November 29, 2021 - December 6, 2021
Since we were getting tired of turkey in all of its forms we decided to go out to lunch on Monday. We walked to the restaurant in the Fabrica de Aurora galleries. As we entered the grounds a man was coming toward us and asked if we were visiting or did we live here. This started a lengthy conversation about the positive aspects of living in San Miguel de Allende. He has been living here for three years with his wife. Coincidentally, he was from Elkridge, Maryland (just outside of Baltimore). It’s a small world we live in. He is renting a house up in the hills surrounding San Miguel. Bob was very in intrigued with the idea of living in a similar spot that was not so close to town. I guess that’s a research project for him.
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| Cacti growing at the entrance to Fabrica de Aurora |
After my morning walk and shower on Tuesday I used the left over Thanksgiving mashed potatoes to make a delicious shepherd’s pie. I froze most of the other left overs for later (Bob is not a big fan of left overs). We hadn’t been out all afternoon when Bob suggested dinner at the restaurant “Chill”. The restaurant seating area is on the second floor which provides a great atmosphere overlooking the street and the prolific flowers hanging over the wall across from the restaurant, but the food is not as outstanding.
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| The beautiful entrance to a gallery that I pass on my morning walk |
Our big task on Wednesday was to get our Prius to the Toyota dealer in Guanajauto for its regular service. Driving in Mexico is definitely an experience. About half way to Guanajauto we were stuck behind a large dump truck that was going very slowly up and down the mountain roads. Even in the no passing zones on sharp curves the many cars that were behind us passed us and the truck. I was petrified that there would be a head on collision right in front of us. All was well though and we arrived at the dealership almost on time. I had to use everything I know about Spanish and my translation app to communicate what service was needed. During our three hour wait we walked to the Applebee’s next door for lunch. The menu was similar to the menu in the US, but with a definite Mexican flare. We made it safely back to San Miguel around 2:30 to a couple of hungry cats waiting for their lunch.
On Friday we took a tour to the nearby city of Queretaro in the neighboring state. The tour guide informed us that Queretaro was the cradle of Mexican independence from Spain as the great men and women who fomented the revolution met in a building there. It was on September 16, 1810 that the revolution was launched by Miguel Hildago and Costello (a Catholic priest). The war lasted for over eleven years. The following photos will document our tour:
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| Our 1st stop was at the Iglesia de Santa Cruz which was built as a small chapel in1531. |
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| The alter of the Iglesia |
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| The ceiling of the iglesia was equally ornate. |
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| We toured the convent attached to the church. This is the courtyard. |
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| This view from inside the convent gives you an idea of how thick the walls are. |
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| An aqueduct was built to bring water to the city of Queteraro from a lake and the aqueduct ends on the top of the convent. |
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| Rain water was caught and stored in this well. |
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| Another view showing the thickness of the walls |
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| The trees in this garden were the reason the church was built on this site as the thorns on the branches look like those used in Christ's crown of thorns and resemble a cross. |
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| A close up view of the thorns |
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| This statue of an indigenous dancer was on our way to the next church. |
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| A typical street in the historic section |
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| The square in front of the next church had a manger scene set up. Notice that the Christ child is not in the manger yet. |
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| There was also a section depicting the three kings. |
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| Opposite the church on the square is La Casa de la Corregidora which was the home of the cities mayor and wife during the early days of the Mexican war of Independence. |
