Blogs from Guanajuato, Guanajuato, Mexico, North America - page 2

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North America » Mexico » Guanajuato » Guanajuato April 27th 2014

The first stop of my week-long trip outside of Guadalajara is the wonderful town of Guanajuato. Its history dates back to 1559, when it was founded after huge gold and silver deposits were found in the surrounding area. In the Mexican War of Independence in 1810, the town played an important role as the site of the first battle against Spanish troops, who barricaded themselves inside the public granary, before suffering a devastating defeat at the hands of the rebel army. Wandering through Guanajuato's cobblestoned lanes and alleys, which wind and twist themselves around the hillsides, I can't help but notice the decidely revolutionary feel emanating from every nook and cranny, be it from statues of important revolutionaries, commemorative plaques reminding passers-by of crucial moments, or the faces of the people, proud and reticent, seemingly ready ... read more
Huevos Rancheros
Monumento al Pípila
Plazuela Mexiamora

North America » Mexico » Guanajuato » Guanajuato August 4th 2012

Saturday, June 9, 2012 we were back in DF. Terri, our roommate since December, was in the final stages of packing as she was moving to another place nearby. There was stuff everywhere, so we decided to leave for dinner out. The next day Terri had the movers in and was able to complete her transition by early afternoon. Later we left with Rosa to pick up a few things that Rosa was going to need in order to rent her/our apartment as furnished. Both Judy and Rennie took advantage of the opportunity to visit with Fran who was still with us. First we went out for a lovely brunch with Rennie. Afterwards Judy joined us for a card-filled afternoon/evening and then we bade a fond farewell to Fran and Judy. We spent the next week ... read more
Guadalope Reyes
Street Life
Our Last Reforma Ride

North America » Mexico » Guanajuato » Guanajuato April 4th 2012

Obviously a city in Mexico comes with some preconceptions from a typical person's point of view. Some might expect it to be dirty, completely unsafe, and in shambles. To be honest, the city we visited was one of the most beautiful places we've been to. Guanajuato is a hidden gem in central Mexico. It’s architecture, churches, squares, and allies are very charming making it feel more like an old European city. The entire downtown colonial area is a UN World Heritage site, which is a prestigious status to have, yet it deserves it. The city itself means, “Places of Frogs” and is situated in a valley. The heights here add to the awesome panoramic views of the colored buildings. I’ve never seen anything like it, it’s as if time stopped and you are stepping back into ... read more
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North America » Mexico » Guanajuato » Guanajuato March 1st 2012

Thursday, 23 February, we moved north to the city and state of Guanajuato. The city of Guanajuato is considered to be the most beautiful, romantic and "one of the best preserved" of Mexico’s colonial cities. This being only our second colonial city but we wonder how any town could seem more ancient. The city sits at the bottom of scenic canyon. Many of the inner city streets are a maze of old mining tunnels. Walls resemble fortress like fortifications though we have not read that they were built for that reason. Houses hug the canyon’s different levels, with the foundations of one house sitting at the rooftop level of the one below. There are two campgrounds in the vicinity. We chose Morrill Trailer Park because of its proximity to the city – we could walk to ... read more
This basilica contains a statue of the Virgin Mary which is considered to be the oldest piece of Christian art in Mexico.
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Guanajuato has so many beautiful churches within its small downtown that we lost track of which altars went with which church.

North America » Mexico » Guanajuato » Guanajuato February 25th 2012

Guanajuanto is an incredible Colonial City. The large historic area is located in a central valley with numerous museums, tree lined Plazas, opulent Theaters, and meandering pedestrian areas, all connected by underground tunnels which were formerly rivers. The colorful houses line the steep cobblestone hillsides. On our way from Patzcuaro, we were pulled over by a Mexican motorcycle cop. He wanted to know why we did not have a front license tag and Ray did (He has California plates also)? Ed kept his cool and just kept saying, in English, 1 or 2 plates, it doesn´t matter. He finally gave up and sent us on our way. We had a nerve wrecking trip through the streets of Guanajuanto. Merrill Campground is on the top of the hillside. The directions in the campground book are given to ... read more
view at night
Yes we were there
callejoneada

North America » Mexico » Guanajuato » Guanajuato January 10th 2012

Well hiring a car in Mexico was easy. Finding our destination was definitely not. We left our happy little hostel at 6.30 am from Oaxaca and flew via Mexico city to Guadalajara, where we then picked up a rental car and thought that we would arrive in the pretty little town of Guanajuato by about 3.30 pm, after an easy drive through the Mexican highways. How wrong we were. The car hire was easy, and the lovely man at Budget was very kind to us. Firstly we got an upgrade, from what must have been a midget car to a small car, and then he gave us all manner of advice about driving in Mexico, including telling us not to give the gas station our credit card and if the police should stop us and ask ... read more
El Pipila
View from the top
Casa Zuniga

North America » Mexico » Guanajuato » Guanajuato November 16th 2011

If San Miguel is all about sol (sun), Guanjuato is more about sombra (shade). This is not because the skies are cloudy, but more a description of mood, history and geography. Its chiaroscuro streets and enticing alleyways remind me of other places all at once, and I struggle to remember where and to fit the pieces together. Meanwhile, Lorena, our Mexican property manager, settles us in and offers her services as a tour guide. We warm to her immediately. She is lanky and handsome, and laughs easily. Like obedient ducklings, we follow behind as she rushes ahead, her mannish blue jeans riding high on her long legs. She sluices us through the cool stone labyrinth of underground roadways in her battered VW, swearing at the slower drivers. “Cheesus Christ!” she grumbles, as if barrelling through the ... read more
a tumbled-down geography
at the mercado hidalgo
schoolboys/guanajuato

North America » Mexico » Guanajuato » Guanajuato September 16th 2011

Tomorrow, September 16th is officially Independence Day in Mexico; however, you got to start early! Let me give the background story, Nanci style. In 1810, a priest named Miguel Hidalgo was unhappy with colonial Mexican society; in particular, how it was determined by skin color, parentage and birthplace. At the top of the tree were the Spanish-born colonists, followed by criollos (most of whom were extremely wealthy), the mestizos (people of mixed ancestry), and lastly the indigenous people and African slaves. The criollos started to rebel against the Spanish rule and Padre Miguel Hidalgo gave his ‘Grito de Indepencia’, or shout for independence. When Hidalgo, Allende, Aldama and Jimenez were fighting in Guanajuato, the city decided to put the colonists and the criollos in the Alhondiga, where they’d be safe. They were wrong. A Mexican miner ... read more
Mexican Independence Day
Mexican Independence Day
Mexican Independence Day

North America » Mexico » Guanajuato » Guanajuato August 1st 2011

One last excursion before i head to the states. Gunanjuato is probably my favourite city in Mexico so far, it reminds me of Italy, cobbled streets with little alleyways set in a valley with brightly coloured houses that surround the town. With lots of old buildings that stand out when up high in the hills looking down on the town. Its the city of the mummies (not the ones pushing strollers around). The story is that years ago they dug up the old graves to make way for new ones, only to find the bodies had naturally 'mummified' from the minerals in the soil. So as you know that kind of thing is right up my alley i went to see them, and they didn't disapoint. After the mummies i walked to the Hidalgo markets, which ... read more
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North America » Mexico » Guanajuato » Guanajuato July 31st 2011

As I was writing my blog last night, I looked out our window to La Bufa for inspiration. La Bufa is a huge (to me, anyway) rocky cliff above Guanajuato. There were hundreds of torches making their way to the top of La Bufa. July 31st is the annual pilgrimage to the cave of San Ignacio. Last night several hundred people were going up, but it was nothing compared to all the people that were on the way up today. There were tons of people of all ages – little babies being carried to little old ladies. I, however, was a bit chicken. I could blame it on my shoes, I could blame it on my age, but it reality I was almost crying like a little girl! We finally made it to the cave! I ... read more
Nanci
Dave - city
Dave




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