Tuesday morning it was time to leave San Miguel de Allende and move on to Guanajuato. That trip turned out to be pretty simple! We walked out our door, dragging our suitcases and walked down to the main drag, literally 7 minutes (down, 15 back up Vivi says). We flagged down a taxi to take us to the bus station, but then asked him how much to take us directly to Guanajuato … 600 pesos and the deal was made. Off we went. Things were super easy until we got into Guanajuato and it became apparent that our driver had never been into the big city of Guanajuato. Thankfully he had no problem flagging down any and all pedestrians to ask for directions to “Teatro Principal”. Eventually, many tunnels later, we found it, much to his relief but I think he was a bit worried about getting out of the maze.
Strangely enough, the last time Grant and I were in Guanajuato, we were also dropped off at Teatro Principal by the taxi driver. That time we argued with him that it was not our address, and after much gesticulation, we understood that our driver could NOT drive to the destination, this was as far as a car could go. Pretty funny this time when the same thing happened, and we were met by our hosts in order to walk up and up and up.
Guanajuato is built with most of its road system underground, in tunnels that were formerly underground rivers. Above ground there are very narrow streets, single lane with SUPER skinny sidewalks, single file if you are thin. I don’t know how anybody builds a house here, or even buys a new fridge. Very few roads, with all the houses built up on the hillsides, and only narrow pathways or stairs to get to them.
We took a few photos of our path down to the centro, just so we could find our way back through the maze!
This is the University of Guanajuato – 25,000 students here really give the whole area that student buzz.
The view from our balcony at Guanajuato.
I think we have certainly had our fair share of odd things to check out in Mexico, but this was right up there in bizarre stuff …… We went to the mummy museum. The first mummy dug up was in 1865, and there are more than 100 remains on display. Authorities were shocked to find not skeletons, but mummified bodies, complete with clothing and shoes intact. Somehow the lime in the soil kept these mummies preserved.
Just weird.
The buildings are colourful, and just beautiful – every street is so pretty. A really clean city as well.
Pretty much the first order of business when we get to a new location is to purchase fresh tortillas – ready for breakfast.
The streets are lined with sculptures.
After our long hike UP UP UP to the mummy museum we stopped for a coffee, hot chocolate and pastry ….. Wilson was a little disconcerted to realize that glass in the floor beside him was a view of the tunnels and road system below the city.
Our living room (salon) in Guanajuato, and yes, another night of salsa and guacamole before going out for dinner.
Basilica interior – the churches are often very ornate, but this was incredible. . . chandeliers everywhere and absolutely stunning. A real sense of the wealth behind the Catholic church, yet incredibly peaceful.
I know, I can’t get enough of the house colours around here …. but I think it might be time to paint my kitchen this shade of blue!
I love the way each little neighbourhood has its own courtyard for socializing. The further away from the centro that you get, the quieter it will be.
We went to Diego Rivera’s home, where he lived in his early years. It has been restored beautifully and not only houses much of his own work, but two of the floors are used as art galleries.
Honestly, sorry, can’t remember the name of this artist, but impressionist art is a bit lost on me ….
However, this one of his we both loved.
One floor was devoted to photographs of life in Angola, and these photos were so captivating I just couldn’t believe it.
These would have made amazing prints to purchase and take away, but there weren’t any for sale.
There is simply no reason to be hungry in Mexico – without looking too hard it is easy to find a vendor selling cut up fruit and vegetables – sprinkle on a bit of chile, lime and salt and find yourself a park bench to sit on. Those are plentiful too!
We made it to the top of the look out – a monument to El Pipila overlooking Guanajuato – quite a steep climb. We had planned to take the funicular (tram) but it wasn’t working.
I’m really hoping that one of the many photos I have taken of this picturesque city will turn out well enough to be enlarged and hung on a wall – it is truly one of the most beautiful cities.
Waiting for our “comida” – the mid day meal is the most economical way to eat in Mexico. This four course meal is usually around 70-90 pesos and is pretty much always a great idea. Today turned out to have a bit of a surprise …. one of the words in the first choice was unfamiliar to me. I did recognize tomato, peppers and onions so I thought it might be a vegetable dish, and since I knew the next course I was choosing was pork, we went with that. Sure, there were a few of those vegetables in there ….. but it was mainly cut up weiners!!!
Really?? says Vivi …… these last few steep steps into our home almost do her in …..
On Thursday morning we say Hasta la vista to Guanajuato and fly from Leon to Puerta Vallarta, and from there to beach life at Chacala, where Casa Monarca awaits us …..
