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The city of Tlaxcala is the capital of the state of Tlaxcala, Mexico's smallest state. It is located two hours to the east of Mexico City, but it is light years away from the smog, traffic, and congestion of Mexico City. Its clean mountain air, friendly people, and relaxed pace give the visitor a glimpse of the REAL Mexico. Although there are no crowds of tourists, Tlaxcala has good accomodations and outstanding sites of historical and artistic importance.

Tlaxcala is my home away from home; I have spent more time here than any other place in Mexico. Why? Because this is where my "Mexican family" lives.

In 1973, when I was studying at the University of the Americas in nearby Cholula, I visited Tlaxcala for the first time. There I met by chance a Mexican school teacher by the name of Oscar Gonzalez, and he showed me the places of interest in his town. After I returned to the U.S. we continued to correspond. Meanwhile, Oscar got married, and he and his wife, Alejandrina, had a child. When I returned to Mexico in 1975, they asked me to be the godfather of their son, Alex.

In Mexico there exists a special relationship between parents and godparents known as "compadrazgo". I am Oscar and Alejandrina's "compadre", and thus I am as much a member of the family as if I were related by blood. For more than twenty years I have been returning to Tlaxcala, staying in my "compadres'" home, joining in their family celebrations, and enjoying many happy times.

Click here to see pictures of my godson's wedding.

People sometimes wonder why I am so fascinated by Mexico. It is because I have had the privilege of seeing a side of Mexico that the typical tourist on the beaches of Acapulco or Cancun will never see.

So allow me to give you a tour of a place that is very special to me... the city of TLAXCALA!