Alfonso

Alfonso Díaz Infante Capdevielle (Poncho for short) owns Anys Hostal where I've been staying on my last several visits to Mexico City and we've become friends over the years.  

He's not your average Mexican having come from a wealthy family.  His grandfather was a doctor and the head of Red Cross in Mexico City for 30yrs.  Alfonso created the hotel in grandfathers big old home so the rooms in the main part of the home are quite grand and it's located in a vibrant, up and coming neighbourhood of the city. I've been encouraging him to come and visit me in Victoria and, to my surprise, he took me up on my offer this fall.  We had a great time.  The weather was perfect and we spent a lot of time just exploring around the city.  

 Chalk art festival

 

There was the obligatory visit to Butcharts Gardens which he thoroughly enjoyed.  

A kayak outing, a first for him, bike rides out into the country, bluegrass night at the Cornerstone Cafe with a gang of friends.  A lovely lunch with friend Phyllis at Point No Point on the coast west of Victoria.  

Phyllis and Alfonso

 A distant glimpse of maybe humpback whales?

And so forth.  It was great fun to host him and I think he had a good time.