A Few More Morelia Photos

Just a few more photos from Morelia.

Morelia

October 30, 2009
Morelia

Well visiting the Morelia Central was well worth a day of our journey. This is a UNESCO historical site and you can certainly see why it is so designated. The city dates back to about 1530 and many of the buildings in the central area date to the 1500’s and 1600’s. We have not seen such a well preserved historical city since Quebec City in Canada.
The cathedral is magnificent and there are not one but two parks next to it. The buildings are all of stone somewhat like sandstone in color. I counted three churches that I could see on one street alone spaced about two blocks apart.
The city is one of multiple colleges and universities and high schools which are boarding schools here. Many are housed in the old historic district inside of old mansions or convents or churches.
The first building that we entered was the university library which was housed in an old monastery. Next we went to a museum that was supposed to have masks from all over Mexico but unfortunately they were on exhibit in another city. The building and courtyard though were spectacular.
All through the city you see doorways leading to courtyards of old colonial mansions that are now converted into shops and offices. But the colonial grandeur is still evident of what must have been an opulent lifestyle.
We saw the Theatre and although not as large and opulent as the one in Guadalajara it was never the less impressive with its stone walls and architecture from the 1700’s.
Next was a walk to the Parke de Aquductos which still has 253 of the original 7 Km of aqueduct arches and columns in the system left. This was used to bring water to the fountains in the city.
We tried to see the Museum of Modern Art but it was closed for two weeks to have the exhibits for the November Festival here.
Morelia holds an annual Music Festival here and other festivals in November and that is what the city is being readied for. I wish we could stay as this must be quite the affair. Everywhere we saw banners for this and people lining up at ticket booths to purchase tickets for some of the different events.
What we did see was everyone getting ready for Las Dia de la Muerte (The Day of the Dead). This is where you make colorful exhibits out of flowers, fruit and bread, etc into elaborate murals on the ground and walls dedicated to those lost souls who have passed on before you. Then you have a celebration to them. This is not a wake but sort of between a picnic and a Fiesta. Now I know what all those fields of flowers were for that I saw growing before we got to Morelia. Orange seems to be the predominant color.
We had a chocolate cappuccino and a chocolate drink in a candy factory store near the cathedral which had been started in 1840. Morelia for some reason was a center for candy making at that time and eat your heart out Cheryl it was just the best ever.
Afterwards we ate near the porticos that surround the main plazas. These are stone arched and covered and provided a public area next to the businesses when they were originally constructed in the 1600’s. Bev purchased a small hand painted statue of a Mexican woman there that we probably paid too much for here and will have to cart around for the next five months, but she did like it.
So much for the muse for today and I must now sign off and see if I can find an internet café here. We are boon docking in Wally World tonight and last night as there are no RV campgrounds within 30 Km of the city. But all is fine and we have all of the amenities of our lifestyle with us.
Tomorrow we go to Puebla if we can get that far with the traffic etc. But as I have said before getting around DF (Mexico City) will I am sure prove to be an adventure worth the tale in my next blog.

Guadalajara to Morelia

October 29, 2009
Guadalajara to Morelia

Today was a travel day and went fairly well. By that I mean that we only got lost or almost lost several times. When traveling in Mexico it must be remembered that the road signs may not list the road number or the major city for that turnoff. Also, inevitably the sign may be half or fully covered up by a bush or tree. So it is best to keep an eagle eye out and even then sometimes you can go wrong.
First off we left for Lake Chapala which is south of Guadalajara. This was for two reasons the first of which we then did not have to get back on and off the preiferico or ring road. This is always a great adventure in white knuckle driving.
So off we went and the person at the RV park told me that the road to Lake Chapala was 40 Km down the way. Well that is not the case as it was only about 15 miles away and not 25 miles. So we had to backtrack about ½ mile when I came to the cuota (tole) station and knew I had gone too far. After that it was easy to find Lake Chapala and it is a very large lake.
There is a very large foreign community here and most of the northern part of the lake is wall to wall US and Canadian settlements. One of the largest is Ajijic and the other the town of Chapala. Because it is a two lane road the driving was slow with lots of topes (speed bumps) to slow you down even more. Bev did find some beads which we bought from a roadside vendor.
The lake itself is huge with I understand too much water as they had a lot of rain last year. We could see trees in the water on the southern shore of the lake.
From there another country road hwy 35 out to the town of El Barca. Meandering thru vast fields of sugar cane and something else I could not tell what. Finally at the town of El Barca we met up with the tole road again (Hwy 15) and on our way to Morelia.
Along the way we passed thru long valleys (about 15-20 miles each) and then another mountain pass with each mountain pass getting us higher in elevation. I should have realized that this was inevitable as we are heading towards Mexico City which is high in elevation.
The vegetation changed from sugar cane, and aguave cactus to corn and field crops and finally to great stretches of grazing land. Now this is not like the grasslands of the US but has grasses and also small and large trees. Everywhere though it is green, and where the valleys are flat enough you see cultivation in very black soil.
Upon arriving in Morelia we again had to take the ring road to get to where we wanted to go. After one or two almost failed attempts we got onto the ring road only to miss our turnoff. Now you say this should not be too much of a problem but it is as you can not always turn around. Lucky for me there was a returno in about ½ mile or so.
Tomorrow it is taxi time again with a trip to one of the oldest cities and a UNESCO historical city.
That is all for the time being.

Guadalajara Day 2

October 28, 09
Guadalajara
Today we visited and explored the central city of Guadalajara. Another interesting bus ride to the center of town and then out to see the sights. Fortunately, they are all in close proximity as walking was about the only means of transportation for us.

First was the main cathedral. Just absolutely immense taking up a whole block with twin spires and two domes. Started in 1630 and obviously redone several times the original stained glass in the domes came from Germany. The stone work of the Spaniards everywhere was impressive but you felt a kind of sorrow for the Indians who were forced to do this labor. Inside the gold leaf and vaulted ceilings with the main nave and the wing naves are immense.
There were two cathedrals on the central plaza and the second although not as immense was just as spectacular on the inside.

Next some of the many plazas that exist in the central zone and surround the cathedral. Always with their gazebos and fountains and gardens. These were where the people went to be seen and enjoy the activities of the town.

We visited many of the government buildings including the city hall where there were two events going on. One a job fair in the main patio area of the building and then a students government day on the second floor. These buildings again all have immense murals usually depicting the revolution, or the Spanish conquering of Mexico.

After that a visit to the local museum where they were having an exhibit of the Fabraje collection from the Czars time in Russia. Most impressive with all of the diamond and ruby encrusted pieces which showed the immense wealth of the Russian aristocracy of the time.

After that was a tour of the Central Market which was the largest I have ever seen. There were three or four levels with whole streets of just shoes and then another of vegetables and another of meats. I had a torta (a large, very large sandwich) made on a large roll with pork and lettuce and tomatoes, etc which is then grilled on the top and bottom. I wanted only ½ of one but they mistook what I said and cut it in half and then gave me both halves on two plates. Ah well, I ate most all of it and Bev had about one bite of the meat.

It was now time to go home but first a stop for a picture of the Hall of Justice on Majistrate Calle. Again one of those buildings whose architecture is just stunning with the interior courtyard and the spiral stairways.

We tried catching the bus where we were told that it would stop and finally someone posted a sign that the route had been changed that day and it went on a different street. So off we went following our now guide ( a woman going on the same bus as we were.
We got where we were supposed to be and then waited the longest that we have ever had to wait for a bus (probably 20 minutes at least). Well our bus finally came and then he went a different route than what we had come on. Still the 258 bus but a different route back. So when we were close I got us off and then we got a cab the rest of the way. Bev is now tuckered out and sleeping the rest of the weary sightseer.

Tomorrow we will go to Lake Chapala and then on to Morelia and Puebla. We will skip Tonopal (that is the town in Guadalajara where all of the pottery is made.

Well that is all of the adventure that I will share for today. Here is hoping that soon we will have internet to post all of this.

Guadalajara Day One

October 27, 09

Guadalajara, Mexico

We arrived in Guadalajara yesterday and found our campground which is San Jose Del Tajo without too much difficulty. As you can imagine with the city being the second largest in Mexico we are quite a ways out of the center of town. We are on the road to Colima just 3 miles out from the Perifecto or circle road which goes around the center of the city.
The campground is an older one but quite nice in that it is quiet and on a major bus route with Costco, Walmart and Mega just across the main street. We do not here the noise as the RV park is ¼ mile off the street on a cobblestone driveway with lots between us and the traffic. It is somewhat old and only 15 amp electric but there are lots of trees and the grounds and sites are well separated.
Today we took the 285 bus into the center of the city. We are such adventurous travelers. Traveling by bus in a country like this is an adventure. The driver collects fares, drives, and shifts gears all with one hand while talking on his cell phone the whole time with the other. Then ½ way there he stops at a Pemex station to take a short potty break. Well you never know when nature will call.
We did meet an interesting lady who was partially sighted who had lived in LA for 10 years and now resides in her home town here. She helped os with the stop to get off and others were most helpful. We could have taken another bus to Tlaquepaque but opted instead for a cab.
Tlaquepaque is an artisan community and part of the city although it could be a city in and of itself. Sort of like Riverside and San Bernardino. The streets are narrow and some are pedestrian only but lined with multiple small and large shops which have all of the arts and crafts of Mexico in them and some things that you may not see anywhere else.
Along with this were the central parks and cathedrals which you will find in most colonial towns. These are always worth looking at and admiring the architecture and style. The one here dates back the 1600’s and is massive and ornate as you can imagine.
We went looking for furniture and found one shop among many which would hand craft furniture for us. We took some pictures and a card so that if things do not work out in Costa Rica then we will have other options.
We did manage to buy a handful of small things including designer jeans for Bev and have lunch at a neat little patio restaurant.
Lastly it was a cab home (too tired to ride the bus all that way). Afterwards a trip to the Mega store to replenish bread and other goodies. Tomorrow we pick up the laundry and will go to the central area again for sightseeing.
As you already know we have not had internet for a week and that has not changed in the park here. Maybe at the next stop we will be able to get online. If not I am sure the world has not gotten much worse without our knowing it.

October 24-25, 09
Mazatlan,
This is now a very large city with so many hotels and condos it is impossible to count them all. Most are in the Dorado or Golden Zone which we drove thru yesterday. It is packed wall to wall with tourist hotels.
We are staying north of town at Punta Cerritos which is much less inhabited and has a really nice cove area with tide pools and a small tourist shopping area.
Yesterday we went down the Malacone which is the old beachfront town area and stopped for coffee under a palapa on the beach. It was nice and quiet because it was still early. The nightclubers do not get up until noon time or later. There was a side trip to the Central Market (every Central American town has one) and this one again covered an entire city block. Lots of small stalls or shops are located inside the central market and you will find clothing, fruits and vegetables, meats, fish and just about anything you might want in one including sopas which are like a lunch counter.
After buying a few fresh fruits etc we waked to the cathedral and the park next to it. These are always busy places with lots of foot traffic and people just going about their daily lives.
We drove the scooter around the old section of town looking at the old buildings and admiring the architecture. Always a fun thing to do and especially on the scooter as the view is better and with the narrow streets (calles) it is much easier to get around.
Today was a visit to the Mega Store (huge supermarket) and to try again to get Bev a hepatitis A shot. We went to the Sharp Hospital located here and they had hepatitis B but not A. They could have the A in the morning after 11:00 am but I would like to be gone by then so we will try in Guadalahara.
I fixed the back storage area on the scooter so that now it stays on and will open and close better. We ( I ) had a slight altercation in Kino with it but all is fine now.
Well this afternoon should be down to the tide pools again and some wading, swimming and just sunning.

October 23, 09
Huatabampito to Mazatlan
Well after a very long day of driving we are in Mazatlan at the Punta Cerritos RV Park. This is a very nice facility which will be even nicer in 1-2 years when the pool and the palapa areas are completed. It looks to be mostly permanent sites with some that are not. And we met another Trek here from British Columbia (Max and Elizabeth). They have a newer Trek than ours and they have a permanent site here but they also arrived just today.

It was mostly flat farmland all the way and again it seemed like a rich delta soil which would have been the color of black coal when it was wet. Other than the fields and they were enormous everything was green and lush. We seem to be out of the desert area and the vegetation that is wild seems to be lots of eucalyptus type trees and other varieties.

Just before Mazatlan there are hills or butts that rise up and this means that we are getting into the mountains from here south. Before this you could see the mountains to the east of us but it seemed to me that we were on a coastal plain or delta. Lots of irrigation between Navajoa and Culiacan. They seem to be able to grow lots of grains further north and vegetable crops. Hundreds of acres of shaded greenhouses. No need to put them under glass, just filtered shade from the sun.

Then as we got closer to Mazatlan it was sugar cane and even some Tequila cactus. We will go thru the town of Tequila on our way south so we did not stop to sample.

Mazatlan itself is a tourist mecca. Lots of large scale hotels and condos on the beach north of town and many of the RV parks have disappeared to make way for them. I am trying to convince Bev that we should take the scooter into town tomorrow and see the El Cento district and do some shopping. She is resisting so we shall see. I hope that I did not bring the scooter down for nothing.

Well another sunset in paradise with the tide pools in front of us. Here’s wishing you all have a great weekend up in the north.

Kino Bay to Huatabampito

Ocober 22, 09
Kino Bay to Huatabampio:
Well last night I wrote about the last sunset in Kino Bay for awhile. Possibly his should be like the old surfer movie and just call this trip “The Endless Sunset”.
We are on a beach at the El Mirador Restaurant run by Enrique and his family and we stayed on this same beach when visiting here with my sister years ago. Somewha off the beaten path but endless miles of beach with no one on it. We are this time in a campground with real electricity. Last time it was just the beach which was nice and the police checked on us three times in the night to make sure that we were ok. Even had some ice cream with them.
As you can see if I was able to post the pictures the sunsets here are just great. No islands but this is a huge long peninsula with I am told the only south facing beach for hundreds of miles.
We ate at the El Mirador this evening and the Talapia (a fish) was really well prepared and very fresh. Tomorrow I will go over and use their internet and try to post the last two days.
We travelled thru some of the richest farmland you can imagine with huge fields of grain and potatoes. This is delta land and the soil is rich and the smells of the farm produce hang in the air. Going thru town of Obregon and Navajoa we then travelled to the coast to get here.
We have bypassed Alamos a favorite stopover for us and seeing out friend Tom Harkness who lives there permanently now and also a visit to the Copper Cyn. Maybe, on the way back I would like to go there again if time permits. For now the adventure carries us further south.
Tomorrow we will be in either Culiacan or Mazatlan. If it is Mazatlan then we will have reached the furthest point south that Bev and I have ever driven before. It was in the early 70’s that we took our then El Camino with the camper shell and drove to Mazatlan. The roads then were two lane and everyone then thought that we were crazy. The roads are better but everyone now knows that we are a little off the center line of normal. Well we still have fun and if you are the odd person in the crowd it does not bother or affect you personally, only those around you.
Well so much for philosophizing for tonight. It is late and time to read before I fall asleep.

The Last Kino Sunset

Last Sunset in Kino Bay,
Well here is the picture of our last sunset for quite a while in Kino Bay.
Tomorrow we head out for Panama and our next adventure. We have been busy all day getting the RV packed and the house all buttoned up.
Lastly was haircuts and calling the kids. It may be some time before we have internet again and Bev wanted to have a little time to talk.
The first attempt to put the scooter on the back of the RV did not go well ( I launched it right off the far side of the ramp). Luckily not much damage other than my ego.
Scruffy the cat is sensing something is up and he’s not really sure about all of this. He thinks that this home suits him just fine and why do we want to cramp ourselves into that little RV.
Well if Hurricane Rick has passed the area we will begin tomorrow. There were some pretty gfood winds tonight here in Kino Bay and the news says that the storm passed Mazatlan this morning and headed east so I am hoping that this will die down tonight. Otherwise it will be the next day and wait it out until then.
Well the Trek is prepped and off we go into the unknown.

Leaving Kino Bay, Sonora, MX

October 22, 09
Leaving Kino Bay
We are now ready to leave Kino Bay and head south. This has been an interesting month with lots of activities. My daughter, Vera, son-in-law, Gabe and both grandchildren, Christopher and Catlin, were here for ten days and that was great to have them down here for the first time.
We took them back to Phoenix to catch the plane back to CA and then came back down here for some more work and relaxation.
So far the projects that have been done this far are:
Redo the palapa: Yes hurricane whatever destroyed the flagstone area around the palapa and it had to be rebuilt. But all is fine now and we even have a large driftwood log in front of it.
Doors on the cabinets in the barbeque area: We now have doors on the cabinets in the barbeque area. Nice not to see just openings there.
Storage area for beach things: We built some enclosed storage in the covered patio next to our bedroom to house the beach things out of the way. This now needs to have doors built for it on the next trip down.
Walkway and walls in the common stairway area: We built stairs with short walls for the owners of the lots around us so that they could access the beach area. Not a simple project but I did have some help for this one.
Painting the Kitchen area with color: Bev had some help from Jill our decorating color person in selecting some bright colors for the kitchen area around the stove and windows. This is not the end of the painting projects but only the very beginning.
Finishing the chest of drawers in the bedroom: This was finally finished with the drawers installed and hardware put on.
Planting: We managed to plant the inner courtyard and the outside planters, One with cactus and the other with plants and trees. What a job hauling all of the sand out and then putting topsoil in. Then came sprinklers and an automatic timer system to complete the project but it is done and now we can only hope that it all works, because, we won’t be here to check on it.
Internet and satellite TV: We now have internet installed at the house and satellite tv so we can now say that we have all of the vices that we had in the US.
Marine radio: I installed an antenna for the marine radio so that Bev can get the Kino Bay News in the morning. All she has to do is be up by 8:00 am.
Paying the Bills: We paid for the trust for another year and paid the attorney to complete the work on the lease of the Federal Zone in front of the house. I paid the water bill for next year (no meters you just pay for a years worth of water), and tomorrow I will try to have the electric bill deducted from the checking account automatically. Still have not been able to get online to pay the taxes but they are not due until January.
Some pictures are posted and now that we are traveling I will try to post more often.