Turotel Morelia

The Day of the Dead is a traditional Mexican festival based on precolumbian religious rituals. Death was just another part of life for indigenous civilizations like the Aztecs, for whom human sacrifice was a common practise. The spilling of blood was essential in order maintain the balance of life and ensure that the sun would continue to rise each day. Thus it was only natural for them to celebrate death; and each year on the 2nd November many Mexicans still give offerings in honour ...

... it was still an enjoyable ride, for I made a few friends and the Mexican guys continued to party throughout the journey. Seemingly never tired, downbeat or too hungover to drink, the Mexicans blasted out Reggaeton and brought round rum for us to down straight from the bottle. We arrived home late that night, tired after a fun but exhausting three days on the road. Michoacan is meant to be the best place to celebrate the Day of the Dead so I should be returning there in early November.<br><br>

... my Conversation Club on Tuesday I was paired with a couple of young men, and I encouraged them to come to salsa. They did, and Thursday they brought friends, so for the first time we had as many hombres as mujeres, which made it much more fun for the mujeres!<br><br>Got to hear some choirs in a concert on Monday night, including the famous (around here at least) Niños Cantores de Morelia (singing children of Morelia). They were pretty good, but they sang one ...

... but unlike the Aztecs who sacrificed their own people as well as prisoners, they sacrificed only prisoners they had captured in battles against other empires. The pyramids are not complete because after the Spanish arrived they used much of the stone to build their churches and monasteries. They also ransacked the pyramids hoping they would find treasure inside, but there wasn´t anything inside - except more rocks! However, part on one has ...

... St. John the baptist?) going<br>on tonight. the churches were full earlier and i heard the organ at the<br>basilica playing some ****** service music and accompanying a baritone<br>on Schubert´s Ave Maria. The town is heaving tonight - not sure if<br>that´s normal or if it is Friday or if it is because of the festival.<br>It´s fun people watching. <br> <br>Took a tour this morning to a nearby mining town and around<br ...

... with fine looking white adobe homes and the local indigenous folk all wonder the streets wearing traditional dress. <br>I spent my first evening looking around the heavily overpriced arts, crafts and antique shops before getting held up in Plaza Vasco de Quiroga (the town's main plaza). There was plenty going on here with three different groups of street entertainers all performing to a different beat and all were enjoyable to watch. <br><br ...

... people it would only burden them." Something to be explored, I suppose, and the only way to truly find out is talk to the people themselves. For that, I need to know Spanish, so for the moment I am left to wonder. Enough introspection. Luis turned the van onto a cobblestone and brick road with a very steep incline. I am growing increasingly glad we didn't try driving this ourselves. We drove into El Rosario, where the people of the town own the mountain ...

... with the Mexican people, apart from the fact that all Mexican men (and indeed women) direct all conversation, tickets for buses, bills etc at Collins. Macho behaviour is prevalent ere. The only reason that I have any power whatsoever at the mo is that my Spanglish is still slightly better than Collins, and as there´s deck all English speakers here, we´re obliged to speak a little of the Latino lingo. I dread the day when they won´t need to speak to ...

... liked to spend a bit of time there but it was just to much. After dinner we went to hit up my ever dwindly supply of tequilla. Well primed I stumbled out to the street on a quest for a pool table. I actually found something much better. Three beauitiful girls. We went to a bar and continued the anhilation process. Funny **** inside. There was a couple of black dudes who told me they were famous rappers from Cleveland. Trying not to laugh I just ...

... villa-style suites has its own special character, distinct in design and superb artistic furnishings. Even the cozy fireplaces in each room as well as the enticingly comfortable beds all different. Authentic colonial style is enhanced with modern luxuries. One last amazing dinner and then it was time to leave early in the morning. How sad!