Hostal Del Vasco Zacatecas

... going up the teleferico (cable car) to La Bufa, the big hill where the first church was built - the nuns were flogging their version of egg nog, called rompope, so had to have a sample, before rolling back down the hill. Tonight was the opening concert of the International Cultural Festival, the main reason I was here for so long - Ricardo Arjona tonight, other big name acts every day until the 18th. This week the main stage was in the Plaza de Armas, a really pretty ...

... even the jeans did not prevent scratches. I'm sure that every plant in the area has prickles or spines of some sort. I eventually got to the highest point after about two and a half hours. A beautiful view! On the other side of the hills was the big lake that we visited the previous day. It was huge! Apparently over 65km long and 15km wide with many arms. It looked like Queen Charlotte Sound. After sitting for a while and chilling out I wondered why I ...

... so popular and fun to observe all over Mexico. The attached link has some additional information on "Quinceanos" (meaning fifteen years) and the "Quinceanera Celebration": http://www.mexico-child-link.org/Lucero -15th-birthday.htm Our vocabulary of superlatives already got a good workout at the Jardin Enrique Estrada and the nearby aqueduct but there was more to come. Our search for "banos" caused us to stumble upon a five ...

... Avenida Hidalgo, the main street of the city situated at 7950 feet. We discovered right away that you don't need to go to the gym in this town. Just walk a lot and you'll get plenty of exercise going up and down hills. The huge beautiful Zacatecas Cathedral on Plaza Hidalgo was directly down the street from our hotel, just to the left of the trendy Mercado Zacatecano. The front of the cathedral has elaborate carvings in its red-stone exterior and ...

... a stopover in that cute village staying in a Family-Business-Hotel I continue to Durango, where I could solve a little electric problem in front of a small motorcycle workshop, whithout to ask one of the bored mechanics for help. I recognize in the area very much water with even flooded landscapes. A Mexican talks about a Hurrican, who brought (from Distance) all that rain. It goes on to Zacataca, where I get to know in the Hostel a mate on an Advanture who's got the same route.

... at which point you almost forget about the scenery in order to focus all your thoughts on mustering up enough strength to take the next step. We had decided to bypass the tour groups and do the hike ourselves which turned out to be a fantastic idea and saved us about Q265.00. Alot of what I have written above is in past tense about what we were planning to do etc. which is because of an unfortunate occurance that places us in Mexico city at the moment which ...

... to be deserted. The only thing we did see was a worker cutting down the poles that supported the illegal shops. Part of me was glad to see the market shut down, while part of me wished I could have gotten a good picture. Once again....my DUAL nature surfaced! After walking around the remains of the market we headed to Zona Rosa for a movie! That's right we were planning to watch an American movie while travelling! I know we are bad! And what's worse....it was the SIMPSONS. Hey ...

... arreglando las rutas y o construyendo más. Nos desviamos hasta Pozos, un pequeño poblado al este de la autopista 57. Antiguamente, Pozos era una ciudad minera de extracción de plata. Hoy es prácticamente un pequeño pueblo. Según nuestra guía turística, llegó a tener 80.000 habitantes y hoy solo cuenta con 2.000. El otro desvío que hicimos, nos lo fue recomendado. Fuimos hasta Peña de Bernal. Otro pequeño poblado al costado de un magnificente cerro, ubicado a unos 30 ...

... quiet reflection and of peace. At that moment I was content. I had now seen what I had come to see. As an interesting note, outside the basilica in the central plaza there is of course a cross, but to the side if you look hard because it is slightly hidden you will see a giant reproduction of the Aztec calendar. The virgin is not only a Christian saint, but she is also a goddess (specifically the moon goddess) to the indigenous people of Mexico. Think about that... To be continued...

... Crew. We were only there for two nights, one night before our flight to Cuba and one night after. It was pretty funny for a laugh though. It really is like how it looks on the OC! So anyway now I find myself in Guetumala, it is beautiful!!! Ive have made a separate page for Cuba, so feel free to have a read and a look at the pictures on that!!! OK well I love you and miss you all!!! Love always and forever Abbie