The Mexico guide books are short on things to do with children in St Cristobal de Las Casas, but Daisy has her own ideas. If the writers of Lonely Planet ever run short of suggestions, here are her top picks.
1. Shopping for animalitos.
According to the guidebook these are "small, inexpensive and fragile pottery figures made by the children of the village Amatenango de Valle". They are sold in the streets, mainly by children, for a few pesos.
Daisy isn't that interested in their cultural significance. She just wants to collect them, and she sees every trip out as an opportunity to buy more. She's even got the downstairs neighbours buying them for her now. She's probably keeping the entire pottery business of Amatenango going singlehandedly.
However, the guidebook did get one thing right, they are certainly fragile. So far we've got through 'poorly pig' (who lost one leg almost as soon as she'd bought him), an armadillo and about five other unfortunate creatures. Never mind, her love of animalitos means she is easily bribeable, since you can usually get her to leave the house if she can buy one or two.
2. Hassling Larry the neighbour
Sadly in Guatemala for a few days, Larry is very popular with Daisy. The poor man (who is from the US) likes to spend his days sitting on the balcony in just his shorts reading books. Daisy likes to shout "Where's my neighbour?" very loudly at him and occasionally just "I want Larry!". He shows nothing but a polite interest in her, and to be honest I can't blame him for fleeing the country. She even named one of her animalitos after him, but it unsurprisingly came to a sticky end. Poor Larry.
3. Serving in Mari's Shop
I don't think Daisy's ever met anyone who owned a shop before, especially not one of those tantalising corner shops which sells sweeties and a whole rainbow of Mexican snacks, as well as essentials like milk and eggs. So Mari and Eneas' shop on the corner of our road has proved very popular. It is the source of all good things, especially lollipops, animal biscuits and large marshmallow hearts. Daisy likes to go and 'help' Mari while she's serving customers and also rearranges everything, given half the chance.
4. Looking for Baby Jesus' Daddy
Daisy is clearly a catholic at heart. Taking her into the nearest church always cheers her up, especially when baby Jesus and his Mummy wear such good clothes. But where is his Daddy? She's been looking for ages. I have once managed to palm her off with St Christopher, but otherwise the whole thing remains an ineffable mystery.
5. Having a drink with a straw
It doesn't matter what type of drink it is, if it comes with a 'popote' Daisy is a very happy girl. Goodness knows what will happen when she discovers the existence of cocktail umbrellas.
So there you go Lonely Planet, don't say we don't do anything for you. St Cristobal is a city of untold toddler delights.
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