Taxco: so much more than a silver shopping stop

We keep trying to figure out what it reminds us of and I think I’ve figured it out. It’s a compilation of many places: Rome, Greece, Portugal and Peru … oh and Mexico.

Our hotel has an expansive view.

Rose mole first night.

A cable car to a hotel high in the mountains overlooking the city.

Coffee music: you reach for cream, I reach for you

Sadly the Level 4 (do not travel) did cramp our style a bit. We didn’t feel comfortable jumping in a local bus to see the blue pools and we were much more uncomfortable than usual in dark alleys. And I guess we generally kept a closer eye on stuff around us.

On the other hand we were reassured by all the families arriving for the weekend. This city was packed with tourists and while I’m sure many spoke English we heard none except when it became clear a few words would help close the sale. We did a meet a couple (English speaking ) from Acapulco that encouraged us to visit.

Our first day in Taxco was fun but the traffic was worse and more bizarre than any place we have been. The roads were constantly completely filled with bumper to bumper traffic . There was backing up of whole lines of traffic to allow passage of a truck. There was not infrequent need for a firm back pressing against adobe walls to let a car squeeze by inches away. And when there was a little space a motorcycle zoomed in. Interestingly it was all done calmly and fairly carefully… unlike traffic in other countries. Cabs were easy to find, as well as colectivos because they just constantly circled the city… lots a little white beetles.

While the traffic made it a slow process to explore on foot or by put putt (maybe faster by motorcycle) it was fun to watch the city gear up for a night of music, food and of course drink. We probably would have been too level 4 intimidated to join the Barreda callejoneada had we not been encouraged by a friend of a friend hotel owner in Taxco. We were of course also the oldest ones and I think the only ones who didn’t know the words to any of the songs. That said we had a great time climbing through the little walkways of the city, accompanied by mariachis and unlimited shots of mescal. It ended with a somewhat malfunctioning firecracker bull a few feet away (glad I drank the mezcal). It was a fantastic way to see the city at night with beautiful music and a truly fun loving group (even if we didn’t know w

While we wound our way through the city, in the dark with strangers all drinking too much mezcal I noticed my phone said there had been a mass shooting at an in and out burger in the US.

I knew this was a city for silver shopping but I don’t think if it’s possible to be prepared for thousands of silver shops…. Inside, outside, on top of and underneath…. I do mean everywhere. I certainly wasn’t and given that I’m more likely to wear titanium earrings so I don’t cry when I lose them I had no idea if the prices were good. I do know it’s easy to stuff them in your suitcase… so I did!

The second full day in Taxco was very different. It was bright and sunny and more than half the traffic had disappeared. Too chicken to hire a cab to explore the surrounding areas, we opted for more wandering. I’m glad we did.