tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38193366547830164392024-03-14T03:49:42.431-05:00La Señora, The Storyteller"Poco a Poco", is a saying in Mexico that I am very fond of. This translates to little by little. But, what is lost in the translation is what I hold dear, "little by little everything comes together".
What follows are my stories of living life little by little.........La Señora, The Storytellerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17517090137002072319noreply@blogger.comBlogger52125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3819336654783016439.post-37650903367418437782016-08-13T18:22:00.000-05:002016-08-13T18:22:08.332-05:00Decisions, Decisions, DecisionsWe all have our own little quirks that come into play when having to make big decisions. Many times a suppressed vice in the form of alcohol, food or cigarettes steps forward to lend a helping hand. For me it is coffee and the pot is brewing.......<br />
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After realizing Querétaro was not going to be our new home, the question of day was simply "what's next" ? We knew with certainty that we wanted to remain in Mexico and that we would not compromise when it came to better weather and easier air travel to and from the States. Not one for indecision and the clock running out on our Merida rental, I suggested to El Señor that we just pick a place and take a leap of faith!<br />
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Welcome to my new window of the world, Bucerias, Nayarit, Mexico.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrK1nZOtIr97qJbjKS3tiSrxfonNI1c7byOdFgTb07IHs1DHqOrrdgfMrEXah0CUDCah9BsEK2QHGmGeRSPA4opQuE2jYfGggYErwKFcZLlW02EYj0AwWSoEMhcqb5AcWLe-er_PLBAD4/s1600/IMG_5584.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="305" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrK1nZOtIr97qJbjKS3tiSrxfonNI1c7byOdFgTb07IHs1DHqOrrdgfMrEXah0CUDCah9BsEK2QHGmGeRSPA4opQuE2jYfGggYErwKFcZLlW02EYj0AwWSoEMhcqb5AcWLe-er_PLBAD4/s320/IMG_5584.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Side by Side Duplex, Home is on the Right</td></tr>
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Bucerias is a small town just north of Puerto Vallarta. The main highway known as Mexico 200 divides Bucerias into two sections, beach side and mountainside. The beach side of town is a tourist haven filled with high rise condos, resorts, restaurants, salons, boutique shopping and so much more. The mountainside is home to locals, shops accommodating everyday needs and restaurants specializing in foods of the region. We decided to take up residence on the mountainside. We feel we have the best of both worlds, a quiet neighborhood within walking distance to the beach and all the wonderful amenities it has to offer.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghh8MTseK41TOSuERSALj2fQRJCVGA0-woTr2g2UK-Z5Em94_aMXOcwzooSrxh3vhyphenhyphenhasMEBLRUELxTC6Qq1k8r4FzkUu6n98gqMGf14YK7Vsj4eoVJO_1Rbb8Vyzx-n8xR_W9xbd1BJs/s1600/IMG_5612.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghh8MTseK41TOSuERSALj2fQRJCVGA0-woTr2g2UK-Z5Em94_aMXOcwzooSrxh3vhyphenhyphenhasMEBLRUELxTC6Qq1k8r4FzkUu6n98gqMGf14YK7Vsj4eoVJO_1Rbb8Vyzx-n8xR_W9xbd1BJs/s320/IMG_5612.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Neighborhood Welcoming Committee</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5bLTEdxg0ZiR3pedUjKB3xjSYcH0tLdTzqjcTwYy8Ed7Ja_wXAQ3FD9zO1hEGlkdrTZMmlTjbvygFl0FzmD2Odx9vDxyYyMk4nWjbvnkZAE5Xlyv7HVwSRAzYyJOMzvy14Q3m34zGv5Y/s1600/IMG_5587.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5bLTEdxg0ZiR3pedUjKB3xjSYcH0tLdTzqjcTwYy8Ed7Ja_wXAQ3FD9zO1hEGlkdrTZMmlTjbvygFl0FzmD2Odx9vDxyYyMk4nWjbvnkZAE5Xlyv7HVwSRAzYyJOMzvy14Q3m34zGv5Y/s320/IMG_5587.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mountain View</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCeYZQy4ZVNnEOzv9oxGLcpY9hoyZNVsbFxoPaLq19neCTbWU8xZKeGbk3RUAG1zKo4lL_Az9QTuptmycT-ud0ss-mwRoNztfCgvAA_PVePL2gwou2q2EYcKewu1mCugEsCONzQ_7szcs/s1600/IMG_5588.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCeYZQy4ZVNnEOzv9oxGLcpY9hoyZNVsbFxoPaLq19neCTbWU8xZKeGbk3RUAG1zKo4lL_Az9QTuptmycT-ud0ss-mwRoNztfCgvAA_PVePL2gwou2q2EYcKewu1mCugEsCONzQ_7szcs/s320/IMG_5588.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our Neighborhood Businesses</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB79duFVPYn44H_zIlbgTxISd33rlcXOxJV8FDS7HmiHd3g021-KAHcytG_SxhfjUkS_9j5lUNs512XHhSLQ1ilHsuHVb-laX0JST-OuSLZsotMpXwcDjxnuh4JSwkzcnkHzDeaZaDNSY/s1600/IMG_5591.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB79duFVPYn44H_zIlbgTxISd33rlcXOxJV8FDS7HmiHd3g021-KAHcytG_SxhfjUkS_9j5lUNs512XHhSLQ1ilHsuHVb-laX0JST-OuSLZsotMpXwcDjxnuh4JSwkzcnkHzDeaZaDNSY/s320/IMG_5591.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mexico 200 Crossover to Beach Side</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5tF0r6-4E8yUPNIC-MXJxtwzZv1205N_jePnteV-0YAXmnjgdJbzXyWnGqmrPrPebLCKInIXonl5bHQ0qPmZZwBR2m8ACVncRRyxu_iDE_IYKFvqOBq6vvzqLSdma0kDJUrU8LY4M_gU/s1600/IMG_5592.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5tF0r6-4E8yUPNIC-MXJxtwzZv1205N_jePnteV-0YAXmnjgdJbzXyWnGqmrPrPebLCKInIXonl5bHQ0qPmZZwBR2m8ACVncRRyxu_iDE_IYKFvqOBq6vvzqLSdma0kDJUrU8LY4M_gU/s320/IMG_5592.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beach Side View</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE0KgiUycMhT5PIt6yYH5TRg8dmMV33gjOpoU9z9Jq_BWUtbKCAbeHaTGNnnWysBxE8Tka7ZceAJIJMxIJugR37ybDxcZFlFeaMUuyVk02IsjkmdSSUYhz7D35pnbp6_1VCnitrheAQZM/s1600/IMG_5598.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE0KgiUycMhT5PIt6yYH5TRg8dmMV33gjOpoU9z9Jq_BWUtbKCAbeHaTGNnnWysBxE8Tka7ZceAJIJMxIJugR37ybDxcZFlFeaMUuyVk02IsjkmdSSUYhz7D35pnbp6_1VCnitrheAQZM/s320/IMG_5598.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Art Galleries</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL8k1GZnPW1Yn5LkBRIIazym_8U8BqQH2Xf_nBzOi5PdCArGVXODF9mOQ8OpKGFdSo37QOo1k7waFZ6LFMU7oJbFnLDf-DuA7WYjdSM0rWkMooiCDrs3ZVzfZc3MvIEsIXmhBMJm2znRo/s1600/IMG_5605.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="255" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL8k1GZnPW1Yn5LkBRIIazym_8U8BqQH2Xf_nBzOi5PdCArGVXODF9mOQ8OpKGFdSo37QOo1k7waFZ6LFMU7oJbFnLDf-DuA7WYjdSM0rWkMooiCDrs3ZVzfZc3MvIEsIXmhBMJm2znRo/s320/IMG_5605.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Small Town Transportation</td></tr>
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With our first month coming to completion next week, our time has been spent setting up the house, making address changes, opening up new bank accounts, securing internet service, visiting immigration, dealing with a plumber and finding a dentist for El Señor. This may not sound like much, but living in Mexico, these are "high five" accomplishments!<br />
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Our adventures are just beginning.........<br />
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Hope you enjoyed the read,<br />
La Señora <br />
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<br />La Señora, The Storytellerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17517090137002072319noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3819336654783016439.post-80788965014280227742016-04-23T12:13:00.002-05:002016-04-23T12:16:50.115-05:00Working Off The Short Clock<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZP6AfMA4cczhCrYgcip140rYlJS2Au2wQZeeowWInnr4OBF3_4Ctjq_0yXpSKqbVX2ycX2Bn6msXkqrnLyy2CrGpajcnGWoLi2bQ4PcrrawWZ2OKExJt6siNYaYGxrUTSu-m5peFJDak/s1600/IMG_5099.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="234" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZP6AfMA4cczhCrYgcip140rYlJS2Au2wQZeeowWInnr4OBF3_4Ctjq_0yXpSKqbVX2ycX2Bn6msXkqrnLyy2CrGpajcnGWoLi2bQ4PcrrawWZ2OKExJt6siNYaYGxrUTSu-m5peFJDak/s320/IMG_5099.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Spring Blooming Jacaranda Tree</td></tr>
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Our time was winding down. With only 1 week left of our travels in Querétaro, I picked up a nasty parasite. Returning home to the Yucatan became our priority. 3 weeks have since past and so has the nasty parasite! Good health is our richest possession in life.............<br />
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We have had a lot of interest about our travels and whether or not we have made a decision on moving to Querétaro. After all of our exploring and research, we do not feel it is the right fit for us. Though the pros did outweigh the cons, my main obstacle is that this "Nervous Nelly" would never drive there! Querétaro's location makes it a crossroads for travel within Mexico. Though this is a "pro", it brings an enormous amount of traffic to the area outside of Historic Central. The highways are busy with commuters, travelers and heavy cargo trucks. It can take up to 20 minutes or more just to merge onto the highways from the city. I guess I will always be a small town girl!<br />
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Curious minds have also been asking if we have seen Trump in Mexico? I can say yes and the proof is in the picture. Just saying, I think this is a reflection on how Mexico feels about the man!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqj-8dhiXcdul6U7LfvAAly3Q-ot5vKbzFUm0jyHykh20IwnBKJvEWH9iNMrgYkYz3QENxVzt7BQmsrOgKylNKIh2zVGkT_8By1npjCAvpC60sFFs2MdHoqm1N8cizzTnUuc6dYHPhops/s1600/IMG_5102.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqj-8dhiXcdul6U7LfvAAly3Q-ot5vKbzFUm0jyHykh20IwnBKJvEWH9iNMrgYkYz3QENxVzt7BQmsrOgKylNKIh2zVGkT_8By1npjCAvpC60sFFs2MdHoqm1N8cizzTnUuc6dYHPhops/s320/IMG_5102.JPG" width="174" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trump Pinata</td></tr>
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Do we still want to move? Yes! The question as to where still remains and so the adventure of relocating continues.............<br />
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Hope you have enjoyed!<br />
La Señora<br />
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<br />La Señora, The Storytellerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17517090137002072319noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3819336654783016439.post-69315164614812699032016-03-20T11:22:00.000-05:002016-03-20T11:22:19.492-05:00Bernal, The Magical Town, Road Trip #3Welcome to Bernal.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDT4iZiRzwymYrrmHg4xUU7rBdbM6Wv8UNm3YslW53tt8mX8S65IhXZtakcDPaP1UxXEWTTeXY6cyEcCSbYU326WpMX1ZmZv2g8xcLE2CGLIv-zf5qrXWeSvnZ7OIPE_Pp2QF4PsCOsoI/s1600/IMG_4989.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDT4iZiRzwymYrrmHg4xUU7rBdbM6Wv8UNm3YslW53tt8mX8S65IhXZtakcDPaP1UxXEWTTeXY6cyEcCSbYU326WpMX1ZmZv2g8xcLE2CGLIv-zf5qrXWeSvnZ7OIPE_Pp2QF4PsCOsoI/s320/IMG_4989.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Peña de Bernal</td></tr>
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The Peña de Bernal is the third largest monolith in the entire world! In 2007, Bernal acquired the title of Pueblo Mágico (Magical Town). Meaning, the town has magical symbolic attributes and the history to support theses findings. Weather you believe in magic or not, when your feet touch down in Bernal, you feel good.........<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip1eCHdpELImLTT8ABFBV_XxB82hFbDb2DroJSZ2b-pb8wA7tHaors6qwLzEf5ZhyxUFJTktv5xMnDDILvMQ6oDSZcmc13b1a0hbTzoY4K1-hA9QoBn8o50_wKmcpHpW_TKnB-aQdlavs/s1600/IMG_4990.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip1eCHdpELImLTT8ABFBV_XxB82hFbDb2DroJSZ2b-pb8wA7tHaors6qwLzEf5ZhyxUFJTktv5xMnDDILvMQ6oDSZcmc13b1a0hbTzoY4K1-hA9QoBn8o50_wKmcpHpW_TKnB-aQdlavs/s320/IMG_4990.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Halfway to Starting Point</td></tr>
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Reaching the base of the monolith is about a 20 minute walk up hill! There are 3 trails to choose from depending your level of endurance. The first trail is a walk around the base of the monolith. The next level has you climbing. Even though this trail has been roughly cut, don't be fooled. The rocks are smooth and due to the dryness of the season they are covered with a light dusting, that will have you slipping and sliding! The third and final trail requires rock climbing experience as well as ropes and other climbing implements. Wanting more than a walk, but not being experienced rock climbers, we choose the second trail. El Señor and I encountered a few challenges along the way but I can proudly say we made it! A proud achievement for this scaredy-cat, La Señora has a fear of heights. Strangely, as long as I do not look down, I can climb upward without a problem, But when the time comes to descend, my legs turn to jelly, I tense up and my shaking body takes away my capability to balance. In other words, I have to crawl down on all fours!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDyh_ZMCT2Ycv2I_vkS9hbOg8CqlggnVYRYJewGr90VHHyDmZZGOJWBUkKq8UOr_RsrhtDbYn36wqaQPkPWnn1DObAm7P0-3EPRv1vEL2s5OCP3IfShMVg8hYt6-Uh_IVX20nwOk8CFa0/s1600/IMG_4986.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDyh_ZMCT2Ycv2I_vkS9hbOg8CqlggnVYRYJewGr90VHHyDmZZGOJWBUkKq8UOr_RsrhtDbYn36wqaQPkPWnn1DObAm7P0-3EPRv1vEL2s5OCP3IfShMVg8hYt6-Uh_IVX20nwOk8CFa0/s320/IMG_4986.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rules of Climbing / Enjoyed the English Translation</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw-OT-ahqaqfAIR6JETOMOCR3Z07puGeHsBiO0qew4nl0AmgvsnY5XKR4UstiA0ch0J-5POQ3GGJnQbdtAEB4q5jkjnI4WbYGwN77I-LxidTGGV_D0aFe1skU3BOALo9zI5emUdoA2B3s/s1600/IMG_5002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw-OT-ahqaqfAIR6JETOMOCR3Z07puGeHsBiO0qew4nl0AmgvsnY5XKR4UstiA0ch0J-5POQ3GGJnQbdtAEB4q5jkjnI4WbYGwN77I-LxidTGGV_D0aFe1skU3BOALo9zI5emUdoA2B3s/s320/IMG_5002.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dusting on the Rocks</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRZRx1AGSJb6xNRS29vQ9YASLjkl1QOq9H3yibkrDMShPr9udxUv_66C1P2J4JzvkoNS9Y9LaZXcHf0Mvl8ls1rKuLrY7z6YJYjiJNXPXmNRo4aKx2kFHJRQ0715R9Q1P30P0J_kxg4bg/s1600/IMG_4998.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRZRx1AGSJb6xNRS29vQ9YASLjkl1QOq9H3yibkrDMShPr9udxUv_66C1P2J4JzvkoNS9Y9LaZXcHf0Mvl8ls1rKuLrY7z6YJYjiJNXPXmNRo4aKx2kFHJRQ0715R9Q1P30P0J_kxg4bg/s320/IMG_4998.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from Halfway Point of Climb</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY7KPMZeHWZlWXA2pfcQmZ5CEB7uEFAChb5n0dtRp5tJLsM1BjJq9Shn8Ee-__wKaqoJwNppg7tIlegEZCz441nFITlsm-3xpSsnaultSzAUmZ3Hx5OdzqHjQFl8tgLYN6n-uPbVNeHrs/s1600/IMG_5014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY7KPMZeHWZlWXA2pfcQmZ5CEB7uEFAChb5n0dtRp5tJLsM1BjJq9Shn8Ee-__wKaqoJwNppg7tIlegEZCz441nFITlsm-3xpSsnaultSzAUmZ3Hx5OdzqHjQFl8tgLYN6n-uPbVNeHrs/s320/IMG_5014.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We Made It!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhckrXRYbifoiW-qy0FDgVWKDkTUlciXuqUGjRpaoy_d2dKURXjdE4j7vBgH3Bis1bpM6GAepm_VIIKJEjpoZY68tLgt1AEg0-1Ush4rp9ghR3cLVw10hDOlim3ldbEqe5x7hMtZ7UMeJQ/s1600/IMG_5015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhckrXRYbifoiW-qy0FDgVWKDkTUlciXuqUGjRpaoy_d2dKURXjdE4j7vBgH3Bis1bpM6GAepm_VIIKJEjpoZY68tLgt1AEg0-1Ush4rp9ghR3cLVw10hDOlim3ldbEqe5x7hMtZ7UMeJQ/s320/IMG_5015.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Final View</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFc7S1yja9dbyJVTGmX1XgATC05IHLz1Qu5GBA2vFA3rsP9jUr8OZSZEVebD6BmvKeYAvvkfSG4DnzeICho14mdgU_BfEAavjf0OwvN16_syskyzAeecSzG4LF77b38AALNopPZAlq5o0/s1600/IMG_5020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFc7S1yja9dbyJVTGmX1XgATC05IHLz1Qu5GBA2vFA3rsP9jUr8OZSZEVebD6BmvKeYAvvkfSG4DnzeICho14mdgU_BfEAavjf0OwvN16_syskyzAeecSzG4LF77b38AALNopPZAlq5o0/s320/IMG_5020.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Coming Down</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc6N9dDdRao8x9BhV6iNXaP2ke07CilJMCpnQ0GlGHPj0xfAUJqCODEmg6fy6hjPzgTGd9zXkW0ri0d-vxjueeurB28OroHVx0HeJ3-DUOCWMVCvtjh1rgm7snrfbg7mkTIr6GBY70hw4/s1600/IMG_5033.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc6N9dDdRao8x9BhV6iNXaP2ke07CilJMCpnQ0GlGHPj0xfAUJqCODEmg6fy6hjPzgTGd9zXkW0ri0d-vxjueeurB28OroHVx0HeJ3-DUOCWMVCvtjh1rgm7snrfbg7mkTIr6GBY70hw4/s320/IMG_5033.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">El Señor, Waiting on La Señora<br />
"Don't worry, I will stop you if you fall"</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbkJRnpqcffzE8vg27LfvtyUtskeCN7geP6ifs7aDzSH8LUdpuZQpMyQ8WPLh132wrkb1GdhCvEjwexV1ylFWb9v7kwLfsAh8tSGTKA_G_TAat6iuiFc7kaXTTPU_8l_Tm2SuP3UFOYCM/s1600/IMG_5028.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbkJRnpqcffzE8vg27LfvtyUtskeCN7geP6ifs7aDzSH8LUdpuZQpMyQ8WPLh132wrkb1GdhCvEjwexV1ylFWb9v7kwLfsAh8tSGTKA_G_TAat6iuiFc7kaXTTPU_8l_Tm2SuP3UFOYCM/s320/IMG_5028.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yeah....Still In One Piece!</td></tr>
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Though the monolith is the first reason people go to Bernal, the second reason is for the blue corn gorditas. A gordita is like a small pita pocket, cooked on a griddle, then cut open and filled with your choice of goodness! There is only one way to eat a gordita and that is with your hands. By using a fork and knife you would deprive yourself of the full experience.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj24_l1SreHqNwPgAvWb_9UGKvfMn9vS9uCKaX3Zp7v0kZTuZf3EX-mEYZfWY6UNZFM4UosMLpKLBx_qkT9A3YzUgaHJhFh9WUsLJKLaRzCbpJgv22nb4YaO1hDCmWx7sgx9QQKLWNNh8A/s1600/IMG_5051.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj24_l1SreHqNwPgAvWb_9UGKvfMn9vS9uCKaX3Zp7v0kZTuZf3EX-mEYZfWY6UNZFM4UosMLpKLBx_qkT9A3YzUgaHJhFh9WUsLJKLaRzCbpJgv22nb4YaO1hDCmWx7sgx9QQKLWNNh8A/s320/IMG_5051.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fresh Gorditas Made to Order</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgMU7_ElRw30sMGg05kI-GMfyoSU3FeSYy95tx-oava9Z9VTwP4uKS8gQbso8rTPmQ3LVBUN13EWHPyO5-ZjCfTJfnOx56ecX_Sf5D_XjiSJH0VRtw3KTpO7dDAqnKi-o3FZFWTw2qMr4/s1600/IMG_5046.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgMU7_ElRw30sMGg05kI-GMfyoSU3FeSYy95tx-oava9Z9VTwP4uKS8gQbso8rTPmQ3LVBUN13EWHPyO5-ZjCfTJfnOx56ecX_Sf5D_XjiSJH0VRtw3KTpO7dDAqnKi-o3FZFWTw2qMr4/s320/IMG_5046.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Left: Potato and Chorrizo, <br />
Right: Refried Beans with Cream Corn and Poblano Chile </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY8e4fPuMnUuFAqbYCjVDpszEENODTs3TMvj_3eeQB45_6EVHu73GAZLmrhiPN0neuOVtsSC92j7KY7MZqkrO7mCOZQonjgDgGd-5b0fcBKsyHGk40yeDH0LSosUYp-qXmaDF_u7iB4lQ/s1600/IMG_5047.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY8e4fPuMnUuFAqbYCjVDpszEENODTs3TMvj_3eeQB45_6EVHu73GAZLmrhiPN0neuOVtsSC92j7KY7MZqkrO7mCOZQonjgDgGd-5b0fcBKsyHGk40yeDH0LSosUYp-qXmaDF_u7iB4lQ/s320/IMG_5047.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Going For It</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl8oVfOqgO-hOAxD24ulMQ1jFJ3HCBNmNg1Lyr4EK60UMS4Pz_ved9p5848esZ3maqF9I7gDV7lmscxCHG-bmI1cxXlqhtCvDmt6_Fz2E-PN38Vyam5YTrpApa6fTOgO1skeU0lDNha3g/s1600/IMG_5050.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl8oVfOqgO-hOAxD24ulMQ1jFJ3HCBNmNg1Lyr4EK60UMS4Pz_ved9p5848esZ3maqF9I7gDV7lmscxCHG-bmI1cxXlqhtCvDmt6_Fz2E-PN38Vyam5YTrpApa6fTOgO1skeU0lDNha3g/s320/IMG_5050.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Good Eating</td></tr>
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Signs of success are everywhere for this little town of 3,000 people. Renovations and improvements are currently in the works, making way for more, hotels, restaurants and shopping. I know a return visit we will have us saying to each other, "remember when"........................<br />
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To all my followers, Happy Spring!<br />
Hope you have enjoyed.<br />
La Señora<br />
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<br />La Señora, The Storytellerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17517090137002072319noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3819336654783016439.post-82648406803603249562016-03-15T19:53:00.000-05:002016-03-15T19:53:22.600-05:00Friends in Guanajuato City, Road Trip #2You know you have been blessed when you look upon a friendship as family........<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixhVtswTK2Zj2irmTOgW1KixCIXkNoEXFwfwThuJTHkPBQPEEAlx6DyU830MSC6a4FXl7z4_okCjj4xKUVXKdq0YPt7FgDK8LFZGX4wFgOHWlFa8234JdXyjs_-LP_GWzBzeaF2pCG1qE/s1600/IMG_4929.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="249" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixhVtswTK2Zj2irmTOgW1KixCIXkNoEXFwfwThuJTHkPBQPEEAlx6DyU830MSC6a4FXl7z4_okCjj4xKUVXKdq0YPt7FgDK8LFZGX4wFgOHWlFa8234JdXyjs_-LP_GWzBzeaF2pCG1qE/s320/IMG_4929.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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We met Patrice and Tom the winter of 2006, on a beach, in Progreso, Yucatan. We share a "small world" moment. Patrice and Tom are from our home state of Wisconsin, and lived within an hour of our former residence! With so much in common, the friendship came fast and easy. Ten years later, Patrice and I refer to each other as "Sis" and "Little Sis". These are not just words of endearment, in my eyes and heart she is a sister to me, as well as Tom being a "Big Brother". El Señor and Tom are great pals, bonded by a mutual love for sports and all things Green Bay Packers. Last week Patrice and Tom joined us in Querétaro, for a few days, as they made their way to Guanajuato. We in turn caught up with them in their travels.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5Mf0QE5t-CS-7m2-MbQjgVu8KtlDwiwywDLBYyYSB0B1vWjU1V1Ez8Gjl5IlRWTLiUtHISzslmul8UOVD4KZjRJyXRvbKAJHIFTae1C3ZyAlefwcR7fbpSBA3o29nMbQqkN_V1bLWf7E/s1600/IMG_4937.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5Mf0QE5t-CS-7m2-MbQjgVu8KtlDwiwywDLBYyYSB0B1vWjU1V1Ez8Gjl5IlRWTLiUtHISzslmul8UOVD4KZjRJyXRvbKAJHIFTae1C3ZyAlefwcR7fbpSBA3o29nMbQqkN_V1bLWf7E/s320/IMG_4937.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beautiful Guanajuato</td></tr>
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Guanajuato is a must see destination. It is the San Francisco of Mexico filled with continuous hills, winding roads, narrow sidewalks, tight alleyways and long sets of stairs to carry you up and down the mountainside. Oh, and it is incredibly beautiful! Strong legs and good walking shoes are required. The streets can be so narrow that a passing bus will have the hair on your arms standing at attention!<br />
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Here is a look at some of the city's prized landmarks.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjlvQfh1LLQavv2Hx6GP3QaqUqorCz9S9Y3X3kXIMIujIUtHAgZwcId5wpA3q0uuoCEUnmNQs1JHF4gyoxR19UXwKLbA5L0zpFwVA6djMbienm7ICgw5m1Z6sNsLMFoEiWeFHp-oFh23I/s1600/IMG_4880.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjlvQfh1LLQavv2Hx6GP3QaqUqorCz9S9Y3X3kXIMIujIUtHAgZwcId5wpA3q0uuoCEUnmNQs1JHF4gyoxR19UXwKLbA5L0zpFwVA6djMbienm7ICgw5m1Z6sNsLMFoEiWeFHp-oFh23I/s320/IMG_4880.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Teatro Juarez / Theater Juarez, 1903</td></tr>
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The Diego Rivera House and Museum. Childhood home of Mexico's famed painter and husband to the equally famous artist Frida Kahlo. Diego was born in this house and spent most of his childhood here.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGyGEWx-_RRbNrIXFhJ-JjoK5jMB8pUxqPCF2FBI6prQBVn3v2m5SU1QZBWy5kvR06CSkoJB9m4fhkom0xyb7lc9lJCMWmDR3zFpGKR_BDRKjZ-Jx7JTYqldtr-F7DXDQIBuqLGayfmFY/s1600/IMG_4973.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGyGEWx-_RRbNrIXFhJ-JjoK5jMB8pUxqPCF2FBI6prQBVn3v2m5SU1QZBWy5kvR06CSkoJB9m4fhkom0xyb7lc9lJCMWmDR3zFpGKR_BDRKjZ-Jx7JTYqldtr-F7DXDQIBuqLGayfmFY/s320/IMG_4973.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">La Señora Taking Direction From Diego Rivera</td></tr>
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The Alhondigas de Granaditas or House of Grain. Site of the September 28, 1810 "Siege of the Alhondiga". This was the first battle of the Mexican War of Independence, between the insurgents and the royalist troops. The royalist troops made their stand by taking refuge in the House of Grain. With few windows, thick walls and only one entrance, the insurgents were unable to take this building until a poor miner known as El Pípila made his move. Pípila strapped a large stone onto his back and crawled to the wooden door carrying a flask of tar and a torch. Upon reaching the door, using the tar and torch, he set the door on fire. This allowed the insurgents entry to retake the building. El Pípila's actions are commemorated in the form of a huge stone statue, that overlooks the city, sitting proudly on San Miguel Hill.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9VFNBXnwG9bN57zf-vn_HSclIfNQ2F95IKxpqKeIKtdV4D0Feh3HhZt0aGQ3CSL9UvzwwKaC3BtVWNmWrVQM-R3Luh-ifoczkcMWbYH3jRCFRV33BaOuq1CxIaf1OzytoXMKY6xrdZ6g/s1600/IMG_4901.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="253" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9VFNBXnwG9bN57zf-vn_HSclIfNQ2F95IKxpqKeIKtdV4D0Feh3HhZt0aGQ3CSL9UvzwwKaC3BtVWNmWrVQM-R3Luh-ifoczkcMWbYH3jRCFRV33BaOuq1CxIaf1OzytoXMKY6xrdZ6g/s320/IMG_4901.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Alhondigas de Granaditas / House of Grain</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk6-wNmftNgZTfPQ2aJQ8sCbwKvj0YeJmATRnnquMCez8-73XnsR_RASWoSKxFjGyhBTZh0-S5taycvFGQHnC93DGmoUoqmmvAVVdXo8ekGnBQEKfyOVquracZwPOegcu0fSQU3vRwKRI/s1600/IMG_4881.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk6-wNmftNgZTfPQ2aJQ8sCbwKvj0YeJmATRnnquMCez8-73XnsR_RASWoSKxFjGyhBTZh0-S5taycvFGQHnC93DGmoUoqmmvAVVdXo8ekGnBQEKfyOVquracZwPOegcu0fSQU3vRwKRI/s320/IMG_4881.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">City view of El Pípila</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbHRxaK42g3XQ9A4NHMnpuw3pg9sZ-oUZ-HRIyuNrkjLr4aful6ZtbPj8XuQ5MYg7gSQcqi8zsnf9MHZeoYWddCB-0QByeFqMCBGc_LymdSK3uFv1BFzfLfGd87_sTAJqdQtfKq7ZYcSQ/s1600/IMG_4932.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="252" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbHRxaK42g3XQ9A4NHMnpuw3pg9sZ-oUZ-HRIyuNrkjLr4aful6ZtbPj8XuQ5MYg7gSQcqi8zsnf9MHZeoYWddCB-0QByeFqMCBGc_LymdSK3uFv1BFzfLfGd87_sTAJqdQtfKq7ZYcSQ/s320/IMG_4932.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">El Pípila Monument on San Miguel Hill</td></tr>
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Due to the city's steep hillside, flooding was a serious problem. Tunnels were constructed to divert the overflowing waters during the rainy season. In 1960, the construction of a dam, brought the flooding problem under control. Today, the tunnels are used as underground roads and walkways for moving traffic more efficiently throughout the city.<br />
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The University of Guanajuato<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZPWpXby0KzTpECQy01wc8wIONbBX_q6CXpdRD8lpI_VCrEKJfgnJLVlNT9ZcjN7rzNHlulmcmbl0L51sAaZmZD2_4fWavyPqwO41OQlcZxlI6ABKfd2Yr8TIXfBqCfoCkxDQDJAyhfy0/s1600/IMG_4886.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZPWpXby0KzTpECQy01wc8wIONbBX_q6CXpdRD8lpI_VCrEKJfgnJLVlNT9ZcjN7rzNHlulmcmbl0L51sAaZmZD2_4fWavyPqwO41OQlcZxlI6ABKfd2Yr8TIXfBqCfoCkxDQDJAyhfy0/s320/IMG_4886.JPG" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">University of Guanajuato<br />Artwork by: Leonora Carrington</td></tr>
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Cathedral Basilica Nuestra Señora de Guanajuato.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisQZz74oBpwYSbAujWr8EIAYeq73koO2ebqPeUXEV5jQ02bkHZuj9STSNj2lMeVjOpUy_wg9OohKAWe4Kisf8kuChNQzvMHRWcRTeHiTi3VOe8ETJcvNzgEqr_A8r963RdKvxTSVeQ3vY/s1600/IMG_4910.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisQZz74oBpwYSbAujWr8EIAYeq73koO2ebqPeUXEV5jQ02bkHZuj9STSNj2lMeVjOpUy_wg9OohKAWe4Kisf8kuChNQzvMHRWcRTeHiTi3VOe8ETJcvNzgEqr_A8r963RdKvxTSVeQ3vY/s320/IMG_4910.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Basilica of Our Lady of Guanajuato 1696</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> Plaza de La Paz / Plaza of Peace Monument</td></tr>
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In honor of Miguel Cervantes, author of Don Quixote.<br />
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Callejón del Beso or Alley of the Kiss, is only 66 inches wide. It is the city's most famous and photographed alleyway. According to folklore, couples who kiss on third step, painted red, are guaranteed 7 years of happiness together. A newer tradition to this site are the locks of love, securing your love for eternity.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Locks of Love</td></tr>
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Not one to pass up good karma, El Señor and I couldn't resist..........<br />
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Next stop, Bernal!<br />
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I hope you have enjoyed,<br />
La SeñoraLa Señora, The Storytellerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17517090137002072319noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3819336654783016439.post-83251795805405238122016-03-11T16:03:00.000-06:002016-03-11T16:03:05.327-06:00Defining Querétaro<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Santiago de Querétaro is the capital and largest city of the state of Querétaro. The word Querétaro has multiple meanings:<br />
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In the Indigenous Languages of the Otomi and Purépecha, the meaning is "Ball Game" and "Place of Crags", referring to the rocky hills.<br />
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In Pre-Columbian terminology, the meaning is "Island of the Blue Salamanders", "Place of Reptiles" or "Place of Giant Rocks".<br />
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In the Spanish Language, the meaning is "Place of Great People".<br />
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In La Señora Language, the meaning is "City of Churches and Fountains".<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVQmYRcFCRHuGD6QkqmYCO2HgfMuN1Sdcb0ezpezTcATR46cc6pOpb-DlGFM7xe8bsoP4BJaPyzmipVVbEHaS8lroQIgpJGlZi0n2mIy1fdenn73bViiMShtOIlaaejYSAEV5zTJ4kkRw/s1600/IMG_4485.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVQmYRcFCRHuGD6QkqmYCO2HgfMuN1Sdcb0ezpezTcATR46cc6pOpb-DlGFM7xe8bsoP4BJaPyzmipVVbEHaS8lroQIgpJGlZi0n2mIy1fdenn73bViiMShtOIlaaejYSAEV5zTJ4kkRw/s320/IMG_4485.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Templo de La Santa Cruz </td></tr>
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I am probably short changing the city when I say there are hundreds of churches and fountains! From almost every street you can see a church or at least have a view of a church steeple or dome. With over 96% of the population being Catholic, I guess this should come as no surprise. Many of the churches can lay claim to their own fountain, as well as the plazas, parks and most street corners. I am in awe of the magnificent and detailed architecture of the churches and the artistic creativity of the fountains. I am also peacefully awaken each morning, at 5:15, by the ringing of the church bells.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Capilla de La Merced Dome</td></tr>
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On our Sunday morning walks it is not unusual to see many of these churches filled to capacity! For some reason, I am affected by the site of this and I find myself stopping and staring in admiration. I do not understand why this moves me, but it does. Maybe it is the passion, peace, dedication or loyalty to something greater than mankind. Who am I kidding, this Catholic girl is feeling guilty about standing on the outside looking in!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuFyJmEhR8T8g_Dop4jm6o9EOrMJFBc9qATuevRk9OdZ5LLh-ea16326v1a_45VWKSNNCjy-90c-8pSIyHFA3FZ7WajOctp1rHXGguHU1boeK-5GRUOtrpekLkoCnEbfW4LzAHi6h8T_M/s1600/IMG_4373.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuFyJmEhR8T8g_Dop4jm6o9EOrMJFBc9qATuevRk9OdZ5LLh-ea16326v1a_45VWKSNNCjy-90c-8pSIyHFA3FZ7WajOctp1rHXGguHU1boeK-5GRUOtrpekLkoCnEbfW4LzAHi6h8T_M/s320/IMG_4373.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Templo de Santa Rosa de Viterbo</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM8YNHXZHF3lEW55Y4WTR6I11Oby00KvtaaVv4wmgZZa-FfA45YvM4SHepD9QJ8wk5o5Ow4ZysppAH-PlWKeyIaE2mfvkJqcmDDbffDzXmDWfdCL5Pca8NkmaNjWzLqpm4M6_k3x1osGU/s1600/IMG_4391.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM8YNHXZHF3lEW55Y4WTR6I11Oby00KvtaaVv4wmgZZa-FfA45YvM4SHepD9QJ8wk5o5Ow4ZysppAH-PlWKeyIaE2mfvkJqcmDDbffDzXmDWfdCL5Pca8NkmaNjWzLqpm4M6_k3x1osGU/s320/IMG_4391.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Templo de Santo Domingo</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjowWCXYtpIEbRYVPwUZHonEJv2aJDxhjIMTjKgIxlxXQdT5Cpg1Tzvyh0mqaWZZ1uiC5DPXok3Km3sTvQNQjQlyJUJzifxaXPiTCwe-umQRouVS4cRD4V1tIGVE3qmEBDjlkvbxdAU4Gc/s1600/IMG_4703.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjowWCXYtpIEbRYVPwUZHonEJv2aJDxhjIMTjKgIxlxXQdT5Cpg1Tzvyh0mqaWZZ1uiC5DPXok3Km3sTvQNQjQlyJUJzifxaXPiTCwe-umQRouVS4cRD4V1tIGVE3qmEBDjlkvbxdAU4Gc/s320/IMG_4703.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Templo de San Francisco</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEV-dzJCkDc6DUx-HnG6FOa92t3cGHlACOQX_AZ2mEhqBfHt7gPP0eDk1bzHXg-YIxqSJKJewd7kRlkzoqm85JHYATqIULI2R0WjO69c36wRY8MEq9qwsrxRmxohVJW8YRAKv4vcpvdtQ/s1600/IMG_4736.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEV-dzJCkDc6DUx-HnG6FOa92t3cGHlACOQX_AZ2mEhqBfHt7gPP0eDk1bzHXg-YIxqSJKJewd7kRlkzoqm85JHYATqIULI2R0WjO69c36wRY8MEq9qwsrxRmxohVJW8YRAKv4vcpvdtQ/s320/IMG_4736.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunset View of Church Steeples and Domes</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKGvFBW8DgTIWlkwVrH9N9PLmcmR0u-i0FEL-lSh3JM56m2XvPHT2uvJOjmsjMxtgrsa4STOxX9QvuAHgo8QQASOLIlpheAoZy5UTqJM_8oYYIvIdO-X5VGzrIhCyJHCfHCfpE95weQpE/s1600/IMG_4588.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKGvFBW8DgTIWlkwVrH9N9PLmcmR0u-i0FEL-lSh3JM56m2XvPHT2uvJOjmsjMxtgrsa4STOxX9QvuAHgo8QQASOLIlpheAoZy5UTqJM_8oYYIvIdO-X5VGzrIhCyJHCfHCfpE95weQpE/s320/IMG_4588.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Plaza de Armas</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7A3lD-CzrnYOUptsp0XJvJ70IWabfRCkzxFMC0eVZT9l5YfXZSGf3G76GfCrZ_178NhzYChh-ixjkoAIFEaDIQm7DVjy0-WID-i_KEQvglfMCcO8gK30r9W4B387B_uyQ5rq9llX2JYE/s1600/IMG_4524.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7A3lD-CzrnYOUptsp0XJvJ70IWabfRCkzxFMC0eVZT9l5YfXZSGf3G76GfCrZ_178NhzYChh-ixjkoAIFEaDIQm7DVjy0-WID-i_KEQvglfMCcO8gK30r9W4B387B_uyQ5rq9llX2JYE/s320/IMG_4524.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hill of Bells, Children's Fountain</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHjE55W3fCCU_jdBYGTam-Ox8wZ6YVy5Nt98xuhbtRZqwA-2dT_hhLqUFoJ79kTwloz-DeEzUTv0Wfa9lhYXW8wrv_UM-LzTFBxpMGd1BZWQwDjn437Zi1yFxOhDZl9AEHsJdpY6hIDpQ/s1600/IMG_4850.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="258" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHjE55W3fCCU_jdBYGTam-Ox8wZ6YVy5Nt98xuhbtRZqwA-2dT_hhLqUFoJ79kTwloz-DeEzUTv0Wfa9lhYXW8wrv_UM-LzTFBxpMGd1BZWQwDjn437Zi1yFxOhDZl9AEHsJdpY6hIDpQ/s320/IMG_4850.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Calle Cinco de Mayo</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMSqH-G1wxaBfXqAn5FaVu6VUypqZyhqnvl96-EyFtHt7kXC90e-9UFRbPK38PMLgQlMvNQ691diqahmOdtSn_KtPnl52-98-qivbq0_whcd_waYVp_lWusHSIQihkcOePyj5C46MeAVE/s1600/IMG_4852.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMSqH-G1wxaBfXqAn5FaVu6VUypqZyhqnvl96-EyFtHt7kXC90e-9UFRbPK38PMLgQlMvNQ691diqahmOdtSn_KtPnl52-98-qivbq0_whcd_waYVp_lWusHSIQihkcOePyj5C46MeAVE/s320/IMG_4852.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Otomi Warrior Fountain</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbBexhmAH1mOaW34T7R-iOodhVTgM1KXl-p8ipp9bTP9LNWh3JPwCoOi-lgJJW0HcsG4AKllO1HNlmsxiU6hdjpaUqxfmYdrjrjy9G24w4OiyYVFuHCdxhHKKI4rdW-2bJMMf0RLGA2iE/s1600/IMG_4856.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbBexhmAH1mOaW34T7R-iOodhVTgM1KXl-p8ipp9bTP9LNWh3JPwCoOi-lgJJW0HcsG4AKllO1HNlmsxiU6hdjpaUqxfmYdrjrjy9G24w4OiyYVFuHCdxhHKKI4rdW-2bJMMf0RLGA2iE/s320/IMG_4856.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Neptune / Temple de Santa Clara</td></tr>
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I hope you have enjoyed!<br />
La Señora<br />
<br />La Señora, The Storytellerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17517090137002072319noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3819336654783016439.post-47139866108307516482016-03-09T07:25:00.001-06:002016-03-09T07:25:44.220-06:00San Miguel de Allende - Road Trip #1Querétaro's central location within Mexico makes it a travelers crossroad. Depending on your direction, and to name just a few, within 1-3 hours you can be in San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato, or Mexico City. El Señor and I have 3 planned trips during our visit. Last week we decided to spread our wings by taking a day trip to San Miguel de Allende. San Miguel de Allende is a city that has been gifted with the "WOW" factor! As you come into town, the view before you is of a populated valley with an incredible rose colored structure, know as La Parroquia de San Miguel Arcángel or Parish Church of St. Michael the Archangel, that appears to be reaching up to heaven. Believe me, this site is a "WOW" moment.........<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhksD7s8AWIj9O9M4NsehHUTBAiuGCqNrMK9PwSx7U_jYfN-l3myWeMV1WaDjr7nPRAwZuAm78UFqdgN3ym9b8nsz9o2XusxImdDvWUjq69Mg78msgwmRG7pUvtXmbL1cLaTYZly4uZvkA/s1600/IMG_4751.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="272" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhksD7s8AWIj9O9M4NsehHUTBAiuGCqNrMK9PwSx7U_jYfN-l3myWeMV1WaDjr7nPRAwZuAm78UFqdgN3ym9b8nsz9o2XusxImdDvWUjq69Mg78msgwmRG7pUvtXmbL1cLaTYZly4uZvkA/s320/IMG_4751.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View, Coming Into The Town of San Miguel de Allende</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvWorxtocxWT71ow9Jar_OrgzqoaXcgZ7oxuAoOud2qvF1gp5kBORcHxe-C8JmKDLPQhs2GAGdoSErYLt-fjXjfNanh7AgmhauWHaO5hhoeR9PBylIrlNplhqzfbE30b-ycbfViaFSw9k/s1600/IMG_4774.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvWorxtocxWT71ow9Jar_OrgzqoaXcgZ7oxuAoOud2qvF1gp5kBORcHxe-C8JmKDLPQhs2GAGdoSErYLt-fjXjfNanh7AgmhauWHaO5hhoeR9PBylIrlNplhqzfbE30b-ycbfViaFSw9k/s320/IMG_4774.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">La Parroquia de San Miguel Arcángel</td></tr>
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In the late 1930's and early 1940's the town began to attract artists and writers. Stirling Dickinson, a prominent American writer and artist, established the Instituto Allende, which led to the building of another art and culture school known as Escuela de Bellas Artes. Both schools found success after the Second World War, when U.S. Veterans studying under the G.I. Bill were allowed to study abroad. Since then, the town has continued to attract a significant amount of artists, writers, foreign retirees, and tourists as well as hotels, shops and restaurants, making San Miguel an unique destination and experience!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9QUddOz2asmDFFZd5T-Cq2GAzz8QI6lIKapJHQqnbhmsS7H02kbuKFqV1U5RQ8qLoLBNiC3znVob_CBe1UYhfn8RliusdHPILSX2kSshuo9RchldXv-v7vUJvwvuxgtek4qX2QY8prOY/s1600/IMG_4823.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9QUddOz2asmDFFZd5T-Cq2GAzz8QI6lIKapJHQqnbhmsS7H02kbuKFqV1U5RQ8qLoLBNiC3znVob_CBe1UYhfn8RliusdHPILSX2kSshuo9RchldXv-v7vUJvwvuxgtek4qX2QY8prOY/s320/IMG_4823.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Artsy Home </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6ZQa9FER6JeEJe4YReXNitMylPEtBRALZtybt-T5BrCoY80ZI5jQ3ZgCgF2l_YP8TlvTgfk0NLnhW_s01RDQR8xN81cryKOQA22-G-BHc16aRQYDORBe0NEeIjml6gABRHr9zarJRFKU/s1600/IMG_4821.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6ZQa9FER6JeEJe4YReXNitMylPEtBRALZtybt-T5BrCoY80ZI5jQ3ZgCgF2l_YP8TlvTgfk0NLnhW_s01RDQR8xN81cryKOQA22-G-BHc16aRQYDORBe0NEeIjml6gABRHr9zarJRFKU/s320/IMG_4821.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Colorful Art Gallery</td></tr>
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One of San Miguel's trademark pieces of art, are the San Miguel Shoes. These shoes are made of colorful elasticized fabric for comfort with a stylish yet sensible heel for walking about on the cobblestone streets and sidewalks. Thought you would enjoy seeing this eclectic shoe collection. Sorry, I am not taking orders!<br />
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On the day of our visit an Indigenous Dance Competition was taking place in the main square! The colorful costumes, head pieces and continuous beat of the drums had us mesmerized for hours. Here is a glimpse of their art and color in motion.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjztfnlL3BBudyNA22JjMjAncXOwNhbnx1HuuwY-xpT7jRMUVa33MxCIf7gtyDjLqlWRBiQQTg8xJ9URW67D4lmPlxr6NWIuvdFemkd7uoLfq1PR2udnrD5TsRNtspSxAJzTYg-WpWbD3k/s1600/IMG_4809.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjztfnlL3BBudyNA22JjMjAncXOwNhbnx1HuuwY-xpT7jRMUVa33MxCIf7gtyDjLqlWRBiQQTg8xJ9URW67D4lmPlxr6NWIuvdFemkd7uoLfq1PR2udnrD5TsRNtspSxAJzTYg-WpWbD3k/s320/IMG_4809.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Never Too Young</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Or Too Old To Dance</td></tr>
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Next stop, Guanajuato..........<br />
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Hope you have enjoyed,<br />
La Señora<br />
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<br />La Señora, The Storytellerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17517090137002072319noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3819336654783016439.post-18677113716417243412016-03-03T16:56:00.000-06:002016-03-03T16:56:08.950-06:00Waiting On The Morning Train<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I have a fascination with train travel that started in my youth. My paternal grandparents would travel by train from New York to Wisconsin for their yearly summer visits. I can remember picking up my grandparents, with my Dad, at the Amtrack Station in downtown Milwaukee. This was a very anticipated ride as a child knowing that my grandfather would arrive with pockets full of candy! It is the little things in life that seem to leave the greatest memories in my heart. I also fell in love with the train scene from the movie "White Christmas", enjoying the characters played by Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye, Rosemary Clooney and Vera Ellen as they traveled to Vermont with such grace, entertaining the viewer from the sleeping cars to the dining car.<br />
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Querétaro has an old train depot located in Centro. The depot was built in 1904 and is no longer in use for passenger travel. The railway is still a working track moving freight throughout Mexico and to the U.S. border. Today the depot is home to the Train Museum.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Old Train Depot And Museum</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Passenger Walkway</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Outdoor Waiting Area For Departures And Arrivals</td></tr>
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El Señor and I were the only guests, on the morning of our visit, allowing us to peacefully sit back, enjoy the view and imagine what it must have been like in the olden days, when everyday was filled with the hustle and bustle of travelers.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ticket Booth</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> Information Desk And Holding Closet For Bag Storage</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">El Señor Waiting On the Morning Train</td></tr>
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Over the past 8 years there has been much interest, talks and proposals regarding the revival of passenger service with a high speed rail system for intercity travel within Mexico. I hope that during my time, as a resident of Mexico, I will have the privilege to see this become a reality and be a passenger as well.<br />
Choo, choo....all aboard.............<br />
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I hope you have enjoyed and please feel free to share this blog with family and friends!<br />
La Señora<br />
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La Señora, The Storytellerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17517090137002072319noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3819336654783016439.post-18920863788728630732016-02-26T13:40:00.000-06:002016-02-26T18:54:28.293-06:00Thoughts From And For The Curious MindsAfter walking close to 100 miles over the past 2 weeks, Ok, ok I may have slightly exaggerated! Señor Google says we have walked close to 75 miles, but when you account for all the wrong turns, short cuts and back tracking to cross streets, it sure has felt like 100 miles! Needless to say we have seen a lot of the city. The following are thoughts from and for the curious minds........<br />
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As said earlier, the altitude and hills were a real challenge our first week. Now with that behind us, we are off and running! The mornings and evenings have a chill in the air. Morning temperatures average between 45-50 degrees Fahrenheit, with the days warming up to around 80-85 degrees, followed by cooler evenings that have us reaching for a sweater or jacket when we venture out. Gloves are optional, but have become my new best friend. I definitely acclimated to my life in the Yucatan. This former Wisconsin girl would have worn shorts and a t shirt in weather of 45-50 degrees! The climate is much dryer, my skin is flaking and my hands are chapped, but on the flip side, my wild mop of hair is under control and looking pretty good these days!<br />
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This beautiful city is a bit smaller than Merida, but I find it has more of a big city personality. Unlike the warmth you find in the people of Yucatan, a simple greeting or acknowledgment in the passing of a stranger on the street is rarely heard here. Just like a big city, everyone is busy and in a hurry. The urban sprawl is divided into 5 sections: 1) Commercial, 2) Industrial, 3) Technological, 4) Agriculture and 5) Historical Centro. Once you depart from the cobblestone streets of Centro, you are in suburbia, you immediately notice an increase in traffic, larger paved roads and multiple highways. Overall the city is very pedestrian friendly. Bus drivers and vehicles actually stop to allow the pedestrian to cross the street. Unlike the Yucatan, where driving is a sport, here it is more organized and played by the rules! You can managed without a vehicle, and many do, but as we all know having your own car simplifies travel. Parking is at a premium in Centro. Homeowners need to keep a vigilant eye on their driveways because you will get parked in. It is not uncommon to see orange cones, 2 chairs with a rope attached or large rocks holding sentry to private carports or garage entries!<br />
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In 1996 Querétaro was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. With standards in place to maintain this rating, the city is strictly regulated. These regulations are taken seriously with a keen eye to cleanliness. Garbage is placed in provided bins, it is not dropped in the street to blow in the wind. Residential garbage is picked up daily with the exception of Sunday. The city workers work around the clock. Weekly, in Centro, industrial water trucks with fire truck size hoses wash down the sidewalks and streets. These services add up in costs and I think it is safe to assume that property taxes are probably higher.<br />
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The water bill arrived this past week and our crazy landlord has been delinquent on past payments! We were able to decipher the bill and learned that the monthly cost of water is twice the amount of what is charged in Merida. Gas, for home or business use, in Centro, is piped in natural gas, no rooftop stationary tanks or worries of running out. We are looking forward to the arrival of the gas and electric bills for further comparison. I find grocery prices at the Market and Supermarkets to be the same as in Merida, with the exception of fresh bakery being lower in cost here. Eating out can be as economical or expensive as you wish. There are hundreds of options for every wallet, from regional to international foods. With so many young professionals, variety and quality are in demand. Boutique retailers, shopping malls, home goods, gourmet restaurants and coffee houses are highly competitive businesses.<br />
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Our needs so far have been met within Centro and the Commercial area of town. Centro is where I would want to live. Everything El Señor and I need and enjoy having close by is here. Even thinking ahead to aging legs and knees, Centro remains walkable. The Commercial area provides us with all the goods and services that make life easier, maybe not necessary, but a comfort zone within a life outside of our culture. This is where you will find the private hospitals, large shopping malls, Costco, Home Depot and many other big box stores.<br />
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With still a month of exploring ahead of us, everything said is subject to change.........<br />
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Hope you have enjoyed,<br />
La Señora<br />
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<br />La Señora, The Storytellerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17517090137002072319noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3819336654783016439.post-26469330339796849722016-02-24T16:34:00.000-06:002016-02-24T16:34:45.631-06:00The Aqueduct of QuerétaroThe Aqueduct of Querétaro is an impressive city site.<br />
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The aqueduct was built by the Marqués Del Villa Del Aguila between 1726 and 1738 and consists of 75 arches, spanning approximately 4,199 feet with an average height of 75 feet.<br />
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The legend of why the aqueduct was built is a love story. The Marqués, the richest man in Querétaro, met a nun named Clarissa from the Santa Clara Convent. It was love at first sight for the Marqués and Clarissa, though a love that could not be. Clarissa, being a nun, already married to the church, would not break her vow to the Lord to be with the Marqués.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Santa Clara Church and Convent</td></tr>
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Instead, she asked the Marqués to show his love for her by building a home where they could live in spirit. The Marqués built the most beautiful house in the city, across the street from the Santa Clara Church and Convent, using the finest materials throughout Mexico and the world. The building of the aqueduct made it possible for this house to be the first in the city to have running water! The Marqués went on to share the water publicly, by building 12 fountains around the city, giving the local people access to clean drinking water. Today the aqueduct continues to bring water to the many fountains throughout the city and the "house of love" is home to the majestic Hotel La Casa De La Marquesa.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hotel La Casa De La Marquesa</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hotel Entry</td></tr>
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Hope you have enjoyed,<br />
La Señora<br />
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<br />La Señora, The Storytellerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17517090137002072319noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3819336654783016439.post-58680528947393304912016-02-17T17:51:00.000-06:002016-02-17T17:51:20.679-06:00"Q" is for Querétaro<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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We have rented a very funky casita (apartment) in downtown with an eclectic floor plan of many ups and downs! What we may find disappointing in the casita, we struck gold on the location. We are just footsteps from hundreds of shops, restaurants featuring international and regional foods, plaza cafes, coffee houses, parks and a large outdoor market filled with fresh fruits, vegetables and more.<br />
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We have taken our first week to settle in, get our directional bearings and adjust from living at approximately 3 feet above sea level in the Yucatán, to an elevation increase of 5,967 feet! The landscape is hilly and with our feet being our main source of transportation, come the end of the day, we find ourselves exhausted.<br />
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Historical Centró (downtown) is clean, charming, loaded with history and pedestrian friendly. The city regulates the locations for street vendors, noise levels, no blaring music from shop keepers or restaurants, no honking horns and best of all, no city buses allowed! The streets intertwine with callejons (alleyways) and closed streets to vehicle traffic allowing pedestrians to stroll safely at their own pace. Please enjoy the following photos as I take you for a walk through our neighborhood.<br />
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This is certainly the "honeymoon" stage of our travels, but love is in the air..........<br />
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Thank you for following along and please share with friends.<br />
La SeñoraLa Señora, The Storytellerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17517090137002072319noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3819336654783016439.post-69574077339446126842016-02-11T10:54:00.000-06:002016-02-11T10:54:07.576-06:00On The MoveEverywhere you look some place in the world is experiencing extreme weather conditions. The climate is changing. For the past 2 years the Yucatán has been getting hotter earlier, than what was considered normal, and lasting longer as well. Last year, summer arrived in March and stayed through December! Many days the humidity and temperature are equal, but we do have times when the humidity exceeds the temperature and when this happens, baby it is hot outside!<br />
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So the Señor and I are on the move and in search of a better climate! We really enjoy living in Mexico and have decided to explore an area more inland called Querétaro. Querétaro is a mountainous area northwest of Mexico City. For the next couple of months we will reside in Querétaro and decide if this city or somewhere in the surrounding area will be our new home.<br />
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Please join me on my travels. I will be sharing my experiences, photos and observations.......<br />
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Hope you have enjoyed,<br />
La Señora<br />
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<br />La Señora, The Storytellerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17517090137002072319noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3819336654783016439.post-79555071242427262802016-02-06T15:44:00.001-06:002016-02-09T15:46:47.856-06:00Life Got BusyLately I have been thinking about my blog and the need I feel to write again. It was not until I sat down to review and update the blog profile, that I realized almost 3 years have passed since my last post! All I can say is "Life Got Busy"........<br />
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We have had family illnesses. At some point our family promise to never grow old was fractured. I know this is the natural progression of life, but it is unfortunate the amount of illness that is associated with it. I feel like the faucet of life has started that annoying drip and no matter how hard you try, you cannot make it go away or stop completely.<br />
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Last year, the window of opportunity opened allowing Americans to travel to Cuba. Wanting to experience Cuba before the mass tourism boom we booked a flight! We visited the city of Havana and the country side of Trinidad. Each location unique and exciting in it's own way. What intrigued me most about Havana is the Ernest Hemingway connection. "Papa", is one of my favorite authors and Havana was his playground!<br />
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The restaurant bar known as La Bodeguita del Medio is home to the cocktail called "Mojito". One of La Bodeguita's celebrity patrons was Ernest Hemingway. Inscriptions of famous and not so famous patrons cover the walls of the restaurant inside and out. I too left my mark in Cuba.<br />
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Trinidad, where the people are as beautiful as the views! We embraced the slower pace of life and wished we had allowed more time to enjoy all that this countryside has to offer.<br />
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This past August, we were fortunate to attend the wedding of our nephew Levi and his sweet bride Lindsey! The trip home to Wisconsin united us with family and friends and inspired us to unite with even more family in Colorado, Arizona and California. Time spent with family is a precious gift we give ourselves and the sweetest time of all!<br />
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After living at the beach for 7 years, the Senor and I decided we wanted to make a change. We put our house up for sale and are happy to say it sold! We are currently living in the city of Merida and have settled into a comfortable little rental house.<br />
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Currently we are plotting our next adventure..........<br />
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Hope you have enjoyed!<br />
La SenoraLa Señora, The Storytellerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17517090137002072319noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3819336654783016439.post-72434409773903963232013-03-10T12:25:00.000-05:002013-03-10T12:25:05.104-05:00Our Hidden DoorAt one time, the houses in Progreso were made of wood. Over the years, this style of construction has transcended into concrete houses. Wooden houses still exist, but are now the minority rather than the majority. Our home is no exception. Where we may differ from other houses, is that our wooden house was never destroyed or removed from the property. You may ask, how do we know this? The previous owner is an architect, in selling the house, he shared some of the house history with us. He told us that he converted the house from a wooden structure to concrete by reinforcing the walls with cemented boulders and then applying a smooth concrete finish over the new stone walls. You can huff and you can puff, but you cannot blow our house down!<br />
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One Of The Few Remaining Wooden Houses Left In Progreso</div>
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Our House</div>
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The house history has proven itself true! We recently updated our matching guest bathrooms with new tile. Prior to the work commencing, before pictures were taken. As you can see, everything appears normal.<br />
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First, the old tiles were removed, followed by the cement adhesive and then the walls were chipped (roughed up) for the installation of the new tiles. With the walls stripped down, this was our opportunity to to have a shampoo niche placed in each shower. Once placement was decided, so began the chipping/carving of the niches. I like to refer to the sound of chipping concrete as the music of Mexico. It is a sound that you hear around town everyday. So, when the music is out of key, you know there is a problem, and our music was out of key! "Senora, we have a problem"! The wall that would house the shampoo niche for one of the bathrooms is an interior wall. In the conversion of the house from wood to concrete, because this was an interior wall, it was not reinforced, it was only covered with concrete. The depth of the niche was more than the depth of the concrete cover. Hiding behind the concrete cover was a wooden door. A completely intact solid wooden door!<br />
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Our Hidden Door</div>
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In the end, the shampoo niche locations were changed, the wooden door was once again covered in concrete and we have a job well done.<br />
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To The Right Of This Shampoo Niche Is Our Hidden Door</div>
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In Mexico, you never want to pass judgement on a house by it's outward appearance. You never know what you will find behind a door or concrete wall. I love the symbolism of our house discovery, the entryway of our journey to living abroad........<br />
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La SenoraLa Señora, The Storytellerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17517090137002072319noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3819336654783016439.post-50002079305110761242013-02-24T05:30:00.000-06:002013-02-24T05:30:05.730-06:00Dreaming In Techno Color<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Sd0Ubca8r3g/USE60Cs4AiI/AAAAAAAAHjg/M6x1ai4b-3s/s1600/Mexico+City+Trip+2012+144.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="288" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Sd0Ubca8r3g/USE60Cs4AiI/AAAAAAAAHjg/M6x1ai4b-3s/s320/Mexico+City+Trip+2012+144.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Monumental Alebrije Art Parade Exhibit, Mexico City</div>
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Alebrijes are brightly colored sculptures of fantasy creatures. This bizarre and exciting art form is the result of an illness. Artist Pedro Linares began his career in Mexico City, making pinatas and carnival masks. At the age of 30, he fell ill with a very high fever that caused him to hallucinate. In this feverish state of mind, he would dream of wild and unnaturally colored creatures and would hear the voices of people yelling "alebrije" (a nonsense word of no meaning). After Pedro recovered, he began to create his dreams using paper mache, cardboard and brightly colored paints. His work was discovered by a gallery owner in Cuernavaca, Mexico which led to commissioned work by the famous artists Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera. In 1975, a documentary made on the man and his art brought Pedro Linares worldwide exposure. But, it was not until 1990, at the age of 84, and two years before Pedro Linares' death, that he would achieve international success when he received Mexico's National Arts and Science Award in Popular Arts and Traditions.<br />
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Monumental Alebrije Art Parade Exhibit, Mexico City</div>
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Monumental Alebrije Art Parade Exhibit, Mexico City</div>
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Monumental Alebrije Art Parade Exhibit, Mexico City</div>
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Today, Pedro Linares' descendants as well as other artists carry on the tradition of Alebrije Art. For mainstream appeal and purchase, the art form has also been adapted onto wood carvings of various sizes. The more "monster" looking pieces are said to scare away bad spirits and protect the home...........<br />
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La Senora<br />
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<br />La Señora, The Storytellerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17517090137002072319noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3819336654783016439.post-26609278303381227222013-02-14T16:42:00.000-06:002013-02-14T16:42:45.084-06:00My Morning StarBy nature, I am a creature of habit and my morning ritual is the same day after day. I am an early riser. I love the peace of the morning. I take comfort in a sleeping house, knowing that everyone is safe and sound. My early morning hours are usually spent alone. This is my time, for reading, writing, watching the sun rise and appreciating my garden view from the kitchen door. But this morning, something was different in the garden. There appeared to be some color on one of the cactus plants. Thinking it was just a plastic bag that blew into the yard, I decided to deal with it later. Well, the surprise was on me. Waiting in all it's glory was a beautiful star shaped flower. A first bloom, after four years of nurturing!<br />
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My Morning Star</div>
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Anything is possible in life, if you are steadfast and have patience.........<br />
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La SenoraLa Señora, The Storytellerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17517090137002072319noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3819336654783016439.post-54281415291858197502013-02-08T10:50:00.001-06:002013-02-08T10:50:55.125-06:00The Golden Jewel<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQXwxKlTJPAW3N7I_Aj-uKwLKtfNGeK5B6y8gzjHd4K4BThK2V1iSnC4ivJ8TO76f5kryMH0jfPIybkHMKFsh4TKWCkPdYVGggOugGwsvR-yuN6H_t7QtCuBiRuNm62gNK3UjIovasi8U/s1600/Mexico+City+Trip+2012+663.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQXwxKlTJPAW3N7I_Aj-uKwLKtfNGeK5B6y8gzjHd4K4BThK2V1iSnC4ivJ8TO76f5kryMH0jfPIybkHMKFsh4TKWCkPdYVGggOugGwsvR-yuN6H_t7QtCuBiRuNm62gNK3UjIovasi8U/s320/Mexico+City+Trip+2012+663.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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The Fifth House of Mail, Postal Palace, Mexico City </div>
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The "Golden Jewel" of Mexico City is also known as The Old Post Office, The Postal Palace, and my favorite, The Fifth House of Mail, since it was the fifth building to house a post office in the city! The Old Post Office has been in service since 1907. The building is an eclectic mix of several different architectural styles, designed by Italian Architect, Adamo Boari. On May 4, 1987, it was declared an Artist Monument. On November 4, 2012, La Senora declared it an Architectural Masterpiece!<br />
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Double Staircase</div>
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Below, Postal Service Windows</div>
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Side View of Staircase</div>
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Atrium Ceiling</div>
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Elevator</div>
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Today our lives revolve around technology and we are spoiled by the speed in which we receive information. Why use "snail mail" when you can email? As post offices struggle to maintain their position in mail delivery, a walk through this post office is a tribute to the "handwritten word" and it's place in history. I still find it fascinating that you can drop a letter into a mail box in one state or country and have it hand delivered in another. When is the last time you received a handwritten note or letter in your mailbox? Do you know the name of your postal carrier? No, "Internet Explorer" does not count! Sooner, rather than later, we will be saying, "remember when" and a younger generation will be asking, "what is a post office"...........<br />
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La SenoraLa Señora, The Storytellerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17517090137002072319noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3819336654783016439.post-46196773244471700602013-01-30T14:36:00.000-06:002013-01-30T14:36:19.995-06:00Man vs. Nature<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Cosmovitral Botanical Garden</div>
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A visit to the Cosmovitral Botanical Garden of Toluca, Mexico is truly a man vs. nature experience. A botanical garden housed within the beauty of a building wrapped in a mural of stained glass windows called "Cosmovitral". The running theme of the mural is about man and his relationship to the universe. Cosmovitral, is the coming together of two words, cosmo for the universe and vitral which is Spanish for glass. The building that now houses the Botanical Garden was originally constructed in 1910 as the 16th of September Market, in honor of Mexico's Day of Independence. In 1975 the market closed it's doors and the building sat vacant until 1978, when Leopoldo Flores convinced city government to convert the building into a space for art. It was Flores, who envisioned the stained glass additions and use of the floor space as a botanical garden. In 1980, with the mural of stained glass windows completed, "Cosmovitral" opened to the public. As quickly as the doors opened, they closed due to a change in government. Ten years later, the stained glass ceiling was constructed and the doors were re-opened. The bright colors of the stained glass, mixed with the cooling colors of the plants, is a visual sensation! Your eyes don't know where to look first and it is impossible to take it all in at once.<br />
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Hombre Sol (Sun Man)</div>
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As in so much of Mexico's architecture, historical and cultural significance is structurally incorporated into a building. Cosmovitral is no exception. Each year, on the day of the Spring Equinox, nature's sun aligns with "Hombre Sol". When the rays of the late afternoon sun pass through the stained glass work, the image of the sun appears as if it is on fire! Until his death, in 2004, Leopoldo Flores, hosted this annual event with a musical concert timed to the passing of the sun..............<br />
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La SenoraLa Señora, The Storytellerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17517090137002072319noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3819336654783016439.post-44066631426915289992013-01-23T13:19:00.000-06:002013-01-23T13:19:15.626-06:00The Magic Of Patzcuaro (Part Two)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Patzcuaro is a beautiful and magical town, noted for it's traditional adobe and wood architecture, red tiled rooftops and cobblestone streets. It is also home and host to a vibrant artist community, where folk art is still made by hand, using techniques that date back to Pre-Hispanic times. Patzcuaro's "stand out" art form and labor of love is Engraved Lacquer Painting. Lacquer painting is a detailed and brightly colored art form . While visiting an artist workshop, we learned about the process and techniques used to create such art. They start with a hand carved wooden object. The chosen object first receives a 2 part black lacquer application. Once dried, the artist carefully etches a design into the black lacquer, using a thorn from a local tree, that is inserted into the end of a feather for better mobility. This feather tool also serves as a duster for the debris of loosened lacquer. Once the design is completed, a variety of naturally made colored pastes are applied into the etched crevices, finger rubbed into place, dried and repeated over and over until completed. Some pieces are enhanced with a gold leafing to give a dimensional result. Depending on the size and detail, a single piece can take several months to complete. Each piece is unique, for no two pieces are ever alike.<br />
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Engraved Lacquer Painted Wood Plate</div>
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El Senor (Left!) Takes A Break With A Local Vendor</div>
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Life Art Among Textiles For Sale</div>
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During our stay in Patzcuaro, we took a day trip to Santa Clara Del Cobre also known as The Copper City. Santa Clara is a "must see" city, that will have you saying, "I must return with a trailer"! The coppersmiths are artistic metalworkers with creations that raise the bar far above the commonly known copper pots and pans. The designs, colors and hammered textures left me in awe. If you can imagine it, they can make it. Some of my favorite pieces were kitchen and bathroom sinks, dinning tables and chairs, kitchen cabinet doors, sideboards, entertainment units, and wall tiles. Unfortunately I am unable to share photos of these pieces, no photography is allowed in the retail stores.<br />
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Coppersmith Workshop</div>
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(Left, Jewelry Display Board)</div>
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Just between us, La Senora may need more than a trailer on a return trip..........<br />
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La Senora</div>
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La Señora, The Storytellerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17517090137002072319noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3819336654783016439.post-71749849031538208142013-01-14T13:31:00.001-06:002013-01-14T13:31:34.093-06:00The Magic Of Patzcuaro (Part One)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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A favorite Mexican tradition of mine is the celebration of "Dia de Muertos" (Day of the Dead or All Saints Day), also referred to as "Noche de Muertos" (Night of the Dead). It is a respectful and beautiful celebration of a loved one's life, not death. The town of Patzcuaro is popularly known throughout Mexico for how it embraces this celebration. Families come together and assemble fresh flower alters at cemetery grave sites and /or within their homes. A favorite meal of the passed loved one is prepared and incorporated into the alter, as well as photos and prized possessions. Candles light the way for the arrival of the deceased spirit as families prepare to spend the night at their respected alters, sharing food, drink, stories and memories from one generation to the next.<br />
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Out of curiosity, we asked a family what happens to the food that is placed on the alter and whether or not it is eaten? They said that they do eat the food the next day, but it has no flavor, because the spirit has taken the flavor with them!<br />
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Flowers Arrive By The Truck Load</div>
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Setting Up The Flower Stalls</div>
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Off To Make An Alter</div>
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Tzintzuntzan Cemetery Entrance Covered In Marigolds</div>
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Generations Of Helping Hands</div>
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Finishing Touches </div>
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Cemetery Alter</div>
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Patzcuaro not only lights the way for Day of the Dead, but is also part of an Artisan community shared with neighboring towns. I look forward to sharing that story (Part Two) with you in my next blog.<br />
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La SenoraLa Señora, The Storytellerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17517090137002072319noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3819336654783016439.post-17614958610086346872013-01-13T14:11:00.002-06:002013-01-13T14:11:35.947-06:00A Birthday And A New Year<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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As we bid farewell to 2012, we also celebrated El Senor's 65th Birthday! My oh my, where have the years gone........<br />
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El Senor & La Senora</div>
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We hope you all enjoyed the holiday season surrounded by the pillars of life......Family and Friends.<br />
Welcome 2013!<br />
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La Senora<br />
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<br />La Señora, The Storytellerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17517090137002072319noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3819336654783016439.post-7797496415458642552012-12-24T06:00:00.000-06:002012-12-24T06:00:04.178-06:00Reaching For The Sun<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Pyramid of the Sun, Pyramids Of Teotihuacan, Mexico</div>
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(Photo courtesy of About.com.Mexico Travel, Teotihuacan Tour, By Suzanne Barbezat, About.com Guide) </div>
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The Pyramids of Teotihuacan, "Where Men Become Gods", is one of Mexico's oldest and most impressive archaeological sites. Teotihuacan, at it's peak of development, is believed to have been the sixth largest city of Mesoamerica. The ruins are massive stone structures, that have remained rich in detail. The two main pyramids at this site are known as Pyramid of the Sun and Pyramid of the Moon. Pyramid of the Sun, stands majestically at approximately 246 feet, making it the third tallest pyramid in the world! The grounds are impeccably maintained and the pyramids are open to those who wish to climb. Oh how I want to reach for the sun......<br />
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I have a fear of heights. Actually, I like to say I have a 50% fear of heights. Odd, right? But you see, I can climb upwards with very little fear, it is coming down, that can paralyze my mobility or have me scratching my way on all fours. Maybe what I have is a fear of falling? Whatever it may be, it is real and has held be back from witnessing some pretty amazing views. I have gotten better over the last few years. I have come to realize that opportunity has its' limits. I will not always be in good physical shape or be able to trust the capability of my legs, balance, or eyesight. Now is the time. So, as I stand among the Pyramids of Teotihuacan I find myself brave in words, but weak in determination. I really want to climb the Pyramid of the Sun. El Senor offers me words of encouragement. "Set the pace, I will be right behind you."<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4cMtkxkyHUYLtUwbgD3AhahWZYiCmBRSFqa6d62Pco01joxKCM4pMEbFrMmIjFZ9Uu2lIjtZ8zbnZXRpN80CLToOpGyApN4BxAosTHt35dWh9NuDEMjmKKLqAnlwYowJD7wElh8CPzq4/s1600/Mexico+City+701.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4cMtkxkyHUYLtUwbgD3AhahWZYiCmBRSFqa6d62Pco01joxKCM4pMEbFrMmIjFZ9Uu2lIjtZ8zbnZXRpN80CLToOpGyApN4BxAosTHt35dWh9NuDEMjmKKLqAnlwYowJD7wElh8CPzq4/s320/Mexico+City+701.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Here We Go!</div>
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The View From The Top</div>
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(Behind, Pyramid Of The Moon)</div>
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There is power within your being, when you break through a fear factor. In that moment, you are the"King or Queen of the World". You also know, should opportunity arise again, you won't be on the sideline nervously wringing your hands, you will be first in line!<br />
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La Senora<br />
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<br />La Señora, The Storytellerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17517090137002072319noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3819336654783016439.post-16349943118027177662012-12-21T15:06:00.000-06:002012-12-21T15:06:18.076-06:00Happy Holidays<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ur6SQHoI_J4/UM5qv7VuopI/AAAAAAAAHAA/Y_-N8w8f-DE/s1600/Christmas+2012+001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="220" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ur6SQHoI_J4/UM5qv7VuopI/AAAAAAAAHAA/Y_-N8w8f-DE/s320/Christmas+2012+001.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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El Senor & La Senora</div>
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On this day, December 21, 2012, the Mayan Calendar came to end and thus begins a "New Era".<br />
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Living in the Yucatan, placed us at the epicenter for the End of the Mayan Calendar. There has been a lot of anticipation, speculation and anxiety placed upon this day. The big question on everyone's mind, was whether or not we would be here today........<br />
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My day began yesterday at 11:55 p.m. I wanted to be awake for the arrival of the new day! At 12:00 a.m., I watched the moon from my kitchen window disappear into the clouds. For that moment all was at peace. I could rest easy.<br />
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Happy Holidays! May the New Era / New Year bring peace to our troubled world.<br />
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La Senora<br />
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<br />La Señora, The Storytellerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17517090137002072319noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3819336654783016439.post-25406726075436040832012-12-10T21:45:00.000-06:002012-12-10T21:45:23.088-06:00December 12th MiracleThis story is in honor of my Nana (Grandmother), who passed away 12 years ago and for my sister, Rosemary, who brightened Nana's hospital room with a winter rose from her own garden.<br />
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The most popular religious icon in Mexico is Our Lady of Guadalupe (The Virgin Mary). While visiting Mexico City, we toured The Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe. I would like to share with you the story on how the Basilica came to be built.<br />
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The Antique Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe</div>
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On The Hill of Tepeyac </div>
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On the morning of December 9, 1531 the Indian peasant Juan Diego walked from his village to Mexico City. On the slope of The Hill of Tepeyac, Juan Diego saw a vision of a woman surrounded by light; which he recognized to be The Virgin Mary. The Lady instructed Juan Diego to tell the Archbishop to have a church built on this site. Juan Diego went to the Archbishop, Fray Juan de Zumarraga, and told him of his vision and the request of The Lady for a church to be built on The Hill of Tepeyac. The Archbishop would not build a church on just the word of Juan Diego. He told Juan Diego that before he would build a church, he would need a miraculous sign to prove this lady's identity. Juan Diego returned to The Hill of Tepeyac to deliver the message of the Archbishop. The Lady asked Juan Diego to come back the next day to gather flowers for his proof. Juan Diego left confused, it was winter, the land was barren, what flowers are in bloom? Returning to The Hill of Tepeyac, on December 12, 1531, Juan Diego found it filled with roses. Using Juan Diego's cloak, The Lady arranged the roses to be carried back and presented to the Archbishop. When Juan Diego opened his cloak before the Archbishop, the roses fell to the floor, and in their place was the image of Our Lady of Guadalupe, miraculously imprinted on the fabric of the cloak. This year, Juan Diego's cloak is 481 years old. Scientists do not know what was used to make the imprint of Our Lady of Guadalupe.<br />
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Enshrined Cloak of Juan Diego</div>
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Housed Within The New Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe</div>
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The New Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe</div>
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Upon hearing this story, I was overwhelmed with emotion and filled with memories of my dear Nana. Nana passed away on November 30, 2000. A few weeks prior, my sister noticed a fully bloomed rose had pushed it's way up through her snow covered garden. A surprise bloom made even more special by it's peach coloring. Peach colored roses were Nana's favorite flower! No proof was necessary for what we already knew and believed, Nana was an angel on earth.........<br />
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My thanks to our tour guide Sergio Solis and Wikipedia for the story of The Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe.<br />
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La SenoraLa Señora, The Storytellerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17517090137002072319noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3819336654783016439.post-2090676097879264632012-12-04T08:24:00.000-06:002012-12-04T08:24:16.028-06:00The Blue House<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Traveling to Mexico City, and visiting the home and art studios of the famous Mexican Artists Frida Kahlo and her husband Diego Rivera, allowed me to check off an entry on my Bucket List!<br />
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Since I saw the movie "Frida", starring Selma Hayek, I have been fascinated with Frida and Diego. Yes, I am on a first name basis with them. I even have a framed photograph of the couple mixed in among our family photos! For a long time, I have wanted to see The Blue House (Frida's house) and to walk the catwalk that connects their respective art studios. I was not disappointed. The house is as colorful as the couple that lived in it. On the walls of the house are Frida quotes. Reading the quotes as I moved through the rooms left me feeling like I had had a conversation with a friend. I really enjoyed how this personalized my visit.<br />
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"Never in life I will forget your presence. You found me torn apart and you took me back full and complete."</div>
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One of my favorite Frida quotes is preserved in writing only, "I drank to drown the pain, then the pain learned how to swim". Everything Frida did, she did with great passion.<br />
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As a child, Frida was hit by a bus. From that day forward, her life was one of pain. Frida underwent numerous surgeries in hope of fixing her broken body and relieving pain. It was her father, who inspired Frida to paint during her long periods of bed rest. As Frida matured, she feared that if she spoke of her pain, which was constant, she would not have any friends. So instead she vividly expressed her pain in her artwork.........<br />
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The Kitchen</div>
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Diego's Room</div>
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Frida's Room, A Reminder Of Loss</div>
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Shared Side By Side In-House Art Studio</div>
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Diego's Side</div>
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The Blue House Gardens</div>
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Frida and Diego's separate art studios connected by a catwalk. The studio on the left is Diego's, with Frida's on the right.</div>
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La SenoraLa Señora, The Storytellerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17517090137002072319noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3819336654783016439.post-43238182099766642532012-11-29T18:14:00.000-06:002012-12-03T15:17:32.400-06:00It Has Been A WhileIt has been a while since my last post........<br />
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Summer has come and gone. I returned to the United States for a family visit. We took a pass in September on witnessing the Fall Equinox, at the ruins of Dzibilchaltun, in anticipation of the Winter Solstice and The End Of The Mayan Calendar. We bid farewell to good friends who are now traveling throughout Latin America. El Senor and I traveled to Mexico City to celebrate "Dia de Muerto" (Day of the Dead or All Saints Day). Now, I find myself with much to share and the possibility of very little time, due to a calendar end or falling off a cliff, so here we go again!<br />
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Mexico City is amazing! Imagine New York City as a colonial city, overflowing with incredible old world architecture.Then add in monuments, fountains, mountains, volcanoes and pyramids. Boost the population up to 25 million and sprinkle in 5 million vehicles. That, is Mexico City! Our 10 day stay was not nearly enough time to take in all the wonder. The following are highlights from our guided walking tour.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKm3wts65TcIhYzV2A33Qguoow2QbuY3VQUJNFJ2WcSWBZ2JQdu2its0l8BbZEP3bvnyyIhCOG1R9tOoiuS2O69747VkLTTbWQy4avrslNSz8fuMLDDmlWdOgx5SFz2ar82ky15atZjg8/s1600/Mexico+City+Trip+2012+625.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKm3wts65TcIhYzV2A33Qguoow2QbuY3VQUJNFJ2WcSWBZ2JQdu2its0l8BbZEP3bvnyyIhCOG1R9tOoiuS2O69747VkLTTbWQy4avrslNSz8fuMLDDmlWdOgx5SFz2ar82ky15atZjg8/s320/Mexico+City+Trip+2012+625.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Monument To President Benito Juarez</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Palace Of Fine Arts</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvQaZVsklD0id6rCe8KNMR3xvRMGtC4ndMKSvfdNQCB5uygvicSeMxWAmLGzbDV210bc1obeCNoC0Q3w1SBZtNexmkK9W0iBbwq0WBiL25cMbNWZhFRjftqlrprc04hT5E1SEMtzUU410/s1600/Mexico+City+Trip+2012+074.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvQaZVsklD0id6rCe8KNMR3xvRMGtC4ndMKSvfdNQCB5uygvicSeMxWAmLGzbDV210bc1obeCNoC0Q3w1SBZtNexmkK9W0iBbwq0WBiL25cMbNWZhFRjftqlrprc04hT5E1SEMtzUU410/s320/Mexico+City+Trip+2012+074.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cathedral Of Mexico City, Located Within Constitution Square, Popularly Known As The Zolcalo, "The Religious, Political And Administrative Nerve Center Of Mexico City"</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The National Palace In Constitution Square</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Art School (Right) Of Famed Pupil Frida Kahlo</td></tr>
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La SenoraLa Señora, The Storytellerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17517090137002072319noreply@blogger.com1