| Summary: | Old and new worlds meet in Veracruz, Mexico's oldest port city. Founded by the Spanish explorer Hernan Cortes, it has been a busy seaport for more than 500 years. The warmth of the beaches and the hospitality of the people make Veracruz an excellent stop in our travels, and the history of the city is told in its buildings, monuments, and heritage. To start our day, we visit the popular Gran Café del Portal and sample its signature drink, lechero, espresso coffee and steamed milk, before we begin our tour of the city. Pemex Tower, a lighthouse converted to a museum, has a prominent place in the skyline, but the plazas are the real heartbeat of the city. In one plaza, we pass the Juarez Hemicycle Monument in front of the Civil Registry Office, where the first birth certificate in Mexico was issued. Then we visit Fort San Juan de Ulua, which was built in 1635 as a defense against pirates and later used against foreign invasions. Just 45 minutes outside Veracruz are the ruins of Cempoala, built by the Totonac Indians between 300 and 900 AD. We view the Temple of the Winged God, the Temple of the Little Faces, and the Grand Pyramid to learn more about this ancient culture. Back in Veracruz, we stroll through the cultural center, the Plaza de las Armas, more commonly called the Zocalo, and attempt danzon, a traditional dance brought to Mexico from Cuba and adapted by the locals. Everyone is dressed in white, and they congregate in Zocalo every evening to dance and celebrate life. It's the best way to experience Veracruz's local flavor and culture.
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