More wanderings….

We've been hiking the callejones the last couple of days.  There is an extensive network of these alleyways spreading in all directions away from the core of the city.   We tend to work our way up high all the way to the Panorámica, walk along it for a while, and then drop back down into a different part of the city.  

I've also spent more time in churches.  Yesterday, the Templo de la Compañia de Jesús.  It's an exceedingly old church right next to the University of Guanajuato.

Scroll down for descriptions of photos and click on each to enlarge.

Wandering up the callejones...

Walking high up in a callejón I turned and saw this little woman behind me working her own way up.   Asked her if I could help with her package.  She single-purposefully kept working her way along.

I shot 4 pictures of her.  What is missing is the scene where she arrived at the gate of her little home.   Picture this..  a 6 inch narrow high step up to an old weathered plywood gate.   Behind that probably a 6 square feet area leading to 2-3 more steps and her front door.  This little woman put down her package, worked her way up onto the narrow single step, grabbed hold with both hands on top of the plywood at about eye level, and slowly reached over to unlock the gate.   I could not help myself and pressed my hands gently to her back as she balanced to unlock the gate.   Once through the gate, she slowly worked her way up the steps to her front door, unlocked it, and entered her little home.   A conversation with a young neighbor revealed that this woman is 97 years old.  Imagine this life.

Unlocking her front door after entering through her little gate.

Wandered and (respectfully) photographed inside the Templo de la Compañia de Jesús.   Slowly walked along the walls and found some nice moments.   Also ended up behind the alter… always a secret place it seems.   This Templo… from what I understand was finished in 1747 next to the Jesuit seminary (now the University).   Just amazing..  I love spending time in these places and thinking about all who have walked there before me.

An evening walk in San Miguel

Lots of travel photos here in San Miguel de Allende but also had fun one evening taking photos while walking around the block where we've stayed in Colonia Guadalupe.  Cool doorways, cobblestone streets, little nooks and crannies, all shot with Amanda who's one of our great housemates (plus of course Marcia and Jesse! … And newcomers Randall and Christine…and Mary who's not living there!) that we've met here.   Here's a few color and a few b&w.

Walking Guanajuato

Had a great day yesterday walking Guanajuato.   A walk to the north along the Panorámica and then down once again through one of the many callejones back into the heart of the city.   Then evening in the Jardín.

La Valenciana Mine

Yesterday was an interesting day with a trip to Valenciana Mine and further on to a little town called Santa Rosa.   Below are two photographs from the Mine.   Spain's production of Silver, Gold and other minerals began at this location and through this specific shaft in 1558 on the backs of the indigenous people.   Our walk through the mine followed the path of the poor workers who carried 70kg loads up the stairs under extremely deplorable conditions.   It was difficult to walk these steps.

Callejónes (alleyways) of Guadalajara

It's really fun wandering the alleyways and narrow streets of Guanajuato.   Here are a few photos from mostly early morning walks in this great city of central Mexico.

Friday in Guanajuato

On Friday Gail and I walked across the city to the far western edge!!  Here are a few photos from our walk.

Guanajuato!!!!

Totally blown away by Guanajuato.   Just a couple of initial pictures of this unbelievably enchanting place.   We had no idea.  It will be fun spending 36 days here digging deep into the beauty of this city!

This is the view from our terrace!!!  Got up early this morning and watched the sun march halfway across the city before I succumbed to the cold.  It got down to 39 degrees here last night and was windy.   Is this Mexico?

Looking down on the Basilica and the University of Guanajuato.  This is the core historic part of the city.   Most of the streets here follow old silver mining tunnels that are under the surface.  Really a unique approach that provides an incredibly walkable city.