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There are no words to describe Guanajuato. We just loved it there and ended up staying longer than we had planned on. Thr RV park wasn't much to write home about, but at least it was a safe place to park.
Guanajuato has a whole system of underground streets - tunnels - they go all over under the historic district. Some were built in the old river bed, others were man made. All are to relieve the traffic. The city has over 154,000 people - that was the last census. The houses are mostly built up and down the hills. In fact some of the houses are entered via the roof. You pull off the road and park on the roof then go downstairs to the house. There are buildings there from the 1550s. At one time is was one of the riches cities in Mexico from the mines. Churches all over, magnificent buildings. It played a major part in the 1810 war of Independence. And is on Ruta 2010 - 2010 will be 200 years since the war of independence.
It is amazing to drive around, underground and above ground. Just a few of the zillions of pictures I took there.
Some of the colorful houses on one of the hills

One of the shorter tunnels

Driving inside one of the tunnels

Coming out of a tunnel - look at the houses above the roadway - notice the beams holding the bottoms of the houses up

Some of the tunnels allow parking on one side, just coming out of a tunnel

Took drive around city - this is one of the old churches and one of the old mine buildings

View of city from panoramic drive - white building is the University - church is the Basilica of Guanajuato - it has a statue made in 700s

Church from 1600s

Just one of the altars inside it

This young man played Bolivian flute music for us while we ate in outdoor cafe. He whistled, played flute and guitar.

Just another view of one of the streets]

We loved this city - if you ever get a chance go there. There is so much to do. We took a trolley ride around the city (it was all in Spanish - so Bill knows a lot about the town.)
People watching there is really an experience. Indian women with their babies held on their backs with their shawls. Young college men with their gelled hair and women with very high heels walking cobblestone streets. Old men shuffling along. Old and young with all kinds of musicial instruments. I could go on and on.
for more pictures right click and open in new window http://www.movingon1.com/GuanajuatoBeautiful
hope you enjoy.

oh my goodness, what alot of houses, elbow to elbow, amazing they can build
like that.

Oh, I'm at a loss for words with each new post you do about your travels. I think, ok, that's it - and you come up with more. And more. Just wonderful, thank you very much.

That post just blew my mind! Fabulous!

OMG!!! Carol those were some awesome pics!!!

Beautiful city, can only imagine the sights that you didn't capture by camera. But I could only handle a visit there. There's no way I could live like that. OMG The thought of being that tightly packed in with all those other people would send me screaming off into the desert.

Oh no give me some elbow room.

Thank you again. I have so enjoyed your trip thru Mexico. Don't think I'd want to try to drive an RV - or anything else - in some of those tunnels.

That's the most fascinating city so far! Wonderful pictures and narrative. I'll go check out your blog now. Thanks, again!

All I can say is WOW! Thanks so much for sharing your experiences.

Thanks Carol, now the rest of you know why Carol and I LOVE this city!!! I do believe the pink building behind the flute player was the hotel that we had lunch in! We loved it there soooo much!!! Talked to one fella and he said he is living there on only $1,000 a month. The houses have been added on and added on. You are not allowed to tear down buildings, hense why everything is so old. Walking through the city was fun and safe.

Did you get to the Mummy Museum? 119 bodies were found and put in special glass cabinets in some catacombs. They say they were conserved because of the combination of dry atmospheric conditions and the ground minerals. Also they had salt and coal on top of them. The smallest mummy in the world is there, it is a baby with it's mother close by.

Loved the HUGE Mercado there!! We went into one of the Silver mines. Yes Silver mining was very big there.
The Pipila statue at the top of the hill was being restored when we were there. Looking down from that statue the city is breathtaking!!!

The tunnels were built out of necessity to channel the sewage from drainage ( which caused 20 floods between 1700 and 1900) into the Guanajuato River.

The La Basilica de Nuestra Senora de Guanajuato lit up at night and changed colors, it dates back to the 18th century. I loved the El Teatro Juarez Theater built between 1873 and 1903.

Dan and I shared a kiss in the famous El Callejon del Beso= The alley of the Kiss

We'd go back there in a heartbeat!!

Thank you for sharing your pictures of your travels in Mexico. It has been many years since I was in Mexico but you brought back the memories. The smells are unique and I found the people to be very kind for the most part. And looking at the shops makes me wish I could make a quick trip down. Again thank you.

I also wish you safe travels back home. I hope you meet up with the Port A ladies - they seem to always find fun and isn't that what life is all about.

Ohlucy

A big MUCHAS GRACIAS for taking us along on your trip. I've enjoyed every moment and picture posted. carold

those photos are amazing ... as usual from you, Carol.

As I sit here in my own 9 acres surrounded by many other acres of pine trees and farm fields I look at the pics of the houses jam-packed in together and just shake my head. double-amazing!