María Elena Velasco (La India Maria) was born in Puebla, Mexico’s 4th largest city. Let’s take a closer look.
Puebla is a city in east-central Mexico, southeast of Mexico City. It’s known for its culinary history, colonial architecture and pottery. The painted Talavera tiles adorning numerous buildings are locally produced. The Renaissance-era Puebla Cathedral has tall bell towers and overlooks the central square, the Zócalo. Museo Amparo offers an extensive display of pre-Hispanic art, such as ceramics and mural fragments.
― Google
Puebla has an elevation of 7,005 ft, tempering it’s low latitude (19°02′N). It is the forth largest city in Mexico, with a metro population of 3,344,000.
It rarely gets truly hot in Puebla, with an average of only three days seeing temperatures rise above 29 °C (84 °F). Night temperatures are cool at all times of the year. – Wikipedia
Getting There
Volcanoes of Mexico
Puebla is surrounded by volcanos.
Puebla is located at the Valley of Puebla also known as the Valley of Cuetlaxcoapan, a large valley surrounded on four sides by the mountains and volcanoes of the Trans-Mexican volcanic belt. It is located 40 kilometres (25 miles) east of the Popocatépetl and Iztaccíhuatl volcanoes, giving residents views of their snow-topped peaks. Due to the proximity to the Popocatépetl, Puebla is some times exposed to the ash and dust that emanate from the volcano during its active periods, the most recent occurring on 19 May 2023.
The highest volcano in Mexico is Pico de Orizaba (also known as Citlaltépetl). It’s not only the tallest volcano in Mexico but also the third-highest peak in North America, standing at an impressive 5,636 meters (18,491 feet) above sea level. Pico de Orizaba is a dormant stratovolcano located on the border between the states of Puebla and Veracruz.
Elder G
Iztaccíhuatl
Iztaccíhuatl, dormant volcano situated on the México-Puebla state line in central Mexico. It lies 10 miles (16 km) north of its twin, Popocatépetl, and 40 miles (65 km) south-southeast of Mexico City. Iztaccíhuatl (from the Nahuatl for “white woman”) has three summits, the highest one reaching 17,159 feet (5,230 m), but no crater. As seen from the federal capital, the snow-covered peaks resemble the head, breast, and feet of a recumbent woman—hence the popular designation of sleeping woman. Iztaccíhuatl last erupted in 1868.
Popocatépetl, volcano on the border of the states of México and Puebla, central Mexico. Popocatépetl lies along Mexico’s Cordillera Neo-Volcánica at the southern edge of the Mexican Plateau, 10 miles (16 km) south of its twin, Iztaccíhuatl, and 45 miles (72 km) southeast of Mexico City. The perpetually snowcapped, symmetrical cone of Popocatépetl rises to an elevation of 17,930 feet (5,465 metres), surpassed only by Mexico’s tallest volcano, Pico de Orizaba (18,406 feet [5,610 metres]).
The first Spanish ascent of Popocatépetl is thought to have been made in 1522 by Hernán Cortés’s men, who needed to acquire sulfur for the manufacture of gunpowder. After lying inactive for more than 70 years, Popocatépetl erupted in December 1994, causing an ashfall over Puebla. Volcanic activity recurred in March and October 1996, as well as in April 1997, and in December 2000 thousands of villagers were forced to evacuate after another eruption.
La romántica leyenda del volcán Popocatépetl y el Iztaccíhuatl It is said in Mexico that these two mountains represent a maiden and a young Tlaxcalan warrior who lived a Shakespearean love story.
The Popocatépetl and Iztaccíhuatl volcanoes are the second and third highest mountains in Mexico and one of its most iconic natural landscapes.
Legend has it that these two mountains represent a maiden and a young Tlaxcalan warrior; Popocatépetl and Iztaccíhuatl. Iztaccíhuatl was the most beautiful Tlaxcalan princess ever seen and she deposited her love in the young Popocatépetl, one of the most handsome and brave warriors of his people.
They say that before leaving for the war that the Tlaxcaltecas were engaged in against their bitter enemies , the Aztecs, Popocatépetl asked the chief of his people for the hand of Princess Iztaccíhuatl. The chief granted it to him, but on the condition that he return safe and sound from the war to marry her.
Thus, the warrior set off for battle while the princess awaited the return of her love. However, the viperous tongue of a jealous rival of Popocatepetl intervened in bad faith, deceiving the princess and informing her that her beloved had died in combat. Dragged by grief and sorrow, unaware of her deception, it is said of that beautiful princess that she died of sadness for the loss of her beloved.
Shortly after, Popocatépetl returned victorious from his enterprise, ready to marry Iztaccíhuatl; however, upon his arrival he received the dire news of her death.
For several days and nights, it is said that the young man, dejected, wandered the streets until he found a way to honor the great love that both professed for each other , and so he ordered a great tomb to be erected under the Sun by piling up 10 hills to raise an enormous mountain.
Once built, he took the lifeless body of his princess, and laying her on the top of the mountain , he kissed her for the last time and then, smoking torch in hand, knelt down to watch over her sleep eternally. Since then they remain together. Facing each other. Over time, the snow covered their bodies, which would become two enormous volcanoes that will remain unchanged until the end of time.
That is why, when the warrior Popocatépetl remembers his beloved Iztaccíhuatl, his heart, which holds the fire of eternal passion, trembles, and his torch catches fire again . That is why, even today, the Popocatépetl volcano continues to emit plumes of smoke.
– Hector Rodriguez / National Geographic España Editor y periodista especializado en ciencia y naturaleza
Puebla’s Sister Cities
Wonsan, North Korea
Wonsan (Korean pronunciation: [wʌn.san]), previously known as Wonsanjin (元山津), is a port city and naval base located in Kangwon Province, North Korea, along the eastern side of the Korean Peninsula, on the Sea of Japan and the provincial capital.
In 2013, it was announced that Wonsan would be converted into a summer destination with resorts and entertainment. Having spent his childhood years there, Kim Jong Un has expressed significant interest in developing the region, with the construction of new infrastructure such as Kalma Airport, a dual-use civilian international airport and military proving ground.
Wonsan has long been a popular tourism destination for both Koreans and international visitors. Attractions include Songdowon beach, the site of the Songdowon International Children’s Union Camp, which maintains exceptionally clear and clean water. Pine trees are abundant in the surrounding area, and it has been designated a national sightseeing point. The nearby Kalma Peninsula is to feature a new hotel and a bathing area.
Remember when President Trump ditched New York and made Florida his official residence? North Korea analysts think leader Kim Jong Un has pulled the same move, Hermit Kingdom-style.
When it comes to Kim’s health, he’s likely still not dead, though he hasn’t been seen since May 1 when he visited a fertilizer factory. He may not even be sick, despite COVID-19. Turns out the Rocketman prefers his massive seaside estate in Wonsan as much as Trump loves Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach.
And size matters when it comes to presidential getaways. It certainly did to Dennis Rodman when he was feted by his “friend for life” Kim when he first visited Wonsan in 2013, calling it “like Hawaii or Ibiza, but he’s the only one who lives there.”
“You could fit six Mar-a-Lagos in Kim’s compound,” Michael Madden, an analyst with 38 North, a website about North Korea, told The Post. “It’s an amazingly beautiful place where the beaches are kept combed, there are yachts and dinner boats, everything you’d want in this enormous space.”
Kim’s got about 15 different villas scattered around the country as well as a lavish mansion in the heart of the capital, Pyongyang. But only his hideaway in Wonsan, in the province of Kangwon, has swimming pools, tennis courts, soccer fields, waterslides and a sports stadium all fronting east North Korea’s beautiful Sea of Japan’s beaches.
“The Kim family lives there in tremendous luxury while the Korean people suffer,” Sean King, an Asian expert at Park Strategies told the Post. “They are like an organized crime family masquerading as a nation state.”
Surrounded by adoring subjects, but you still have to ride the ski lift by yourself.
We asked Elder G why would Puebla ever team up with a city in North Korea. We applaud Elder G’s diplomacy:
That’s an intriguing connection! The sister city relationship between **Puebla, Mexico** and **Wonsan, North Korea** is somewhat unusual given the differences between the two countries. This type of relationship usually forms as a way to foster cultural, economic, or political ties, but the exact origins of this specific partnership are a bit mysterious and likely rooted in diplomatic efforts.
Here are some factors that could explain how Puebla and Wonsan became sister cities:
1. Diplomatic Outreach:Mexico has had formal diplomatic relations with North Korea since 1980, although the relationship has not always been strong or high-profile. Sister city relationships often emerge as part of diplomatic outreach to create bonds between cities, despite the broader political differences between their countries.
2. Cultural Exchange: Sister city agreements can sometimes focus on encouraging cultural exchanges and mutual understanding. Puebla, with its rich historical and cultural heritage, might have sought to build bridges with a variety of international cities, including ones in countries like North Korea, that might otherwise be difficult to connect with.
3. Economic Cooperation: Wonsan is a port city with economic significance, and Puebla is a major manufacturing hub, especially in the automotive industry. Though direct economic ties between the cities may not be prominent, the relationship could have been seen as a way to explore potential trade opportunities.
The origins of this particular pairing may not be well-publicized, so its establishment likely reflects broader, behind-the-scenes diplomatic gestures rather than any single, clear event.
