Sunday, February 18, 2018

Mexico = Color - and a whole lotta shakin' goin on! Earthquake!

Mexico is so beautiful - and colorful


We've had a chance to move around in the last few days and experience some of what you might describe as "Old Mexico".  This is the region that has deep history and many colonial buildings and has helped formulate the history of this country.

For example, we spent three days in Morelia (a town I was completely unaware of) up in the mountains in the center of Mexico.  There are many amazing structures, one of which is the Aqueduct.  

This still strong structure was built in the late 1700's (about the time America achieved independence) and stands proud and tall today.




 
The purpose was to conduct water from the nearby hills to the center of Morelia, a function it served for two hundred years.  





 
It now bisects the city with parks all around.  In fact, both the city of Morelia, and now Guanajuato, where we are tonight, are full of parks. 


The geography around here is warm and dry with lots of sunshine, and just enough water to grow almost anything.  The numerous parks are green and lush, and these guys love water fountains. 






 
The cathedral shown below in Morelia is one of the biggest in Latin America and provides a rich backdrop to some of the history that has taken place in that area.  






  



The Spaniards brought their Catholic religion, and along with it, they developed numerous Universities - the city of Morelia is still known as a center of higher learning.   And along with this learning came revolution to throw off the chains of Spanish domination and establish their own independence. 

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On our last night in Morelia, there was a big earthquake, we definitely felt it.  Excitement, but not the kind you're looking for.   It was somewhere over 7.2 on the scale.  There was devastation near the coast, about 140 miles away, near the epicenter.  



They view the world through color 










And we have now made our way to the city of Guanajuato, also in the mountains.   It's a vibrant city, full of life.  The colors here are evident in the picture above.  And music is everywhere.  It seems like every Mexican is a musician of some kind (we even saw bagpipes!) and they all love to sing.   

But this place is high up.  Our room here is over 7,200 feet, and you can feel the elevation.  







This is another history filled area.  Indeed the first battle of the Mexican revolutionary war was fought here.   It's built on hills, and you really get huffin' and puffin' walking around. 





 
One way to get to the top of the hills is to take a funicular, a cable car built into the hill to take you up or down.   The views from the top are spectacular. 
And of course, more churches, and more color. 








And as we walked downtown, there was some kind of race going on, with lots of people everywhere.   I run a lot, but this altitude takes a lot out of you, and I'm glad I wasn't participating in this high altitude run!









And we'll leave here with one last picture in Guanajuato, with another beautiful fountain nestled in the downtown district.  So pleasant. 














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