| Have you ever wanted to visit a place truly blessed | | | | fort is actually located on an island, which is now |
| by nature? Well, you need not look any further, for | | | | connected to land, and is home to La Gallega coral |
| Patawalk can show you this place, endowed with a | | | | reef, now a natural reserve. This fort became a |
| paradise-like rainforest as its backyard and the | | | | military prison in the 19th century, which reminds me of |
| beautiful Gulf of Mexico as its front yard, lies just in the | | | | the Alcatraz Prison. As a prison, it became the home |
| southeastern part of Mexico and it is named: | | | | of some notorious figures such as Benito Juarez (a |
| Veracruz. | | | | former Mexican president), Fray Servando Teresa de |
| Veracruz was established by the well-known Spanish | | | | Mier (a Mexican priest who promoted the |
| conquistador, Hernan Cortes in 1519. Cortes "baptized" | | | | independence of Mexico), and Jesus Arriaga, aka |
| the city as Villa Rica de Vera Cruz (Rich Villa of the | | | | "Chucho el Roto" who can very well be compared to |
| True Cross) because of the area's wealth of gold and | | | | Robyn Hood, for he stole from the rich and gave to |
| silver and because he happened to land on Good | | | | the poor. |
| Friday. Due to its location, Veracruz became a key | | | | Veracruz is not just historical buildings, and as a matter |
| component of Spain's business in importing and | | | | fact it is home to some very modern buildings of which |
| exporting goods. | | | | the Pemex Tower is the most renown. Although it |
| Unfortunately, due to the riches of the city (mainly gold) | | | | was built in 1950 it can still be considered a modern |
| pirates were attracted to this port. As a result, the city | | | | building. Interestingly, and unlike most buildings, it is in the |
| built a fort in order to protect itself from the | | | | shape of a rectangular prism. The tower is open to the |
| callousness of the pirates. During the 16th century | | | | public for them to enjoy the smaller version of maritime |
| African slaves were brought to Veracruz to work on | | | | ports and a gallery of artifacts and photos of early |
| the sugarcane plantations as well as to help in the | | | | Veracruz. What's the best part? Well not only is it |
| shipping docks. In the 17th century a municipal palace, a | | | | open year round, but it is free! |
| monastery, and a hospital were built, and as a result | | | | Even more modern is the Veracruz Aquarium, which |
| the population began to increase. Veracruz has also | | | | was built in 1992. In fact, this aquarium is not only the |
| been the playground of two other invasions, one by | | | | largest in Latin America but also the most important. |
| France and the other one by the United States. | | | | The aquarium features 13 exhibitions with species from |
| Despite these invasions, Veracruz remains one of | | | | the continents of Africa and Asia as well as South |
| Mexico's most important ports. | | | | America. Perhaps the most popular attraction is that of |
| It is interesting to note that Veracruz is a lesser known | | | | the sharks; this is an exhibit that contains more than 20 |
| tourist destination, which personally makes it even | | | | species of sharks that swim around you as you walk |
| more attractive. Why it is not a better known | | | | through a very safe and reinforced tunnel. |
| destination is almost a complete mystery, for it has | | | | Like most port cities, Veracruz boasts of a beautiful |
| more than its share of attractions as any other popular | | | | malecon or beach strip. This beach extends along the |
| tourist destination. For instance, one particular place to | | | | Gulf of Mexico, in other words it covers various miles |
| visit here is the Plaza de las Armas (Plaza of Arms) | | | | of scenery. Whether you take a stroll during the day |
| or better known as El Zocalo. This is like the city | | | | or night, you'll see it full of life as it is filled with vendors |
| square. It is surrounded by trees and it is always a | | | | selling souvenirs, people jogging, and others just |
| busy place; people playing dominos, others selling | | | | enjoying the cool breeze. Being that it is a port city, |
| goods like cigars and snacks, people dancing or playing | | | | Veracruz has some amazing beaches. Right next to |
| live music is an everyday event in this place. So, if you | | | | the aquarium is Playa de Hornos, where it is |
| want to mingle with the locals and get a true taste of | | | | completely safe to swim and local vendors offer |
| Veracruz's culture then you must visit this area. | | | | banana rides; but if you wish to relax then sit under an |
| What set Veracruz's culture apart from the rest of the | | | | umbrella and order a refreshing fruity drink. Villa del Mar |
| Mexican Republic are the strong Caribbean and | | | | is a very popular beach, perfect for sunbathing and |
| African influences. What better way to witness this | | | | water sports. Play Marti is even better for sandy |
| rich cultural mix than by trying some of the culinary | | | | sports for it is well-equipped with nets to engage in |
| specialties. One particular tasty dish is Huachinango a la | | | | some friendly competition in a game of volleyball or |
| Veracruzana (Red Snapper Veracruz Style). This dish | | | | soccer. |
| consists of cooking a red snapper fish with a variety | | | | Veracruz is like a sleepless city, particularly at night |
| of local fruits and vegetables including chilli peppers, | | | | where people can be seen living the life until the wee |
| tomatoes, olive oil, garlic, and cappers. Caldo de | | | | hours of the morning. People gather in coffee houses |
| Mariscos (Seafood Stew or Soup) which is a stew of | | | | to chat with friends, other dress up and dance in the |
| various seafood including fish, shrimp, and octopus; oh, | | | | city's various nightclubs. Cocoo's and Beers is one |
| and rumor has it that it can cure a hangover! Pollo | | | | particular place to visit at night; here you can enjoy a |
| Encacahuatado is another traditional dish; this culinary | | | | yard of beer while chatting with friends and listening to |
| delicacy has strong African influences and it is basically | | | | the diversity of music in the background ranging from |
| chicken cooked in a special peanut sauce. Another | | | | norternas (music from the north of Mexico), to rock |
| interesting dish to our tastes buds is Carne de Chango | | | | and pop. If you're looking to do some dancing then |
| (Monkey Meat), but don't fear it is not actual monkey | | | | you'll definitely have a blast in "La Bartola" which |
| meat; in reality this dish consists of smoked pork. One | | | | features a circular bar area in the dance floor, not to |
| particular place to indulge in these heavenly delicacies | | | | mention that it is very stylish. "Los 7 Pecados" (The 7 |
| is "Las Barricas" (The Barrels) which also features a | | | | Sins) is a particularly interesting video bar and when |
| live band to accompany your meal. "La Mera Madre" is | | | | you're here don't forget to hang out on the terrace and |
| another restaurant that offers not only the typical | | | | take in the beautiful nightly view of the seawall area. |
| dishes but a very international menu. "Mariscos Ochoa" | | | | If you're looking to do a little shopping then you should |
| is a well-established restaurant that has been around | | | | most definitely visit downtown where Mercado Hidalgo, |
| for over 30 years and also features live music. | | | | Mercado Orizaba, and Plaza Acuario are located and |
| Veracruz's drink of choice is coffee and as so, the city | | | | where you'll find everything from souvenirs to |
| is filled with an array of coffee houses. The most | | | | household items. This last one, Plaza Acuario, also |
| famous coffee house is "Café de la Parroquia" | | | | features a wax museum. "Las Americas Shopping |
| where people from around the world and a multitude | | | | Mall" is a very modern shopping mall featuring |
| of celebrities have visited. This coffee house invented | | | | everything from well-known department stores to a |
| the "café lechero" which has become a staple of | | | | food court. |
| Veracruz. This drink consists of having a glass (notice | | | | Ever heard of the song, "La Bamba"? Well, this song |
| that it is not served in a cup) of coffee and the waiter | | | | made famous by Ritchie Valens is actually a folk song |
| pours (from a distance) boiling milk. Oh, and if you want | | | | of Veracruz. The original "La Bamba" is the epitome of |
| a refill all you have to do is tap your spoon against you | | | | Veracruz's typical music, which has musical influences |
| glass and the waiter will come immediately. | | | | (like the food) from Africa and the Caribbean. |
| Why not visit a piece of history and that which | | | | Now, that you're ready to visit the beautiful port of |
| propelled the increase of population: go to the Municipal | | | | Veracruz I should tell you that if you're really looking for |
| Palace. Although it was built in 1608 it still stands today | | | | adventure then you must visit during the carnival, which |
| as strong and powerful as when it was first built. This | | | | takes place in late March and early April or around |
| governmental building was built in a baroque | | | | Easter. The Veracruz Carnaval is one of the city's |
| architectural style and most astounding is a tall tower | | | | most important cultural events; it is a nine-day-long |
| that stands at one corner of the building. The tower | | | | party which has been celebrated since 1866. The |
| provides an excellent view of the port, as it was built | | | | carnival begins with the "Quema del Mal Humor" or |
| to keep watch of the port. Speaking of history why | | | | "Burning of Bad Humor (Mood)" as well as the |
| not visit the cathedral, Virgen de la Asunsion (Our Lady | | | | coronation of the Carnival Queen and the King of |
| of Assumptiion) which was built in 1731 and is | | | | Happiness. There is a total of 6 parades consisting of |
| conveniently located next to the Municipal Palace. The | | | | various floats, musical presentations and dancers. The |
| overall architectural design of this building is | | | | carnival comes to an end with the "Burial of Juan |
| breathtaking. | | | | Carnaval," which consists of a dramatic parody. |
| Another incredible site to visit is the Fort San Juan de | | | | But why not get a preview of this truly endowed port, |
| Ulua, which was the fort built to keep pirates out. This | | | | go to Patawalk and get a virtual tour! |