Traveling to Mexico Again in 2008
Spending a day in the Magical Pueblo of Alamos, Mexico
For pictures of Magical Alamos click here
Our day trip to Alamos. Alamos is called a “Pueblo Magico” or magical town. Several towns in Mexico have that designation; most of them are very old Colonial towns that have stayed small and pretty much like they were in the 1700s. At one time Alamos was the seat of government for all the north western states of Mexico. It was originally a very rich mining town with many beautiful mansions. As the mines ran out the residents left. In the late 1940s it was “rediscovered” by the North Americans. Now several Canadians and Americans live here. They have restored the mansions inside but the town has been kept pretty much the same as it was in the 17-1800s.
To get to Alamos we had to drive back through Navojoa so we decided to take the road out of Huatabampo that we should have come in on. It is a straight shot to Mexico15D. And if it was a good road we would take it when we leave El Mirador. NOT! Am I ever glad we made the wrong turn coming in. The road we came in on was a dream compared to this one. It is shorter but would take much longer to travel in Alfie. It is very narrow with no shoulders in most places. Places it has some asphalt surrounded by potholes. And what asphalt there is has been misshapen by the heat and weight of the vehicles traversing it. Lots of bumps and grooves. And we must have had to pass 25 slow moving tractors going from field to field. When we finally reached 15D we turned north towards Navojoa. Right away we came to a toll booth but didn’t have to pay as they were out of paper and could not give receipts. They told Bill he could pay if he wanted to - he politely said “No that’s okay.” And off we went.
The road to Alamos from Navojoa is mostly pretty good. In a few places there is damage from the hurricane that passed through this area last year. One of the dams broke and caused a lot of problems for the area. One of the bridges on the highway was washed completely out but the detour around it was okay.
We reached Alamos and drove down the narrow cobblestone streets to the main plaza. Dominating one side is the Purisima Concepcion Church built in 1786. It is beautiful. The many magnificent candelabras hanging from the high ceiling and the Communion Rail are made of silver - a reminder of the towns past grandeur. While walking in the church we noticed something I haven’t seen in many, many years. The posting of marriage bans. There was a poster with about five couples list on it. Still pretty “old world.”
To get to Alamos we had to drive back through Navojoa so we decided to take the road out of Huatabampo that we should have come in on. It is a straight shot to Mexico15D. And if it was a good road we would take it when we leave El Mirador. NOT! Am I ever glad we made the wrong turn coming in. The road we came in on was a dream compared to this one. It is shorter but would take much longer to travel in Alfie. It is very narrow with no shoulders in most places. Places it has some asphalt surrounded by potholes. And what asphalt there is has been misshapen by the heat and weight of the vehicles traversing it. Lots of bumps and grooves. And we must have had to pass 25 slow moving tractors going from field to field. When we finally reached 15D we turned north towards Navojoa. Right away we came to a toll booth but didn’t have to pay as they were out of paper and could not give receipts. They told Bill he could pay if he wanted to - he politely said “No that’s okay.” And off we went.
The road to Alamos from Navojoa is mostly pretty good. In a few places there is damage from the hurricane that passed through this area last year. One of the dams broke and caused a lot of problems for the area. One of the bridges on the highway was washed completely out but the detour around it was okay.
We reached Alamos and drove down the narrow cobblestone streets to the main plaza. Dominating one side is the Purisima Concepcion Church built in 1786. It is beautiful. The many magnificent candelabras hanging from the high ceiling and the Communion Rail are made of silver - a reminder of the towns past grandeur. While walking in the church we noticed something I haven’t seen in many, many years. The posting of marriage bans. There was a poster with about five couples list on it. Still pretty “old world.”
We ate lunch outside on the walkway under the arches at a hotel right across from the church and watched the families in the square. Some brought tables set them up and were selling hot sauces, olives and candies. While we were eating we saw two little boys, about eight or nine, come around the corner and walk towards us. One was carrying a small table on his head. They walked up to where we were sitting and set the table down. A cloth was covering what was on the table. The second boy took the cloth off - they were selling bread that their Mother had just made. Bill had to buy a roll. A little later a blue pick up truck pulled up to the curb. The bed of the truck was filled with oranges. Some were in mesh bags but most of them loose. The driver got out picked up one big bag of oranges and went into the restaurant with them. He didn’t have them when he came back out. The cook must have bought them. Before he got back in his truck to leave he went to the back and filled another orange mesh bag with oranges. All ready for his next sale. Also watched and listened to the people walking and driving around the plaza. In the cars the radios were either off or full blast - no in between. Saw a couple of kids, who couldn’t have been more than 12 riding motor scooters up and down the block. Also ATVs. So guess any thing goes.
After lunch as we walked around we noticed a big crowd of people with several police men controlling the lines. Bill asked one woman what was going on and she told him the government gives the poor families money once a month and that was the day for Alamos.
We stopped in one shop that sold pottery. The woman selling it made it in her work shop. Very pretty stuff and not too expensive. Didn’t buy any though. Did notice when we were inside how thick the walls of the building were - at least two and a half feet. And it was nice and cool inside.
When we got ready to leave we ended up driving through the part of town that was heavily damaged by the hurricane and water last year. Several streets were washed out and lots of trees were uprooted. There were wooden planks on saw horses across the worse part so people could walk without stepping in the debris and mud. After a few false starts we found the right way out. A very narrow street with cars parked on one side leaving just barely enough room for our line of traffic to pass by. Pedestrians were taking their lives in their hands to go to the stores there. Internet cafes, hardware, clothing for men and women, cell phone stores, auto accessories and bicycle repairs and tortillas made by hand by Elizabeth were a few stores that I remember seeing. Oh can’t forget - saw one sign that said Casino - No idea what it was. No rhyme or reason to where the stores were. There could be a meat market between the bicycle repairs and hardware store. Interesting.
Leaving that street we passed the other more functional plaza. It was full of people. Couples holding hands and walking around it. Families watching their children play. Around the curb all kinds of eateries were set up - tacos, bbq and ice creams - mostly run by men. And most of the seats around these were filled with men. Once out of town we headed back through Navojoa to Huatabampito. Really neat day.
After lunch as we walked around we noticed a big crowd of people with several police men controlling the lines. Bill asked one woman what was going on and she told him the government gives the poor families money once a month and that was the day for Alamos.
We stopped in one shop that sold pottery. The woman selling it made it in her work shop. Very pretty stuff and not too expensive. Didn’t buy any though. Did notice when we were inside how thick the walls of the building were - at least two and a half feet. And it was nice and cool inside.
When we got ready to leave we ended up driving through the part of town that was heavily damaged by the hurricane and water last year. Several streets were washed out and lots of trees were uprooted. There were wooden planks on saw horses across the worse part so people could walk without stepping in the debris and mud. After a few false starts we found the right way out. A very narrow street with cars parked on one side leaving just barely enough room for our line of traffic to pass by. Pedestrians were taking their lives in their hands to go to the stores there. Internet cafes, hardware, clothing for men and women, cell phone stores, auto accessories and bicycle repairs and tortillas made by hand by Elizabeth were a few stores that I remember seeing. Oh can’t forget - saw one sign that said Casino - No idea what it was. No rhyme or reason to where the stores were. There could be a meat market between the bicycle repairs and hardware store. Interesting.
Leaving that street we passed the other more functional plaza. It was full of people. Couples holding hands and walking around it. Families watching their children play. Around the curb all kinds of eateries were set up - tacos, bbq and ice creams - mostly run by men. And most of the seats around these were filled with men. Once out of town we headed back through Navojoa to Huatabampito. Really neat day.
Outside in the right light the building looks almost pink where the grim of years has been cleaned off. Scaffolding surrounds the main dome that is still black with age. Across from the church is the central plaza with a wonderful gazebo surrounded by gardens. The gazebo is trimmed with wrought iron work and its ceiling is a painted mural of musical instruments. Old buildings, many with arched walkways surround the plaza. It is a great place to just walk around, so many things to look at. The roads are cobblestone and VERY narrow. On a couple of them if someone else is coming towards you one of the vehicles has to stop and wait for the
other to pass. A couple of the corners were even hard to make in the Jeep. The exteriors of the buildings are almost flush with the sidewalks or street. Most of them have several doors and windows shuttered and faced with wrought iron. From the outside they are very plain looking, with only the bright flowers breaking up their façade. But when a door is open and you can look into the interior patio that the house is built around it’s a whole other story. The patios are gorgeous - paved with colorful tiles and full of plants, flowers and furniture. Just like they were in the 1700s. Several times a year the homes are open for tours.
other to pass. A couple of the corners were even hard to make in the Jeep. The exteriors of the buildings are almost flush with the sidewalks or street. Most of them have several doors and windows shuttered and faced with wrought iron. From the outside they are very plain looking, with only the bright flowers breaking up their façade. But when a door is open and you can look into the interior patio that the house is built around it’s a whole other story. The patios are gorgeous - paved with colorful tiles and full of plants, flowers and furniture. Just like they were in the 1700s. Several times a year the homes are open for tours.