Usually in Mexico the center of a town is called the Zócalo. However, here in Coatepec, it is called the "parque," probably because it is too small to be a real zócalo and because here it really is a garden park. Centered on columns along the low walls surrounding the park are large pots of blooming orchids. Well planted flower beds line the flowing cobbled pathways topped by tall shade trees. The fountain has lovely tiles painted in blue and white depicting scenes from long ago.

Coatepec, recently given the designation of Pueblo Mágico by the Mexican Department of Tourism, has not changed all that much through the years. The buildings surrounding the park are colonial ones with tall wrought iron windows, large inner patios and dainty embroidered curtains. Coffee is still the main crop and the air is filled with the indescribably wonderful aroma of fresh roasted beans.

Busy during the week, on Sundays the park in Coatepec is turned over in the early evenings to families, young lovers and old folks who turn out in great numbers to enjoy a variety of activities. The street in front of City Hall is closed to traffic and the stage is set up for the band that will play all evening for those who want to dance to the “oldies but goodies” or who want to just sit and reminisce about those times. Booths are readied that will sell fresh roasted corn on the cob (slathered with mayonnaise, chili and cheese!), hand made ice cream in exotic flavors such as mango, papaya, and tequila, hot dogs wrapped in bacon and even hot cakes! Young children are given an area where they can finger paint and make other art projects under the watchful eyes of older children. Adolescent couples turn to each other, oblivious to those around them. Dogs run loose darting between legs and avoiding kicks.

People move slowly reflecting the sense of peacefulness that a Sunday afternoon promises. Here, on Sundays, people want to be familial, want to reach out and be a part of the community, want to truly enjoy their one day of rest. As viewed from foreign eyes there is a sense of wonderment in the naivety of the scene, an admiration for the way that people can be in time without measuring it the way that we might.

Pleasures are simple. People are friendly. Life is manageable. Time is endless.
What a lesson for us to learn.