2003-10-03 - 10:30 a.m.
I am in Tepic. I think I might be the only American in town. Oh well, no big deal.
This could be the cool breeze, blue sky me talking but I like this place. It is clean, bustling, lively. There might be nothing of interest to a tourist but if you just want to see Mexican _life_ chugging along, this is as good a place as any.
The main plaza, in front of a beautiful gothic cathedral, is paved in red brick and shaded by topiaries and jacaranda trees. On every shady bench, there are at least three old men in cowboy hats and where there is no bench, they sit on the knotted roots of the bigger trees.
Under an arched walkway on the east side of the plaza, twenty shoe shine stands are busy all day. And, everywhere, the clothes stores, paper shops, and sweets stands are full. Mexico might be a poor country but it must be on its way up, because it seems like everyone is shopping and eating all day.
Last night, the city hosted a dance party for abuelitos (grandparents). In fact, it happens every Thursday ... a live band, hot chocolate and pan dulce, and dancing for the old folks. Plus chairs if you just want to watch.
Lucky for me, there's nothing to do but people watch, because I am way way over budget. When things even out financially, I'll move on to Mexcaltitlan which is known as 'the Venice of Mexico.'
