Barretal to Tampico

Before coming to Tampico, we stayed in a little town named Barretal outside of Ciudad Victoria. We were close to the city but felt we were too tired to hit the city, and it is much cheaper staying in little towns. The hotel we stayed at was fantastic. Yesterday, we drove to Tampico and as we were tired, we hit the first hotel we saw. We weren't very impressed overall but today we came to the center of town, and are we ever glad that we did. The architecture is AMAZING, the plaza is beautiful, there are people everywhere enjoying themselves, and there is a lot to see and do. But enough, on to the photos. I am tired.

Outside our hotel room in Barretal. The hotel had these beautiful trees, and all around the yard were orange trees. They had beautiful grounds with two outdoor pools and some picnic areas.

We went for a walk in Barretal and stopped in front of this church. The man in charge of the church happened to be there locking us up and asked if we wanted to see inside. We told him we didn't want to be a hassle but he insisted.

This is Jesus, who lays in a glass coffin-like case near the front of the church.

This is the view from the back of the church.

The next day, we were on the road again. This is a very tame curve on our way to the really crazy road. This curve looks like a toddler's ride in Disney Land compared to what was up ahead.

This cat was sure he'd have his day in paradise if he just waited long enough.


Near the end of a sort of pier that served as a breakwater (I think) that had a light at the end. It was a super long walk to get to the end, and the whole way there were people fishing off the edges. The water on the left was crazy and huge waves were breaking against the pier, splashing water over the edge and spraying us with salt water.

Holly LOVES hugs!


Shawn navigating the streets of Tampico in El Centro (downtown)


Parking downtown before we go into the hotel.


Our cute hotel room. The ceilings are high, and we have three single beds.

Getting Jamaica juice from the ice cream / juice / churro store. Everywhere in Mexico they have juice for sale and it is usually served from these huge containers into plastic cups or little plastic bags with a straw. Jamaica juice is made from flowers. YUM!



Vendors along a side street.


Awesome architecture!


A church!


Check out this fancy shoe store!


But if you looked just to the left of that other shoe store, you saw this shoe store, DESTROYER!


The circus was in town, and to promote themselves, they had parked zoo like trucks around the plaza with wild animals in them. They were circus trucks like you see in children's books where the back is a huge cage. Holly took this awesome pic of one of the lions.


In the central plaza.

More architecure and the street.

These dresses are meant for girls celebrating their quincinera, their 15th birthday, a very special age that is celebrated with as much enthusiasm as a wedding.

And that is it for tonight!