Touring beautiful Guanajuato, Mexico

Guanajuato is one of our favorite cities in Mexico. Built into a very hilly area, the colorful city is a maze of narrow streets and alleyways. And with a large (30,000 students) university population there are a lot of young people about. It's also considered to be one of the safest cities in Mexico.

And, there is a lot to see and a lot of history. So as a group, we decided to hire a van and a guide.

The van picked us up at the RV park right at 9:00am. Our guide was Gabriel, and we knew he was good because we had him last year!

Total cost per person was 320 pesos ($16 USD, $21 CAD) and we didn't arrive back at the RV park until almost 4:00pm.

First stop was the Mummy Museum. Ruth and I had been before, and it's kind of one of those things that you only need to see once in your life. A few people stayed behind with us, but those who went in definitely thought it was interesting!

Next up was the La Valenciana Church. There are 28 churches in Guanajuato, and we've been to quite a few over the years but not this one. The La Valenciana church was completed in 1778 at the opening of the La Valenciana mine, the site of the largest vein of silver found in Mexico. It was built by Antonio de Ordóñez y Alcocer, the owner of the mine, to give thanks to his patron saint, Saint Cajetan, for the riches the mine provided. The church is noted for use of gold leaf, especially the main altarpieces which are completely covered in the metal.

Some dark clouds, but it never did rain.

The church was designed to have two bell towers, but when it has two, it would be considered a cathedral. And he had only asked and got permission, to build a chapel. So the other tower was never completed.

The altar is covered with gold leaf!

Then, we drove down into the tunnels. Guanajuato has 23 kms (14 miles) of underground roads through the city.

Underground bus stop!

From there, we did the upper road that takes you to a scenic overlook. We've been up there a few times before, but the spectacular view never ceases to impress!

Scenic Guanajuato.

We took the group out for lunch. We had promised a "welcome dinner" at the beginning of the trip, but when we did it in Montemorelos, it wasn't really what we had in mind and not everybody could attend. So we knew of a great restaurant in Guanajuato... the Casa Valadez. We were still missing Brian, but at least his wife Kathy was finally feeling up to it.

And then I forgot to get a pic of Ruth and Kathy!

Choice of bread rolls.

French onion soup to start.

And then we had fajitas and vegetables, and I forgot to get a photo of that too! Oh, and the magnificent margaritas that we each had as well. 

Flan for dessert.

Wonderful meal, and we all left stuffed. Price per person including tip was 331 pesos ($16.50 USD, $22 CAD) per person.

In the plaza outside the restaurant.

Next stop was the ex-Hacienda San Gabriel de Barrera. Again, we've been there twice before but they keep doing improvements and it's a little different each time. Beautiful gardens and it's a worthwhile stop.

The hacienda used to be a silver processing area for the mines.

Now is also a museum.

The hacienda fell into a state of disrepair after the Mexican Revolution. However it was bought by a businessman back in the early 1900's and he slowly restored it. His family lived here until the 1960's when it was sold to the state. It opened as a museum in 1979 and the property is used for state functions, weddings, and private parties.

Angel's Trumpet flower.

They built walls to last back then!

Ruth.

Fuchsias.

Roy and Susan.

It's a big property!

We all had a great day! Arrived back at the RV Park and had happy hour together. We've asked our tour guide Gabriel if he would be able to do the same thing for us on Monday to Dolores Hidalgo and San Miguel de Allende. He has to check with his boss, but hopefully it will come together.

Another vermillion flycatcher.

Sorry... too many photos today!

Today, Ruth and I are headed back into the city just to wander around, along with anybody else in the group who wishes to join us. Looking forward to some enchiladas mineras for lunch!

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