The Point Pleasant register. [volume] (Point Pleasant, W. Va.) 1909-1939, 1910-06-29


Uruapan. the western terminus
of the Mexican National rail.
road. is in the state Of Michoa-
can. few hours ride from
Patzcuaro.
The scenery along the line IS bean.
tlfuI, while the engineering skill dis.
played is as fine as any in the re,
public 1t was to me thrilling ride
and was half glad. half sorry when it
ended. We found the station filed
with Indians who came down every
day to see the train arrive. 1t is a
marvellous sight to them. especially
the engine.
The next thing 10 cause smile was
the conveyance 10 take US to town.
Originally fiat car. 1t now had can.
vas top for shelter and two long wood
en- benches for seats. Sturdy looking
mules stood harnessed to this affair.
as impatient to start as their driver.
1t was hard climb for them and not
very comfortable for the passengers.
Much of this was forgotten. however.
in the novelty OF our surroundings.
Every thing interested us: the low
adobe houses. with tiled or slate roofs,
the many coffee plantations. the pretty
side lanes (they cannot be called
Streets. where We caught glimpses OF
quantity rooted bridges spanning the
river. A recent shower had made the
air delightful. while the foliage and
flowers sparkled with rain drops.
Finally. the driver drew up. with a
grand flourish. in front OF the hotel
As soon as the room question was
settled. we started out to get another
glimpse. before dark, of this fas-
cinating town. As we turned the cor.
ner, less than block away, we came
upon a novel sight. Directly facing
us was the market plaza: here the
vendors as well as the people IN the
portales were making ready for Urua-
pans evening meal. AS six o'clock
drew near the poorer class came
pouring into the plaza from all direc.
tons. The curbstones were soon
filed with happy family groups, eating
and chatting with all their might.
Those minus a seat stood in front OF
the stands. the lights showing their
dazzling white teeth and bright. dark
eyes. In addition to the stands for
fruit. vegetables. friioles, chill con
carne, enchiladas, tortillas and many
other dishes, We noticed that one OF
the portales was entirely filed with
coffee stands.
These stands had table cloths and
very pretty bowls and plates. The
coffee was in great urns. kept hot By
curious little charcoal stoves: with
the coffee they served various kinds Of
bread, mostly sweet. Here the Gus.
toners have benches or chairs to sit
on and altogether. put Oh considerable
style. It was great fun watching
them; IN fact. the entire scene was OF
never-failing interest, especially on
market day. Sunday. Then, not only
the town people are there. but crowds
Of Indians and Medcans from the
country. Many OF them come a long
distance. walking all night in order TO
get there early in the morning. Sun.
day night the scene IS bewilderiuc;
there is scarcely an inch Of space in
the portales, along the curb stones. on
the street or in the plaza. that is not
filed with happy humanity: men.
women and children. eating. drinking
laughing. talking, selling. No quar-
reling, no crying children. everybody
well behaved and orderly. The scene
IS certainly unique. one remarkable
feature being that there IS no drunk
enness. They seem 10 indulge in cof
fee more than anything else.
Uruapan coffee, by the way. is the
quintessence Of coffee. and is served
here IN q peculiar way. They have II
on the table in glass syrup Jug
tsuch as are used in the states'D and
serve 1t cold with hot milk. With the
milk the waiter brings you a bowl and
teaspoon (you may have a cup and
saucer. If you wish, but II is better 10
mix in bowl. Two tablespoons OF
coffee to a pint OF boiling milk is
about the right proportion. at least
that made the coffee delicious to my
taste.
In the portals Of the barracks. sit.
ting on benches probably hundred
years old, are men making fine palm.
leaf hats. With an ordinary pin they