Bernal, The Magical Town, Road Trip #3

Welcome to Bernal.

Peña de Bernal

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.........

Halfway to Starting Point

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!

Rules of Climbing / Enjoyed the English Translation

Dusting on the Rocks

View from  Halfway Point of Climb

We Made It!

Final View

Coming Down

El Señor, Waiting on La Señora
"Don't worry, I will stop you if you fall"

Yeah....Still In One Piece!

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.

Fresh Gorditas Made to Order

Left: Potato and Chorrizo,
Right: Refried Beans with Cream Corn and Poblano Chile 

Going For It

Good Eating

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"........................

To all my followers, Happy Spring!
Hope you have enjoyed.
La Señora

Friends in Guanajuato City, Road Trip #2

You know you have been blessed when you look upon a friendship as family........

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.

Beautiful Guanajuato

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!

Here is a look at some of the city's prized landmarks.

Teatro Juarez / Theater Juarez, 1903

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.

La Señora Taking Direction From Diego Rivera

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.

Alhondigas de Granaditas / House of Grain

City view of El Pípila

El Pípila Monument on San Miguel Hill

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.

The University of Guanajuato

University of Guanajuato
Artwork by: Leonora Carrington

Cathedral Basilica Nuestra Señora de Guanajuato.

Basilica of Our Lady of Guanajuato 1696

 Plaza de La Paz / Plaza of Peace Monument

In honor of Miguel Cervantes, author of Don Quixote.

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.

Locks of Love

Not one to pass up good karma, El Señor and I couldn't resist..........

Next stop, Bernal!

I hope you have enjoyed,
La Señora

Defining Querétaro

Santiago de Querétaro is the capital and largest city of the state of Querétaro. The word Querétaro has multiple meanings:

In the Indigenous Languages of the Otomi and Purépecha, the meaning is "Ball Game" and "Place of Crags", referring to the rocky hills.

In Pre-Columbian terminology, the meaning is "Island of the Blue Salamanders", "Place of Reptiles" or "Place of Giant Rocks".

In the Spanish Language, the meaning is "Place of Great People".

In La Señora Language, the meaning is "City of Churches and Fountains".

Templo de La Santa Cruz 

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.

Capilla de La Merced Dome

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!

Templo de Santa Rosa de Viterbo

Templo de Santo Domingo

Templo de San Francisco

Sunset View of Church Steeples and Domes

Plaza de Armas

Hill of Bells, Children's Fountain

Calle Cinco de Mayo

Otomi Warrior Fountain

Neptune / Temple de Santa Clara

I hope you have enjoyed!
La Señora

San Miguel de Allende - Road Trip #1

Querétaro'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.........

View, Coming Into The Town of San Miguel de Allende

La Parroquia de San Miguel Arcángel

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!

Artsy Home 

Colorful Art Gallery

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!

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.

Never Too Young

Or Too Old To Dance

Next stop, Guanajuato..........

Hope you have enjoyed,
La Señora