Beetles

Trip Start Aug 04, 2008
1
35
90
Trip End Ongoing


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Flag of Mexico  , Central Mexico and Gulf Coast,
Wednesday, October 1, 2008

Taxco is also a town that was historically a part of Mexico's silver trade.  Today it is the center of the silver trade, both retail and wholesale.  The historic district sits on a very steep slope, and also has narrow cobblestoned streets.  But just for fun (I guess), they left off the sidewalks.  So walking around Taxco was a little hairy.  The consolation was that the local taxis were all cute little white VW Beetles (that's right, Dad!).  They had the front passenger seats removed, so 2 Mexican-sized people could fit snugly into the back.  Dozens of them put-putted around the steep streets in the little neighborhood incessantly, and the overall effect was like being caught in a life-size Pac-Man game. 

We headed off to see a local attraction, some really big caves outside of town whose name escapes me but start with C, but they were pretty cool.  The guide spoke only Spanish, but there were some English speakers in the audience.  We followed a path through the huge cavern, 300 feet tall or so, as she pointed her flashlight at various rock formations to discuss them.  But I didn't want to impose on them too much, so I only asked 'what did she say?' when everyone burst out in laughter.  This happened regularly "She said that that one looks like an elephant", "She says that one looks like two lovers, see the shadows kiss, but look in the background, there's the mother in law! Hahaha!"  Halfway through the tour I was amazed we hadn'tīt seen the Virgin Mary anywhere, as Mexicans are known to be able to find her image in a plate of enchiladas, but towards the end she finally made her appearance.

Overall Taxco is nothing to write home about (though that won't stop me clearly), and we rested up for the next day's ride to Oaxaca.
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