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At some point towards the end of my second stay in Puebla, I was sitting in my hostel on a Sunday morning after a not-so-wild night of partying and was in the mood for a little walk or some kind of movement. It was around mid-morning and the day lay peacefully and completely unplanned ahead of me. As Sundays are always family days in Mexico and sights, squares and the city are generally populated by families, I had never really taken a relaxed stroll through the streets of Puebla on a Sunday before. So it was time to finally do it. The streets of Puebla were actually quite quiet and there wasn't too much going on on the Zócalo either. At some point, I dived into the side streets near my hostel and found the relaxed hustle and bustle of this market. Unfortunately, I can't tell you exactly where this market was, but I'm pretty sure it's not the only Sunday market in Puebla. So you can simply ask the locals and they will direct you to a market 😊 At the market I found were mainly antiques, homemade jewellery and some truly unique pieces. I found a guitar pretty striking, that was made of metal and decorated with metal. Meaning a guitar as a sculpture. There were also all kinds of second-hand CDs and books and lots of vintage stuff or things that you might sometimes find at your grandma's house. A very sweet market with a great atmosphere and a very relaxed vibe. And all this on a beautiful sunny Sunday. Go or not? That's up to you, of course. Especially without directions :D But what I can say is that a walk on a Sunday morning is sometimes quite good 😉

In English Historic Zone of the Military - at least that's what I assume - is a kind of park with monuments and museums. You get here partly what you expect and partly not. The Zona Histórica de los Fuertes is basically a park with museums on Puebla's military history and also has a few statues related to the subject. It's not necessarily everyone's thing, but why not. The thing that attracted me personally is the viewpoint. I love! viewpoints and absolutely never miss one, if there is one. This one here - the one in Puebla - is admittedly not super cool, but I still think it's worth a visit. You have a beautiful view of Puebla from a kind of elegantly curved platform - yes I said curved, it's not a ‘usual’ viewpoint - and then you can see if you want to look at one of the military statues/sculptures. I was at a huge Mexico flag “waving in the wind” made of stone and a…. To be honest, I haven't the slightest clue how to describe this. It was like a kind of plateau, with several arms sticking out of the water and protecting the surroundings with cannons, while a man riding a horse is enthroned on the front one. Standing out in front on the ground are normal-sized metal men. And these plateau arms etc all stand in what I personally assume is a large and shallow waterbed/fountain. So there are water fountains, but I still wouldn't call it a fountain. Not the burner, but if you're there anyway, why not. :D Go or not go? I think it's worth it for the viewpoint. I wouldn't include it in the tops, but it would be one of the first things I would do if I could manage. 😊

The Mercado de Sabores Poblanos is a bit off the beaten track and is definitely not a main attraction or a must-have-seen, but I had time and was curious to see what a market in Puebla looks like that is not right in the centre and where tourists almost certainly never appear.  Also, the pictures I saw online looked as if the Mercado de Sabores Poblanos would not be the classicly crowded, chaotic and cramped place that pretty much all markets in Mexico are, but rather in a tall, large and modern building. I hadn't seen anything like it before and I didn't afterwards either. The Mercado de Sabores Poblanos lives up to the promise of the pictures. It is clean, tidy and more like a canteen in terms of atmosphere and ambience. Very weird, but also very interesting. There are even signs on the ceiling that say ‘Tamal’ or ‘Taco’ and yes, as I suspected: not a single tourist. Nevertheless, the market was not really full of people - possibly due to the time of day. Like yes of course there were people there, but it was nothing compared to a normal Mexican market. Afterwards I went to the neighbouring Paseo Bravo, a long park/passage, where it was actually quite sweet and peaceful. Locals were chilling on the benches, there was a bouncy castle, a statue that reminded of someone and yes. It was cute :D And here too: very peaceful, totally relaxed and absolutely safe. Go or not? I personally found it interesting, but both are more for the curious among you who have time to spare and want to see something off the beaten track that isn't actually touristy at all, but simply part of Mexican life.

Like in every city I visit, I went on a discovery tour in Puebla and just tried to follow my curiosity. I passed all sorts of different corners of Puebla and was able to soak up the vibe a little. Puebla is like a perfect mix of city flair, a lively vibe and relaxation. There's always something going on at the Zócalo and its surroundings. Nevertheless, the atmosphere is relaxed. There are also sometimes slightly crazy wooden constructions around the Parían market, which I think are supposed to support houses. Really fascinating. If you then wander around the side streets, it quickly becomes quieter, but still remains relaxed. What I mean by that is safety. In general, I found Mexico to be much safer when I was travelling than it is generally portrayed in Europe. This was also the case in Puebla. Even if a street is quieter and there are fewer people, it's not a problem, but still fine. At the same time, Puebla is one of those places where the center is really interesting, but when you reach the smaller and side streets it rather looks like any other Mexican city and you quickly get the feeling that you have seen everything. Nevertheless, there is still life here and I think it's definitely worth a stroll. Especially because you always discover something somewhere. Plus, I discovered these delicious mini cinnamon pastries that I literally could have bathed in. That by simply letting myself get lost a little in the streets. I will admit though, that that was still close to the centre. Personally, I would describe Puebla as lively and vibrant, but not chaotic and too crowded. Simply lively and chilled. This is particularly noticeable when you visit Puebla's markets, the main shopping street or the Zócalo. Yes, it's lively, but without the hustle and bustle of the big city, in my opinion. Go or not? I'm always in favour of wandering around a bit and getting to know a place in a different way. So one hundred per cent! 😊

In every city that I visit, sooner or later I go on a discovery tour or follow tips from locals, return to places that I had previously noted in my mind because I found them interesting or whatever. In Puebla, apart from a few buildings and places that I wanted to check out on my discovery tour through the streets of Puebla, these were sights that don't fall under the main sights of Puebla. At least most of them don't. Puebla Library: I discovered the Biblioteca Palafoxiana in Puebla online when I googled sights in Puebla. As I'm not only crazy about books, but also love the charm and atmosphere of old libraries, I went there. For all book and library fans: a very sweet place. As I could more or less see everything from the door, I decided not to pay the entrance fee. Go or not? You can if you like old libraries, but you don't have to :D😊 Museo de la Talavera Poblana Armando: This museum is totally hidden in the centre and looks more like a shop when you look in from the outside. That's why I actually went in and suddenly I was standing in a museum. I'm not really interested in ceramics or museums like this, but the lady who runs the museum was so friendly and sweet that I decided to visit the museum without further ado. And on top of that, I also got some sweet memories, which were even captured on camera :D Go or not? No, unless you're interested. But the people there are very nice 😊 Pasaje Histórico 5 de Mayo: The underground tunnels of Puebla are... completely underrated in my opinion. Honestly. It's somewhere between funny, scary and interesting down there. And no matter who you are, walking through tunnels underground that are either lit normally or with blue light and tell a story while you walk through, play music or are accompanied by dripping noises.... Like I was very surprised. Positively, of course. I don't think I paid an entrance fee, which was also a positive surprise. The tunnels are not long so it's a 15-minute quick visit. But I think it's very cool! Go or not? Yes! I think it's worth trying to include this on the Itinerary Puebla. It's an absolute insider tip in my opinion, because there was hardly anyone there, which made the atmosphere really undergroundy :D La Estrella de Puebla: Unfortunately very far off the beaten track near a shopping centre - which is also how I discovered it. I had to get something and then thought to myself <>. From the Estrella de Puebla you have a great view of the mountains in the background and... as I actually had the time on my second visit to Puebla and got on one of the gondolas just before sunset... It was really nice, I have to admit. :D Go or not? The shit is really too far away to squeeze it into the Itinerary - unfortunately. So if you need to get something in a shopping centre or really have time to kill, then yes. Otherwise, as much as I hate to say it, it's not worth the long journey.

San Pedro Cholula, like many other small towns or rather villages, is a pueblo mágico. You can recognise them by their signs and their - at least usually - proximity to a larger town or city. This means that pueblos mágicos are usually quite suitable for a day trip. It is not directly the reason why pueblos mágicos become pueblos mágicos. They rather all have a special historical heritage and are not so overrun by tourism or are somewhat more difficult to reach than perhaps larger towns or other places. San Pedro Cholula has a very special attraction: a church on a mountain. And I confess - although I am absolutely not religious - that the church and the view from the mountain attracted me so much that I went there for a day trip. Apart from that, there's not much else in San Pedro Cholula, to be honest. But from the start. I arrived in bright sunshine and a cloudless sky, walked through the streets of San Pedro Cholula, took photos, strolled through a few small markets and slowly walked towards the yellow church on the hill - that's right, the yellow church. That obviously is part of the reason why the church in San Pedro Cholula is considered special. It is yellow. Shortly before the ascent, there is also the sign and then you go up a very easy path and a few slightly steeper steps and you're there 😊 The view is - honestly - fantastic and well worth the walk. As I couldn't go into the church at that time because it was closed, I decided to pass the time a little and have a look around San Pedro Cholula - plus I was hungry :D As soon as I had found a relatively cosy place to sit and eat - I had made myself sandwiches (I know terrible German) - I realised how much the sky had darkened and how windy it had become. And yes, the thought <> went through my mind. A few minutes later, the sky came crushing down and the world around got washed away by pouring rain. As it's usually the case in Mexico, this doesn't last very long. These rain showers are usually over within a maximum of 45 minutes and then everything dries again in no time at all, the sky clears up and soon it looks as if nothing had ever happened - apart from the fact that you can often still see the wetness a little, of course. So after the rain - to be honest, I didn't want to be back in Puebla after sunset - I went back to the cathedral and.... The view with pure sunshine and a cloudless sky was really great! But the sky, the colours, the atmosphere and also how the sun then made its way through the clouds again.... That wasn't bad either. The atmosphere was simply incredible and so I'm today very glad that I took pictures before and after. The photos from before the rain are beautiful, the others are interesting. I wouldn't want to miss either experience. Unfortunately, the inside of the cathedral was not very spectacular, but rather mediocre. If I hadn't been able to take these wonderful photos of the changed view and sky, I would probably have travelled back to Puebla a little disappointed. Instead I chatted with Mexicans about the spectacle at the sky, took some wonderful photos - you absolutely have to go up to the viewing platform at the church - and had a roundabout wonderful day, arriving happily back in Puebla at the end :D 😊 Go or not? I actually found the church in San Pedro Cholula and the view one of the most worthwhile things I've done in and around Puebla. Therefore 100%!

Cinco de Mayo is a really big festival in Puebla with a parade, a fair, cultural and dance performances and the whole city is on its feet, celebrating, having fun and there's something going on everywhere. So you would think I had planned to be in Puebla for Cinco de Mayo. Guess what was actually the case. :D Exactly! I didn't have the slightest clue. I literally set off that day with the people I got on well with from the hostel and well.... After we discovered the first roadblocks, we followed the crowds and suddenly found ourselves on a road that was completely fenced off and where everyone was already sitting and there was legitimately nowhere left to stand. As I know such situations from the Cologne Carnival - except that there I'm never late because I know when to be where for a good spot - I sort of took the lead and looked for a reasonably okay spot. It was completely full. So finding a good spot would have been utopian. When it finally started and the first military groups came marching along, I thought to myself that they apparently simply start with the military. But guys, I've never ever seen so much military in a parade. It was military group after military group after military group and at some point I really wondered if we were going to see anything other than military groups. Because... it was really a lot `:D At some point it became a little less military and finally it was really colourful and very interesting. 😊 There were groups of all kinds, colours and purposes. What particularly impressed me personally was a mountain of people representing a volcano, a huge snake that wound its way along the street on wheels and a woman who sang Mexican hymns live on top of the float - unfortunately she drove past too fast to make a decent video. After the parade - it was really long! But also cool 😊 - was over, we moved on and discovered the fair at the top of the large military park in Puebla. I admit that fairs are basically very similar all over the world. But of course there are still things that don't exist everywhere or are different. One thing that kept surprising me throughout my time in Mexico, for example, is how much more generous Mexicans are when it comes to ziplining or other activities for which you would actually rather travel to a place with a fantastic view, for example. My personal highlight was actually a mirror that stood at an angle to a printed picture of a magnificent castle room lying on the floor. I wasn't so much interested in the splendour as I was in the play with the mirror - as you will no doubt notice from the photo :D On the same day or the next day - unfortunately I can't remember exactly - I went out on my own and saw a theatre and then dance performance in the foyer of what probably was a cultural centre. Completely by coincidence. It was really cool and interesting and.... It's unbelievable what a huge cultural treasure there is on this planet. Cinco de Mayo, yes or no? I would say that depends on what type of person you are. Personally, I thought it was great and incredibly fascinating and I'm extremely happy to have happened to be in Puebla at that time. Nevertheless, I don't think that this kind of hustle and bustle is for everyone. I would therefore recommend deciding on an individual basis. Although you do get a completely different feel for the culture of the country you are travelling in at such a public holiday. I personally remember that the atmosphere was really great and you could feel the pride of the people from Puebla 😊 So if you're near Puebla and it's Cinco de Mayo, I would highly recommend making a stopover in Puebla if you're not completely shy. Because I personally just loved it. And you don't experience something like this every day 😊