. All covered.

The video message was edited in a day and sent to my secret person who screened it at the right time. It was a success all around and everyone was crying 🙂
This place was a great place to get ill for a few days, to hike, to chill, to make the silly film and generally to stay a few days to enjoy the fresh air and the forest. After staying here for about 5 days we moved on to Cholula the sister town of Puebla.
Next, Cholula…