Liza and Tallulah Meet Attilla and Company!

Liza and Tallulah on the Road
Attilla - Leader of the Basura Bunch

THIS sweet kitty needs a NAME!

This kitty has some serious eyeliner !

"Anything in that grocery bag for US?

Liza: "WHAT a welcoming committee! They look REALLY hungry! What do you think, Tallulah? Are we on the menu?"

Tallulah: "Well dahling, I come equipped with a casita on my back, so I have no concerns about being on El Plato del Dia! And actually Sweetums, I think you're not terribly at risk either.....not enough meat on your bones! Besides, Larry and Bonnie have been sharing some after dinner morsels with these ruffians since we've returned from the road trip."

Liza: "WHEW! What a relief! Oh! I have an idea! Maybe the reading audience would like to help name the "Basura Bunch". The first in the "leo lineup" already has been christened "Attilla". That dude has some SERIOUS attitude!".

Tallulah: "What about it, folks? Any good handles for the kitty krowd?"

Returning to Mazatlan

The road trip today from San Miguel de Allende to Villa Corona was taxing on both driver and navigator, to say the least! Friends and fellow Mexico travelers, Kathy and Lonnie, will attest to our shared ghastly experiences from past years, navigating through the city of La Piedad. There seems to be eternal road construction in the city, and a maze of twists and turns and multiple route options - -NONE good!
Driver and navigator developed badly frayed nerves, which resulted in some spirited verbal exchanges as we negotiated through the dusty, torn up streets, forced to make split second decisions at numerous junctions, with traffic weaving impatiently in and out around us.
We are settled in at the Chimulco RV Park in Villa Corona, and amends have been made over a couple of cold cerbezas. We're looking forward to a nice morning spa soak in the freshly filled pool, before we start our last leg of this year's journey back to Mazatlan.

Dolores Hidalgo - The Cradle of Mexican Independence

This year, the luxury of time (and hotel accommodations in Guanajuato, I might add) allowed us to explore two of our favorite cities in depth and with a touch of luxury not found in camper traveling. (Picture 5-Statue of troubadour next to Teatro Juarez)

In years past, we have stayed in an RV park out of town . . . which required a hot, dusty bus ride into centro, with a return to camp before the city of Guanajuato came alive in the evening.

Hotel Luna, situated at the hub of the city - El Jardin de la Union, gave us an entirely different perspective on this World Heritage city. (Picture 2 - Chandalier in interior courtyard of Hotel Luna)

The energy of the community is contagious! A gentleman named Manuel took us on a walking tour around Centro and shared tales of leftist artist Diego Rivera, who was raised in Guanajuato, and author Miguel Cervantes - who wrote the book about the hilarious antics of Don Quixote - the cross-eyed, one-armed conquistador - and his side-kick Sancho Panza. (Picture 4-Statue of Don Quixote - wearing a shaving bowl as a "hat". The "bite" is where the bowl fit around the neck of a man being shaved.)

Guide Manuel, who went back to school at the university at age 60 to learn English and to study the history of his country, told us of Mexico's War for Independence from Spain and France, headed initially by Father Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla, the radical parish priest from Dolores, who championed the well-being of the peasants, though he, himself was a "crillo" - born of pure blooded Spanish parents.

Father Hidalgo worked for a peaceful take-over of the government. However, when his plans were uncovered by the Royalists, Father Hidalgo sounded the bells of the church and delivered a stirring sermon - the Grito de (Cry of) Dolores - calling for a revolt against the oppressors. A rag-tag group of farmers was enlisted, which took up shovels, axes, clubs and rocks to go up against the well-armed Royalist forces.

With the brave assistance of Juan Jose de los Reyes Martinez-"Pipila" (Picture 3-Monument to Pipila, overlooking the city), the Insurgentes stormed and briefly gained control of the Alhondiga in Guanajuato, a granary which was converted to a prison to house the indigenous people who refused to work in the mines. As the indigenous prisoners were released, hapless Royalists were rounded up and imprisoned in their place.

Sadly, Father Hidalgo was soon captured, along with his compadres Juan Aldama, Ignacio Allende, and Mariano Jiminez. The leaders were "tried" and executed. Their heads were displayed for nearly ten years, in cages hung at the four corners of the Alhondiga, as a warning to potential rebels of their fate, should they go against the government in power. (Picture 1- corner of the Alhondiga where Allende's head was displayed)

The lives of these brave heroes were not given in vain, however. Independence was eventually won, thanks to their dedication.

The town of Dolores Hidalgo, located between Guanajuato and San Miguel de Allende, has rightly earned the title of "Cradle of Independence"!

Festividad de Nuestro Senor de la Conquista

The Festival of Our Lord of the Conquest is an annual event which happens the first Friday each March, in remembrance of Christ's death. Hundreds of concheros - dancers - dressed in colorful, feathered Pre-Hispanic costumes - travel from various areas in the state of Guanajuato - Silao, Lagos de Moreno and Ciudad Guanajuato - to pay homage to Nuestro Senor de la Conquista, with a marathon of dancing in the Jardin - San Miguel de Allende's central square.
In their dances, the concheros form crosses with their feet, which represent the four cardinal points. Dried seed pods adorn dancers' ankles and combine with the drumming to create a symphony of sound. That, along with the brightly colored costumes and synchronized dance, provide a feast for the senses.
This festival is a tribute to Nuestro Senor de la Conquista, who represents the acceptance of Christ by Mexico's indigenous people. Dancing is combined with religious ceremonies, starting Thursday night and continuing through Friday night.
The expatriots and tourists stand by, with gaping mouths and cameras clicking, while the dancers whirl, seeming to be unaware of the audience.

Guanajuato Revisited

Guanajuato is a World Heritage city, located NE of Guadalajara and built in a river ravine with rainbow colored houses punched into the hillsides and in many cases, accessible only by cobbletstone walkways. The city streets are narrow, and often snake through ink-black -tunnels, the left-over mine shafts from years past. History was made here. A monument of Pipila, a hero of the Revolucion, looks down on the city from his perch atop a hillside. Statues of the nine Muses of The Arts command a view from the top of Teatro Juarez, located across from the Jardin de la Union.

Guanajuato, the state capital of the state of Guanajuato, is a major cultural center of Mexico. The European architectural influence from Spain and France is strongly evident in the majestic cathedrals, museums and theaters located in the central historic district. Once a fabulously rich silver mining city and the site of epic battles in the fight for Mexican independence, Guanajuato is now a university city; home for a sophisticated population that enjoys the arts and music in the many jardins nightly and graciously shares their city with the awe-struck visitors from around the world.