Zongolica is an amazing little town south of Orizaba occupying a flat spot surrounded by mountains about 200 meters (n-s) by 600 meters (e-w). The single road in is a climb that puts the town at an elevation of 6 to 7000 feet (I guess). From a picture in the Zongolica bus station apparently there was nothing here in 1920. There are mountain villages in the area with connections to the huasteca culture of Oaxaca not far south. The art form of weaving popular in Oaxaca has an offshoot here though I didn't see any evidence of it. Additionally, a special dialect of the Aztec Nahuatl language is spoken in the area.
As I walked around town people were rather amazed to see me. Old men (who almost never speak to me elsewhere) greeted me with an enthusiastic "Buenos Tardes". One man volunteered that it was okay to walk in a fenced field if I wanted to take a picture. Overall the visit here was a novalty that is getting rarer in Mexico. I am looking forward to returning since I think there is more to see if I can find a guide.
There is a special bus station in Orizaba with service to Zongolica. It is a short walk east from the cathedral out Oriente 3 until about Norte 10-12. Buses about every half hour cost 30 pesos one way. Return buses in the afternoon fill up fast so you need to buy your ticket about an hour in advance. There is a motel west of town for about 200 pesos single. I noticed a little periodical in Orizaba touting Zongolica as mystic place that I haven't found since. My internet searching reveals that this is a spelunking destination.
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