Sunday 08 February 2015 - Puerto Chiapas, Mexico

About 8:00 am as we arrive in Puerto Chiapas we see a large gathering on the beach across the harbor from where our dock is located.  There is a stage and someone speaking with a microphone -- not sure if he is a preacher or a protester.   Come to find out it is Sunday Mass.    A large Celebrity ship is also docked nearby.  On our side of the harbor --- there is a pool/restaurant complex and a large enclosed area with shops -- a manicure/pedicure place, a band with dancers and lots of festivity.

Sunday Mass in Chiapas, Mexico

We are taking another tour today -- to Tuxtla Chico, a small town about 45 minutes away to learn about how chocolate is made.  Our second stop on the way back will be to the Izapa Ruins  --- predecessors to the Mayans. 

Made by Young Residents -- they called it a Carpet!

Our Guide is Rosalea and our Driver is Julio.  Immediately we are told that this is the hottest place in Mexico and it sure feels like it.   Rosalea tell us about Chiapas -- the state we are in -- which has an economy that runs on agriculture with lots of family farms. 

Pat Watching the Chocolate Demonstration!

Julio who is very good at maneuvering the narrow roads in this small town gets us as close to the center as possible.  We get off the bus, walk through a carnival until we come to a square with a large outdoor stage and several booths around the square perimeter selling packages of chocolate.    

Booths in Tusxtla Chico selling Chocolate!

 Everyone is giving out generous samples of their chocolate.   On the stage is a demonstration area where we learn what happens once the pod from the cacao tree is picked until it becomes edible chocolate.   The yellow/orange pod is broken open revealing lots of white seeds covered with a white film -- tasting very sweet.    The seeds are roasted allowing the outside skin to break easily presenting the cocoa bean.  These cocoa beans are mixed with sugar and mashed together on a large stone using an implement that looks like a fat rolling pin also made from stone.

Phil and I get carried away with the chocolate -- buying four packages but it is so good.   There is no milk in it -- just pure chocolate and sugar.

The Dancers!

After the chocolate demonstration -- we have the dancers.   They wear traditional Mexican dresses which we learn are given to young girls with one row of flowers embroidered in various colors.  As the girls grow a layer is added each year until they have a long dress with several layers of embroidered flowers -- these dresses last a lifetime.   The music is wonderful and the dancers come into the audience to get people up and moving -- it is a lot of fun.

Chickens anyone?

Rosalea takes us on a walk through the marketplace  -- passing booths selling raw chickens, fruits, vegetables and other edible items.   We arrive at the Church -- another very simple but large structure -- where we witness a mass baptism - not an unusual occurrence here. 

Close by the Church we meet Julio and our bus --- once Julio maneuvers the small streets we are on our way to the Izapa ruins.  

Church in Tuxtla Chico, Mexico!

This is a small archaeological site -- with a ball field --- stone implements used in daily living and a sacrificial altar as well as a number of mounds.   It is brutally hot --- I need to stay in the shade so I do not hear some of Rosalea's talk but I do get the gist.   This site is thought to bridge the gap between the two most important Meso-American cultures -- the Olmecs and the Mayans.

Phil by a Sacrificial Altar at the Izapa Ruins!

Overview of Izapa Ruins!

 Back on the ship by 2:45 pm -- we drop our stuff in the room and head upstairs to the grill for a hot dog and hamburger --- tastes so good.

I go to Mass at 5:00 pm --- then at 5:30 we have another American Express cocktail party -- this time many more people come.

Dinner at 8 is uneventful --- no sign of our friendly Sommelier.

Thanks for Reading!

Pat