Mexico 2002 October

View from plane just before landing, of the Puerto Vallarta farm lands. Picture is 2004 but looked the same in 2002, our first trip. We stayed at a Bed & Breakfast called Casa Mirador. Very traditional Mexican decor. This was our room. Notice the square holes above the bed and doors, these are for air flow and natural air conditioning.

View of Conchas Chinas Bay from our balcony. As the tide would rise and fall, most of the rocks would disappear, especially during the upcoming hurricane.

This was Kristin's room. Which during our second visit to Casa Mirador in 2004, because a massage parlor.Here Judy and Kristin are visiting one of many small shops, this one for jewelry and handmade items. The Lonely Mariachi, if you listened to his playing and singing, that would explain it. As you can see, Judy is real excited! He was still on the beach working as the hurricane approached. The skys were overcast and gloomy as the hurricane approached. We are at La Playita, an ocean front resturant next to Casa Mirador. Here again is the Lonely Mariachi playing to the only ones on the beach. We are visiting with a local policeman, (joined us for happy hour), telling us of the hurricane progress. As the hurricane arrived, those of us at Casa Mirador moved inland to "Bill's Place". We stayed at his home until the hurricane passed. View of kitchen.Another kitchen view. Kristin looks busy, but really is not.Bill's living room, open air to the court yard. Cool brick archways. Not a great photo, but there was lots of flooding.
A crowd gathers to see the large waves come ashore.After the worst was over, we went to the beach to see the wreckage. Notice the palm tree that washed ashore. Another photo of the flooding. People were actually waist deep in water. The River Cuale turned dark brown from the mud washed down the mountains.What used to be a great beach, not so much anymore. So we left Vallarta a day early and headed inland to Kristin's home, about a 9 hour bus ride. The weather was again nice, and this is the countryside from the bus.Waterfall in the distanceHere we are in a plaza in Guadalajara, Kristin posing with one of there unusual sculptures. Hand carved wooden doors of the cathedral below. Many parks and statues, this is Ignacio Vallarta, some local hero.The plazas featured local entertainment, school age children in native dress.
5 star hotel room in Guadaljara!Like our senate, a politicians hangout. We visited Kristin's place in Irapuato, then travel by bus to Guanajuato. Another 'big' statue of some local hero. Another cathedral Our room in Guanjuato, really unusual place. Guanajuato hillside. On the rooftop of our room, was a open air kitchen. Many of the main roads were under the city. Here we are emerging from one and a view of the very colorful homes. University of Guanajuato, Kris and Rachel on steps.
More of the colorful homes.
Entrance to underground road. Famous kissing street. The street became so narrow, legend tells of a boy and girl that would kiss each other from opposing street balconies. Now in Irapuato, this is a view of the market. Multiple small shops. Open air butcher shop, this one of all chicken and chicken parts, yum!Judy and I traveled alone to San Miguel de Allende. Home to many Canadians and Americans.
The End!