Adios mi amiga

Today marks a turning point in my journey. Half way through the day, Sue and I went in opposite directions, she to Mexico City and eventually home to the snow, and I to Ajijic, via Guadalajara, where I will be spending the next week.

El Pipila

Before we said goodbye, we had a chance to explore more of the delightful city of Guanajuato. We started the day at the monument of El Pipila, which is around the corner from our B&B. As we looked down on the city, Rick Zuniga, our host, explained to his guests what we should see and where we should wander. On our third day here, it was useful to be re-orientated. Today we never got lost!

First, we did some banking, and then we said our farewells to our three Canadian cohorts at their hotel, before setting out to visit several sights that we had so far overlooked. We poked our noses into three different churches, the most impressive of which was the Basilica where there was a wedding going on, we think. It was hard to tell because it was very crowded. We also made brief visits to the University, and the Mercado Hidalgo.

The bell tower of the Jesuit Church

The University

Our main focus this morning, was the Museo de la Alhondiga de Granaditas. It was the site of the Mexican uprising against the Spanish in 1811, and as a result, it holds a very special place among the locals. Once a granary, then a prison, it is now a sort of shrine to Mexican heroes. Passionate murals, like those in Guadalajara and Mexico City, are painted on the walls along the staircases, and one part of the main floor is full of busts of such revered names as Allende, Hidalgo and Aldama. On this trip. we have learned a great deal about the troubled history of this country. We plan to find out even more on our return home.

Inside the Museo

Mural

Working our way back to the centre of the city, we made sure to visit the kissing balcony (El Callejon del Beso) in a narrow laneway off the Plaza de los Angeles. Sue and I are guaranteed of 15 years of happiness now that we have been there. After a light lunch, our last stop in Guanajuato was the Teatro Juarez, a beautiful and well-preserved theatre, just off the main square.

The alley of the kisses

Teatro Juarez

Sue on the bus to Mexico City

And so, all packed and paid up, we took a taxi to the bus station where we boarded identical buses at identical times, but heading to different cities. Sue has texted me to let me know that she arrived safe and sound to her airport hotel. She flies back home tomorrow. I had an uneventful trip to Guadalahara, where Francisco, my taxi driver, picked me up in his 1997 Cadillac, and ferried me to my B&B here in Ajijic, Estralitta’s. As soon as I unloaded my suitcases, he drove me to Go le Club, where my sister, Catherine, her husband, John, and his sister, Susan, and husband, David, were waiting for me to join them for dinner.

Dinner at Go le Club

It is weird to be on my own now. Sue has been a terrific fellow traveler. I will continue to blog, but the trip will be very different now. And, Sue, you can see that there is a bed waiting for you here in Ajijic, should you decide to come back.

Estralita's

Mirror images