Wednesday, May 7, 2008

Guanajuato

We just had a five-day weekend! Thursday, May 1 was Labor Day, and Monday, May 5 was Cinco de Mayo--another business holiday. I don't know why, but there was no school on Friday, May 2 so everyone who toils in the field of education had a 5 day holiday! That works for me!!

My friend, Lety, planned a cultural tour for us! She wanted to show me the cities of Guanajuato and San Miguel de Allende, as well as some smaller towns, so Wednesday afternoon, after she finished work, we took off, returning to PV on Monday evening. We had a whirlwind trip but at least I was able to spend a few hours in some of the famous places in Mexico. I really enjoyed it.

This story is about the city of Guanajuato, the capital of the state of Guanajuato, which is just north and east of Jalisco. Located high (6,500 ft.) in the mountains, the beautiful, old city with cobblestone streets and houses perched on the side of the mountains, is where, in 1810, Ignacio Allende and Father Hildago entered the city and confronted the Spanish for the first time. The Revolutionary war began.

A tiny bit of history...the Spanish were shored up in the granary which the Mexicans could not reach until Juan Jose de los Reyes Martinez strapped a stone on his back so the bullets couldn't hurt him and made his way to the granary and set it on fire! He is known by his nickname, El Pipila, and there is a huge statue (which you will see below) towering over the city of Guanajuato. A true Mexican hero!

The name "Guanajuato" means "the place of the frogs" and there are several stories, I understand, as to why it was called that. One tale says that the indigenous Indians from the area said the place was only fit for frogs to live! Guanajuato and the surrounding area is famous for silver mines. The Valenciana mine was one of the richest silver mines in the world and at one time much of the world's silver came from it.

The Guanajuato River ran through the city, and a series of tunnels were built to contain the river; however, the river regularly flooded the city. Finally a dam was built on the river and now those tunnels, paved with cobblestones, provide access to the city for cars. There is an "underground city"---a maze of tunnels---allowing cars to traverse the city. Above ground, although there are some streets for cars, most of the "streets" are actually very narrow alleys, allowing for 1 lane of traffic.

Lety's 2 sisters: Rosario, and her husband Manuel, Lupita, me and the dog (!) crowded into their Nissan and made the 4 hour trip from Guadalajara to Guanajuato! We arrived in the city about 7:00PM and after finding a place to stay, Lety, Lupita and I went to see and hear the student musicians play near the University.



Student musicians with medieval instruments, and dressed in medieval costume, stroll the streets in the evening, singing and playing.

The next morning we drove through the city, experiencing the many tunnels, but surfaced and drove through the town to see what we could see from the car. Parking in the downtown area, our main stop was at the city plaza and the Templo de San Diego de Acala.


An artist set up his paintings in front of the San Diego de Acala church.


The main plaza with gardens, benches and a kiosk.


We were fortunate to have an band concert in the kiosk while we were there. The plaza was full of people enjoying the sun (and shade too!) and the music, which could be heard for blocks around the neighborhood.

These boys, wearing a uniform similar to the Boy Scout uniform, were playing a game in the Plaza.

Here I am, standing in front of the Juarez Theater which hosts the International Cervantino Festival, in honor of Cervantes, every October. Artists from all over the world come to present plays, dance, opera, music and art exhibits.

This area is also known as the theater district since there are several theaters located within walking distance of the Plaza.



A pretty street scene.

Another street scene but look high up on the right side of the picture, just above the greenery and see the statue of El Pipila.


Here's a better view of him! The massive stone statue looms high above the city but there is a street leading there and the view of the city is fantastic!




From the statue, looking down onto the city, the clump of green in the middle of the photo is the main Plaza where the band concert was; and across the street, with the red roof, is the church.


Here are a couple of views of the city.


The houses are built on the side of the mountain and cars, driving in off the street, park on the roof of the house! What a garage!

Well, that's the tour of Guanajuato. Later we'll be off to the city of San Miguel de Allende.

Hasta luego.


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