Had a wonderful, relaxing day today! It took me less than an hour to finish my work in the office, and then I took the bus to Comala to relax, walk around, do some shopping and have a bite to eat.
The first thing I did when I got off the bus was to go to the jardín and have a snack of tacos with pork. Then I began walking around, and there was a lot to see – vendors surrounded the jardín selling everything you can think of – food, clothing, toys, artisanal items and jewelry. Stretched across the jardín were the letters COMALA Pueblo Mágico (Comala, the magical town). There was also a stage set up where I imagine there will be music later on this evening.
After another snack of hot coffee and a pineapple empanada, I continued my walk. Two things that Colima is famous for: the Volcán de Fuego (Volcano of Fire) and the Colima Dog. This dog, Xolo (short for Xoloitzcuintle, pronounced show-low-eats-queen-tlee) has been in Mexico for over 3000 years, and can therefore claim to be the first dog of the Americas. It is believed to be a relative of the chihuahua or Mexican hairless dog.
Xolo was a multi-purpose dog, used for food, guardian of the dead, healer and watch dog. At least two different types of dogs evolved – one to be fattened up and eaten or ritually sacrificed and one to use as a guard dog.
You can find pottery Xolos all over the place here, and they have also been found in tombs of the Toltec, Aztec, Maya, Zapoteca and Colima Indians. On the way to Colima City, there is a traffic circle with two huge “dancing dogs” which legend says signify an older dog talking into the ear of a younger dog, imparting wisdom and maybe secrets.
I mention the Colima dog, because there were very large statues of it throughout the jardín today, and I am attaching pictures of some of them.
Just before I got back on the bus to return to Cofradía, I noticed a green bus labeled “The Café Bus.” It looked interesting, so I asked my friend at the office about it, and then looked it up online. Seems that it gives a 6-hour tour all about coffee, and you get to drink some on the tour also.
Even though I’m retired, I still feel as if I sometimes have coffee instead of blood in my veins, and I certainly still enjoy my caffeine, so one day in the next month or so, I will have to take the tour.
So – enjoy the pictures, and I will write a post about La Catrina shortly…..
mex-pat.org 