Guanajuato

On Wednesday Cynthia, Natalie and I went for a visit to the Mexican city of Guanajuato. Looking it up on the internet I found this meaning for its name: “Guanajuato means `place of frogs` in the local indigenous language. The local Tarascan Indians believed that the frog represented the god of wisdom.”

With that in mind, we boarded the Primera Plus bus and after an hour ride took another bus that landed us in the city center. In the center is a very old church and a theater and a Jardin where people can sit and enjoy the mariachis that play there.

After a quick coffee in the square we took a short bus ride up a hill through the city that seemed to move the same speed as walking. Inside the museum we saw a lot of mummies, and they were very dead. They came in all sizes and shapes, and it was a little unnerving to say the least. After each room there were signs for exits just in case one needed to get out. I had visited the mummies years ago, and back then I remember leaving there with a very profound respect for life. This time was no different.

We were told the mummies were people who couldn’t afford the space for burial so they were left in the ground until they were mummified and then dug up and put in storage. Eventually they were put on display, and the museum was started.

After the mummy visit we walked back towards the city center and took in the sights and sounds of Guanajuato. We found a nice local spot for lunch named “Lolitas” that served comida corrida for the price of 30 pesos.

The day was full with a visit to Casa Cultura, a place where I had donated some paintings 10 years ago. The new director didn’t know anything about them but said he would look for them and let me know when they turn up. We also visited the Diego Rivera Museum, birth home of the famous Mexican painter and muralist. We strolled through the beautiful streets of Guanajuato with sips of coffee, cold coconut milk, and yummy crepes. It was a great tourist day in a wonderful city. and the hour ride back to San Miguel was a great rest for our tired feet.