Driving our Motorhome in the State of Guanajuato, Mexico
Moving On 1
Spending another Winter in wonderful Mexico
Spending another Winter in wonderful Mexico
Follow along with our adventures in Jennie the RV and Willie the Jeep
Things we've done and places we've been on this trip - Mexico 2009
Visiting the beautiful city of Guanajuato
Sunset in Bugambilla RV
Guanajuato 2010
We left Guadalajara at 8:45 and got in Guanajuato at 1:15 - 176 miles in four and a half hours. US$62 for tolls. The road was very good all the way. Managed to get out of Guadalajara without getting lost. From Lopez Mateos we took the Periferico Sur to Lazaro Cardenas and then the signs towards Mexico City. Actually got all the way without incident.
The campground, Bugambilla RV, is the only one in the area that we can get into. It is about US$12 a day. Water and 15amp electricity are available at the sites. No sewer, but there is a dump. The electric is so bad our air conditioner won’t stay on. And it takes almost three minutes to heat a small cup of coffee in the microwave. Basically we’re sitting in a big field with one lone tree. But this time the grass is green, last year it was dead. There are about 7 other RVs here this time.
The weather during the day is nice and there is usually a wind by late afternoon. Evenings it still gets really cold here in the middle of March.
The first morning here it was COLD - in fact it almost looked like frost on the grass (probably just dew but I didn’t go out to check.) Looked at the outside temp and at 7:30 it was only 45!
We didn’t do much after getting here the first day we are slowly getting used to altitude - about 6200 feet.
The campground, Bugambilla RV, is the only one in the area that we can get into. It is about US$12 a day. Water and 15amp electricity are available at the sites. No sewer, but there is a dump. The electric is so bad our air conditioner won’t stay on. And it takes almost three minutes to heat a small cup of coffee in the microwave. Basically we’re sitting in a big field with one lone tree. But this time the grass is green, last year it was dead. There are about 7 other RVs here this time.
The weather during the day is nice and there is usually a wind by late afternoon. Evenings it still gets really cold here in the middle of March.
The first morning here it was COLD - in fact it almost looked like frost on the grass (probably just dew but I didn’t go out to check.) Looked at the outside temp and at 7:30 it was only 45!
We didn’t do much after getting here the first day we are slowly getting used to altitude - about 6200 feet.
Guanajuato (meaning “Place of frogs”) is nestled in the bottom of a scenic canyon with brilliantly colored homes built up the hills. In the main part of the city on the valley floor there are leafy plazas, flowerpot-bedecked alleyways, splended churches and colonial buildings. There is a lot of history centered here. It was originally a silver mining town providing a half of the silver sent back to Spain. It was also a big part of the Revolution in 1810. Father Hidalgo led a group of peasant farmers from Hidalgo to invade the city. The Spanish took shelter in the town granary. A young miner called El Pípila, with a slab of concrete on his back, made his way to the wooden door of the building and set it on fire. Hidalgo’s people then overran it giving them their firs major victory. Just above the main part of the city is a big statue of El Pípila. There is a funicular going up to it and from up there there is a magnificent view of the city.
For a few pictures from 2010 trip to Guanajuato Click Here
We love to sit in the outdoor cafes on the Plaza de la Paz watching the people go by. Next to the Plaza is the Basicilica of Our Lady of Guanajuato. It is painted gold and rust and glows in the sunlight. Inside it is magnificent as are all the churches there. Gold, stained glass, beautiful chandeliers and very old oil paintings. This year we happened upon a Baptismal ceremony. Many babies in their finery with their whole family in attendance - from little brothers to great grandparents.
Down the street a ways is another plaza in front of the Juarez Theater. It is very impressive with its tall columns, steps and statues of the Greek muses standing on the roof.
We watch the costumed young men who participate in the serenades that take place in the plazas and streets on weekend evenings. They wear medieval clothing and sign songs accompanied by guitar and mandolins. We stopped and had a snack in the outdoor dining room of one of the hotels and listened to the strolling Mariachi groups. Or the occasional lone guitar player.
Down the street a ways is another plaza in front of the Juarez Theater. It is very impressive with its tall columns, steps and statues of the Greek muses standing on the roof.
We watch the costumed young men who participate in the serenades that take place in the plazas and streets on weekend evenings. They wear medieval clothing and sign songs accompanied by guitar and mandolins. We stopped and had a snack in the outdoor dining room of one of the hotels and listened to the strolling Mariachi groups. Or the occasional lone guitar player.
This year we took a leisurely walk (very leisurely - at 6200 feet high) and discovered more churches and vendors and in a small park with lifesize bronze statues of Don Quixote and Sancho Panza. Around every corner is something to make you go WOW!