1.14.2020

Patzcuaro

Patzcuaro is a delightful Pueblo Magicos that was founded in the 1320s and to this day retains its colonial character. Patzcuaro is also known for its Day of the Dead celebrations.

Patzcuaro is a bustling vibrant town.

Sunday at the plaza. Everyone is out enjoying the wonderful weather.

Just having fun

Some kind of art installation.

You pay your money and then you get to peddle around the plaza a few times.

We came to the central plaza to watch the traditional Dance of the Old Men.
 Notice the gringos in the background

The dance begins very slowly...

and builds to a very energetic conclusion.

Art in the park

And yet another great day. The view from our campground.

We are at Rancho la Mesa RV Park. 19.502061, -101.594620    
DO NOT use your GPS to get to this park.
Enter on a one lane dirt road from hwy 120 that starts here 19.494650, -101.590011

1.12.2020

Paracho

Many towns in Mexico specialize in manufacturing a single product. One makes bricks, another furniture, another copper wares, and so on. I was told this was the result of an early Spanish bishop that went from town to town suggesting that each town produce a product supported by the local resources. Paracho is Mexico's guitar town.  Link to excellent article.

The movie Coco was a huge hit and the guitar featured in the movie was designed by Paracho native Vazquez Rubio. Its likeness has been replicated at the town entrance.

Several years ago Roger bought a used guitar in Mexico. Upon closer examination he discovered a makers mark. It was created in Jose Luis's shop and Roger wanted to meet him. Roger on right, Jose on left.

A second reason for visiting Paracho was so Aron could buy a mandolin for their son.

Aron listening to the mandolin he picked out.

 Jose Luis graciously invited us to visit his factory. Below are different stages of production.


The glue up




Most of the guitars are mass produced with the aid of power tools. But the factory also creates totally hand crafted guitars made by these craftsmen. 

The finished product 

Mona, Jose and Aron in front of the factory. It was a real treat to get this behind the scenes tour.

Walking around town you see guitar stores everywhere. It is said that 90% of the population is involved with guitar manufacturing .




We wandered into a small museum of award winning guitars.

Ruth checking out some of the guitars.

Incredibly detailed sound hole

This fellow was there handcrafting a guitar. He said it takes two months to create one guitar.

1.07.2020

Uruapan

Last February I visited in the lovely city of Uruapan for the first time. I visited the national park, Barranca del Cupatitzio. This is where the Cupatitzio River erupts from the lava beds and beings it journey to the ocean.  Click here for post.

Today we returned so our new travelers could experience the wonders of this gorgeous park.





Leaving the park, we walked down river along a beautiful new river walk. 


Along the way there were several places where waterfalls were cascading into the river. 

I found a very large spider.

We were waking along the river to the Old San Pedro textile factory, now known as Salon Los Telares. This textile mill began in 1879 specializing in hand spun, hand dyed and hand woven cloth. The mill was in operation for 100 years.


A section of the factory has been remodeled as an event center with shinny new terrazzo floors.

Old gears were repurposed as door pulls

Another large factory floor now presents the whimsical art of  Emilio Rangel. 

Emilio uses epoxy clay to create these wonderful creatures.


Some of his concept sketches.

Below the art gallery was floor full of the old textile machines. It looked like someone had just turned out  the lights in 1997 and walked out.


The machinery is early twentieth century. 

There is plan to restore some of the machines to working order and demonstrate how textiles were manufactured here.

Exploring further, we discovered textile artists at work.

Freshly dyed yarn


Ruth checking out the beautiful table linens for sale.


Old duty stuff

1.02.2020

Mazamitla

Mazamitla is a gem of a town nestled in the pine forests of central Mexico. It has a European flair.



Interesting statue 


On the way up to Mazamitla we stopped again at our favorite taco stand.
They have delicious shrimp and fish tacos, but Kevin said the shrimp empanadas are the best. 19.935398  -103.017612

Mazamitla is a vacation destination with many beautiful cabins scattered through the mountains.
We passed many on our hike out to the waterfall.

I made it to Cascada de Salto

This is the largest, hairiest rabbit I have ever seen. Cute young rabbits were for sale.

The town was busy with folks on holiday, many from Guadalajara.