If you see 14 Pleasanton residents walking around town on a high, it’s not because they are on anything or because they drank too much tequila. It is because they found a new love, understanding and friendship in Tulancingo, Mexico, Pleasanton’s Sister City.

This love, understanding and friendship was an experience that I find hard to put into words - you really had to be there! It’s a feeling that will last a lifetime and then some.

The excitement of the trip began almost on boarding the bus from the Mexico City Airport to travel the 50 miles to Tulancingo. It was however, probably the kind of excitement we all could live without. Driving in Mexico can be a hair-raising experience.

However, our welcoming and traveling committee assured us that we had a good driver and that we had nothing to worry about.

Upon our arrival at Hotel La Joya in Tulancingo we were escorted to a reception befitting royalty.

From that reception at the hotel, the evening continued on to an exciting welcome from the Rotary Club held in their own building. This was also the beginning of our receiving gifts from our hosts; gift giving that continued throughout the duration of the trip. (These gifts will be on display at 450 Main Street during Heritage Days.)

Wednesday, August 1st, we witnessed and took part in the official signing of the proclamation of our Sister City by the Tulancingo Council members. Again, the program featured and exchange of gifts.

Following this ceremony, we returned to our hotel rooms to don our casual clothes and ready ourselves for a tour of Tulancingo. No matter where we went a police escort was always present, seeing that our caravan moved smoothly and without the least bit of interference.

Our first stop was at a satellite station. This impressive facility tour began with a short movie explaining the operation. From this location, the beautiful, green, lush valleys of Tulancingo could be plainly seen. Our cameras snapped joyously.

Tulancingo is located in the State of Hidalgo, situated in a valley 50 miles north of Mexico City and occupies an area roughly the size of Pleasanton. The population is approximately 80,000.

Our tour of the city included viewing the Red Cross Emergency Center, Fire Department, the Cathedral, a beautiful display of early architecture, and then on to a tour of the Apple Cider Factory and lunch. (The Apple Cider Factory is very similar to our methods of making wine except they use apples.) The grounds of this establishment could have very well been a setting for a Hollywood production.

The beauty of the ancient buildings was only accented by the abundance of greenery and flowery landscaping surrounding them.

Here again, the warmth of our friends from Tulancingo was displayed and although our tour had hardly begun, the people and the city already had a special place in our hearts. The people there know how to enjoy life, put strangers at ease and let them become a part of their culture.

Our evening was filled with plaudits, gifts, food and entertainment in the home of the local Chamber of Commerce.

Thursday, August 2nd, we began our day with a tour of a newly built school for the handicapped.

From there we proceeded to City Hall to meet City staff members.

A tour of their cheese factory preceded a delicious lunch served on the premises complete with music and dancing.

It was Fair time in Tulancingo while we were there, so a trip to the Fair was on our agenda. Their fair is very similar to our Alameda County Fair. They have the agricultural displays, the animals, top name entertainment and the commercial exhibitions. Instead of horse-racing, however, cock-fights are their big attraction.

For our evening activity, we were dinner guests of the Lions Club, in their spacious, new building.

Friday, our last day in Tulancingo, had us off to the State Capitol for a visit with the Governor. This was another unforgettable experience. The Governor was a very gracious, friendly, intelligent man with a good sense of humor.

The band that played for our arrival and entertainment while at the Capitol, was then sent to Tulancingo at the request of the Governor to play for us while we had lunch.

Lunch was at La Gran Fonda Restaurant owned and operated by Wenceslao and Paulina Angulo and their children. All the food consumed, and it was there in abundance, was cooked and prepared by Wenceslao.

We took a tour of the textile mill before having our final evening gathering at the Chamber of Commerce.

The evening was delightful, with an exchange of our experiences and feelings form the past few days.

No good-byes were said, instead it was “until we meet in September.”

Our Sister City friends will be in our town September 19th through the 23rd. They will be the Grand Marshals of our Heritage Days Parade. Come out and greet them. They will love meeting you and will love meeting them.

See you at the Heritage Days Parade!

To see a reproduction of the original article and edition of Pleasanton Pathways, visit: August 20, 1984 Pathways.