Toluca Cuota

Saturday, Raul and I needed to go to Home Depot, but having missed our exit for Interlomas, we found ourselves on the Toluca Cuota (tollway), on our way to the capital of Mexico -- Toluca. Capital of the State of Mexico, that is. We didn't have to go all the way to Toluca, home of industry and of chorizo sausage, but we did have to pay $54MP (about $5US) and it took us a few miles before we could turn around, so we enjoyed the scenery and the crazy roadside vendors.

Later that day, when our friends C&J heard of our accidental trip, they were excited to hear that the jack-o-lanterns were out, and we made a date to spend Labor Day on the Toluca Cuota. We hit all of the jack-o-lantern vendors (purchasing 5 ceramic pumpkins between the two families). Toluca is even higher than Mexico City in elevation (8700 ft) and reminded me of the Appalachians with the mountains capped in clouds, roadside pottery/craft stalls, little Mom&Pop restaurants serving trout and rabbit, and friendly dogs wandering in hordes around trucks on cinderblocks.

We ate at one of the roadside restaurants, picking one from many because it had other customers. Some people spend their time in Mexico fearful of the food, thinking that the more low-class it is, the less sanitary, and therefore miss all of the best of Mexican cuisine. Our little place had a Mexican businessman eating there (always a good sign), and the food came out piping hot and delicious from the foil-wrapped wood-burning stove right at one end of the tiny "dining room."

Pork tacos with nopales (cactus) and avocado on blue corn tortillas. Next week's goal: take photos in focus.