Social
Poblano / poblana
po-BLA-no
Someone or something from Puebla. Also a chilli, also a style of cooking — context does the work.
Daily life
Don Goyo
don GO-yo
The affectionate name for Popocatépetl. When people say Don Goyo is restless, they mean check the ash forecast before you leave the car outside.
Semáforo de alerta volcánica
seh-MA-fo-ro
CENAPRED's volcanic traffic light. Popocatépetl has sat on yellow for decades; the phase within yellow is the number that actually changes.
Caída de ceniza
ka-EE-da deh seh-NEE-sa
Ash fall. A few times a year the city wakes up grey. It is abrasive, it wrecks car air filters, and you do not sweep it dry.
Comprobante de domicilio
kom-pro-BAN-teh deh do-mee-SEE-lyo
Proof of address under three months old, in your name. It gates the bank account, the licence and a postpaid phone plan.
Fiador / póliza jurídica
fee-a-DOR / PO-lee-sa hoo-REE-dee-ka
A guarantor who owns property locally, or the rental legal policy you buy instead. Almost every landlord wants one or the other.
Emergency
La alerta sísmica
la a-LER-ta SEES-mee-ka
The seismic early-warning tone. Puebla is inside the alert network; learn what it sounds like and what your building's protocol is in week one.
911 / 089
NWEH-veh OO-no OO-no
911 for all emergencies nationwide; 089 for anonymous crime reports. Both free from any phone.
Culture
Talavera
ta-la-VEH-ra
The tin-glazed ceramic that tiles half the historic centre. It carries a denomination of origin, so 'Talavera' on a market stall usually is not.
Food
Chiles en nogada
CHEE-les en no-GA-da
Poblano chillies in walnut cream with pomegranate, served roughly July to September when the nuts and fruit are in. A season, not a menu item.
Cemita
seh-MEE-ta
A sesame-seeded roll stuffed with milanesa, avocado leaf, quesillo and chipotle. Puebla's own sandwich and a full meal.
Taco árabe
TA-ko A-ra-beh
Spit-roasted pork in a pita-like pan árabe, brought by Lebanese migrants to Puebla — the direct ancestor of al pastor. Eaten with chipotle sauce, not pineapple.
Some of this may be out of date. Spotted something inaccurate? Help us keep it right for the next newcomer.