Off to Copala

Friday December 17, 2011

Today was the day for another ride to Copala with Sam & Rita.  Frank & Sandi along with Marilyn & Dennis joined us in the jeep.  We left around 10 am and took an alternate route out of town heading south.  There is large amount of construction on the north edge of town right now and we try to avoid it.  They are constructing an overpass.  The last couple of times we have gone down the malecon, turned left at Fisherman’s monument and then headed back up to the highway south out of town.  Today we took an alternate route.  We got to the same point but it was through a lot more traffic and pollution than going along the Malecon. 

Our first stop was the Pemex in Villa Union to stretch our legs and at this point we had lost Frank and the Jeep.  Odd because he is usually right behind us.  Just as Sam was getting ready to go back and see where they were they passed by without seeing us.  Another “Keystone Kops” routine!  We continued on and didn’t catch up to them until we were just outside Concordia on the new toll road.  They had seen a red Harley parked at the edge of the road and had pulled over to wait for us….but….we didn’t show up so they doubled back and realized it wasn’t us.  So that was why they weren’t right behind us. 

We pulled into Concordia for a short stop and a quick look around the square.  Today is a very busy day everywhere as it is Saturday and only one week to Christmas.  We had a look inside the church by the square which was open as there was going to be a wedding.

Flowers for the wedding.

 

 

Inside the church.

While we looked around Sam took the opportunity for a 20 peso shoe-shine.  Boy you needed sunglasses from the glare when he was done. 

 

Sam gets a shoeshine!

There we some pretty cute kids there and Sandi and Marilyn were passing out candies to them.  That always gets a smile and when this little group said “thank-you” and not gracias I asked them it they “habla ingles” and one little girl said “yes, I’m from Los Angeles.”  She was home to visit her family for Christmas and these were her cousins.  We had a short chat and said good-bye….cute kids.

When I asked if I could take a photo, they all snuggled up and smiled.  Too cute.  The girl is blue is from Los Angeles. 

Sandi, Marilyn and I also made a stop at the Dulceria or candy shop for a few sweets.  They do love their candy in Mexico and it is very good. 

Trooping back to the vehicles to head out.

Onward to Copala for lunch. It was a nice ride although very twisty and turny and the temperature was very warm.  We’ve done this ride on “Blue” the other Harley and it was a lot easier on the new bike.  Heavier, so it’s sticks to the road in the turns.  When we got to Copala we had to go down the awful cobblestone road and then up into town.  It could shake the fillings right out of your teeth not to mention how hard it is to control a motorcycle on it.  We stopped up at the church and were informed by a local that the only restaurant left open in town was “Daniel’s” which is famous for it’s banana cream pie.  We had eaten at the other restaurant (where the owner had his picture posted with Bill Clinton which had been taken somewhere in the U.S.)  The art gallery was open and both Marilyn and Rita when in for a look as they both wanted to buy a leather mask.  They are no longer displayed in Daniel’s restaurant where we bought ours.  We have ours hanging in the rig and really like it.

Lunch of course was in Daniel’s and a good meal was had by all, along with a couple of cervezas.  Eric and I both had Chile Reno (stuffed chilies) and Eric ordered an extra one but it turned out to be so large he had to take it home.  Yummy.

Ordering lunch.  I’ll have dos chilies, por fabor!

 

There is a look out above the restaurant and that’s the group finishing lunch down below.

An old tractor left there for …..?   to take pictures of perhaps. 

Walkway down to the restaurant. 

So, we were all full and happy and ready to start the journey home.

Relaxing in front of the cabinas outside the restaurant.

It was decided to stop at one of the many furniture factories along the road just past Concordia to stretch our legs.  It is amazing what they can make there and much of it is very beautiful.  Wood from Mexico, local craftsmen and a very nice product.  If I owned a house in Mexico that is where I would go to furnish my house.  We had a nice tour and then onward home. 

We returned to town the same way we left back through Juarez and the centre of the city.  In the future we will stick to the Malecon route even though it is a bit longer.  Less pollution and traffic and a nice ride along the ocean. 

When we arrived home it was much cooler and very windy, not at all like it was up country.  Nice to be warmer there, but no beach!

A good day was had by all!