On our way home - visiting the Oropeza family in their home town, Puebla. They shared with us many lovely sights and their family made us feel right at home. We treasure their friendship and the many memories of times we have shared.

Sunday was a day for taking pictures of the family at the chapel and at their home. (L to R) MiMí (recently returned from her mission to Guadalajara and studying to be a physiotherapist), me, Gerhard, Meche (the oldest daughter), their bishop, Cristina (the oldest daughter), her husband, Sis. Oropeza, Isabel (who is a nurse), Bro. Oropeza. Us with Mercedes and her children Aisha and Miguel David. Meche has been a widow for a year, since her husband was killed in a car accident.
Monday we participated in their daily routine, as they care for Meche's children while she works as a nurse. First we took Miguel David to school and then Aisha to her school, checked on the homes they have built for their daughters, and ate a hot snack of tortillas at a stand they eat at.

They wanted to show us a real mercado de abastos, so one morning we went to buy fruit, vegetables, and chicken for Sis. Oropeza to fix some comida poblana. The boys at the pollo amarillo stand were quite the gallos :) Bro. Oropeza suggested toronja para la lonja!
At home, Sis. Oropeza fixed a delicacy--huitlacoche quesadillas. I was hoping to get a comment from the familyabout the huitlacoche, and Katherine remembered it from Medina's class as an hongo that grew on corn...the mexican truffle. Ann showed some interest, but didn't want to try it now. An article on Wikipedia with pictures shows the fungus growing on the corn.
Aisha loves to fix Isabel's hair and play with dishes.
We had to see the statue of the China Poblana, whose lovely light colored skin turned green when it was cleaned recently. Another day we passed by her house which is now a hotel and restaurant, and is next to the church where she is buried. The present owner told us her story and showed us artifacts, including the original door of the house.
According to the story, she fled from China to Mongolia, then was brought to Puebla where she served as a kitchen maid until the son of the family wanted to marry her. That was unthinkable, so she spent the rest of her life taking care of the poor. She invented the typical dress of Puebla.
Aisha went for an afternoon walk with us, but she was more interested in getting a hug from Doctor Simi, the mascot of the Farmacias Similares.
Before we left Mérida, we promised Brother González that we would eat cemitas in Puebla in his honor, and the Oropezas knew just where to go. Nine big sandwiches (tortas look puny, now) provided dinner for the family.

In nearby Atlixo, we saw the greenhouses that provide flowers for many parts of Mexico. They are geared up for Christmas with many different shades of poinsettias, not just the typical red. This greenhouse had some fancy creatures made from flowers.

Cholula is famous as the town with 365 churches, counting each tower as a church. Here we wandered through a museum of archaeological treasures that were unearthed under the Cathedral. In making a tunnel under it, a pyramid was discovered on top of another pyramid.
The story of Cholula is typical of the thriving city of indigenas almost exterminated, then subjugated by the Spanish, where cultures were blended to create an amazing Tesoro de la Humanidad, that retains fascinating elements of several cultures.

The early frosty mornings hadn't diminished the beauty of the poinsettia trees

The Church in the town where Sis. Oropeza's ancestors lived. She still has family there.
Flocks of these white birds were all along the way in rural areas. Gerhard was interested in the fields of amaranth that were ready for harvesting.


The roofed pyramid of Cacaxtla has beautiful paintings that would be destroyed by the elements. There is a periquera similar to that found in the Paquimé ruins.


Street signs in Braille The "Frosting House" decorated to look like a wedding cake and thus win the heart of a lovely señorita.
The Governor's Palace by day Most of the buildings are decorated with tiles in Talavera style. We priced some Talavera ware in the shops so when we were at a market we would know if prices were raised for the "gringa."
The Catedral--plans for its construction should have gone to Peru :)
The iron fence around the square is adorned with figures like these
Our night time walking tour --
The University building that Bro. Oropeza and his group planned to capture in the 1960's when he was a Communist student leader. The story of what they went through to be married and to join the Church shows them as real heroes.

A night market The artists' street The Governor's Palace illuminated

The lovely Capilla del Rosario next door to a display representing the altares which are built each year to celebrate the Days of the Dead. They are very elaborate with many figures, pictures of loved ones and offerings of food and flowers. While we were admiring this one, people came to dismantle it, so we felt fortunate to have seen this example of native culture.

Tuesday morning we went to the Mexico City Temple where Brother Oropeza is a sealer on Saturdays when the stakes in Puebla go, and Sister Oropeza is a temple worker. The grounds were being decorated with thousands of poinsettias, and lights were being placed in all the trees.

The Visitors Center missionaries gave us a presentation in front of the statue of the Christus. The recorded words of Christ almost gave me the impression that He was really speaking to me.
One room had a display of the history of the church in Mexico, and this section was focused on the Mormon Colonies--a little touch of home!

It is always amazing to realize that for almost 10 years, Mexico has had 12 temples. The Tijuana temple has been announced and will soon be built, making 13 total.
We don't know if the CCM has been remodeled since Ted was there 20 years ago, but we remembered his telling us that he could look out his window and see the temple, and it was very impressive to him.
One little wish didn't get realized because there just wasn't enough time. I would have loved to see inside the Museo de Historia del Mormonismo en Mexico, since that is where the books of Sixta came from that Pres. Gómez sent.