SusanInToronto

I love tacos arabe - so good!

CounterClifton

Daniel - so the optica shops are still there. They must be doing business. Wonder if there's that many more eye problems in Puebla than most places or if it's a fashion thing? Just interesting little daily life things that catch a person's attention while travelling.

Thanks again for the chat about a great city.

baldone

You'll often see, in Mexico City for example, certain streets where shops are mostly dedicated to one particular product or service. Such as pastelerias, hardware, cell phones, wedding dresses, etc. Maybe that's the deal with opticians in Puebla?

CounterClifton

Not sure baldone, but we kept seeing different streets that were like that one Daniel saw on the way to his hotel. I think we were up to something like 40 within a dozen blocks of the zocalo in various directions

There was a street like you describe in Puebla though which did talavera tiles. Well worth going and poking around

schew

Thanks for sharing, I'm definitely making a trip to Puebla and Cholula. Would you recommend the hotel/hostel you stayed at? I'm only looking for a place accessible and affordable for 2 days.

Daniel_Williams

Hi schew

I stayed at NH Puebla which is a chain. It was very central (2 blocks from the zocalo), modern with a small pool and gym. I would recommend although some prefer cheaper or a place with colonial charm. I think I managed to get for $70/night if I remember correctly.

Best wishes. Daniel

baldone

We've stayed at Hotel El Colonial, I think singles are abut $42 US at today's rate. We've also stayed at the Royalty (didn't care for) and Suites La Concordia. The latter has small kitchenettes. Similar price as Colonial. Colonial has one of the best locations in centro, and with double pane windows, it's super quiet.

cybor

Nice report. Thanks for sharing.

Daniel_Williams

Baldone has given me good advice in the past. I'm jealous that he's closer to Puebla and can visit more regularly!

Thanks for reading and putting up with the syntax errors--more frequent I find doing a trip report on a smart phone.

JohnH

I've never ventured beyond Mexico City mainly because my Spanish is...limited to put it mildly. How much a problem do you think that would be in Puebla? Or Oaxaca for that matter?

Daniel_Williams

JohnH-- If your Spanish is limited to put it mildly that to me means you know something. I can't address your question as my Spanish is reasonably advanced so this was not a concern for me but I suspect with your efforts combined with theirs you'd manage--bottom line, I would not let your Spanish deter you. I met a number of people in Puebla who spoke English well (particularly in the service industry) although one can't assume.

baldone

Agree with Daniel. Don't let what you might feel is a lack of fluency stop you. It's the best way to improve. But if you've managed in CDMX, I think you'd do fine in either Puebla or Oaxaca. If you're going as a tourist, like Daniel said, many restaurants, hotels, etc. will have someone that knows at least some English. Probably more so in Oaxaca, as it's more of a tourist destination. If you have a smart phone with a plan that gives you data in Mexico, I've found Uber drivers tend to know more English than the regular taxistas. Plus, you can type in your destination instead of having to tell them. And a picture on your phone can be a big help when trying to ask for something that you don't know the name of. I do that often in the hardware store, since you'll probably never be taught how to say "toggle bolt" in Spanish class.

CounterClifton

John,

I wouldn't say that there was a LOT of English spoken in Puebla. The hotel would usually have a person or two that spoke English but many shops and restaurants didn't (though some menus had an english translation).

We had a great time all the same and never had a problem communicating what we wanted.

That said, we've been to number of countries where we hadn't been able to absorb more than the niceties ahead of time and they always work out to be a good time.

JohnH

Thanks everyone, seems like it won't be too much of an issue.

cybor

Not to stereo type but Mexicans are very patient people who will take the time to help try to figure out what you mean.
There's also many signs in English and Spanish. Not all, but many in public places.
Also, there are quite a few apps that can take a picture of a sign or something on the menu and translate it for you. There are also many apps that you or someone else can speak into to translate.
Best to learn a few basics, I want, how much, where is, what time, numbers/peso system and as mentioned, the niceties and you'll be fine.