In Love with Mexico
Trip Start
Jan 02, 2010
1
5
17
Trip End
Mar 17, 2010
Where I stayed
La Siesta RV Park
San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato, Mexico
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Sunday afternoon families gathered on the city plazas to eat, talk and watch their children play. The large Catholic Church at the main plaza was a photographers dream and Apache Indian children dressed in purple and white performed a circle dance as an enthralled crowd gathered to watch. Later a group of Aztec dancers in feathered headdress danced to the beat of flute and drums. We wanted to linger and watch but the sun was setting and it was darned cold. We got back on the "Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride" bus and returned to the RV park.
For the next four days we tramped up and down the streets and discovered beautiful parks, great restaurants and very photogenic buildings. We photographed many churches, which are certainly elaborate and ubiquitous in Mexico. No flash photography was allowed so it was tough to get decent interior shots. As we strolled the streets we encountered many shabby looking buildings but partially open gates revealed courtyards lush with plants and flowers, soothing music and small restaurants with rooftop gardens. Meals seemed to be about 100 pesos or $10.00 each whether you choose a nice restaurant or one that is open to the street.
We were told that the full time population in San Miguel de Allende is made up of about 10 percent North American or European people and 90 percent Mexican or Indian. Everyone we met was friendly and went out of their way to be helpful. We fell in love with this beautiful little city just as did a man we ran into on the street who said he came for a four-day vacation five years ago.
It was tempting to linger in San Miguel but so much more of Mexico awaits our exploration and we must move on. Leaving on 1-14, headed for Queretaro, I (Kathleen) drove the Toyota pickup because there were turns that were just too tight for Matilda to maneuver while towing the truck. What an introduction to Mexican driving.
Comments
Someone please let me know how these pictures look. They appear dark on my laptop.
Thanks,
Ellen
It's good to hear from you and the photos are fabulous. We found it pretty easy to fall under the spell of Mexico and I share your passion. We are a bit surprised how quickly you are moving through the country and eagerly await the next installment.
Tenga un viaje seguro.
The trip looks like great fun, the pictures are beautiful. One of the window photos almost looks like the one they have on photoshop. Hope you all are doing well down there and be careful. Hi Kathleen, we love you Steve, Cindy and family.
The photos are beautiful-wonderful architecture and colors. They are very bright, not dark at all. Here we are experiencing very high winds and gray skies; snow sprinkles the top of the mountain. Enjoy your bright sunshine!
Thanks for the updates. ALMOST makes me want to take the weather cover off of the van and head South... nah, maybe next month.
George