We left Dolores Hidalgo and proceeded to Guanajuato (the capital of the state of the same name). We ran into a slight complication when we found out there had been a mix up with the reservation and we no longer had rooms there. Fortunately the trip coordinators were able to find us another hotel. By the time we figured out rooms, waited on keys and took our stuff to the rooms, it was almost 11:00 pm -- time for the Grito!
I could make out the "Viva Mexico! Viva!" but not too much else because of the noisemakers, cheering, etc. At the end they had a structure that lit up with different colored sparklers as well as fireworks.
The Grito took place in front of the Alhóndiga de Granaditas. The building was originally a granary and later a prison and fort. The Spanish took refuge there in 1810 against Miguel Hidalgo's insurgent troops.
Juan José Martínez ("El Pípila") approached the building carrying a large stone on his back to protect himself, and set the building on fire. When the four main participants -- Miguel Hidalgo, Ignacio Allende, Juan Aldama and Jose Mariano Jimenez -- were later behaded, their heads were hung from the four corners of the Alhóndiga to discourage other independence movements. The building now houses the Museum of Mexican Independence.
After the Grito there was live music. We stayed until they finished and then made our way to continue the celebration at on of the bars in town.
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Lots of people at the Grito in Guanajuato.
The Alondiga is in the background. |
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| View from a hotel balcony |
Thursday we had a free day in Guanajuato -- it was by far my favorite city of the trip! After a trip to the internet cafe to cancel my credit cards -- where my gmail account was also hacked =( --we spent the day exploring.
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Steps in front of the Alondiga, view of the colorful houses of
Guanajuato in the background |
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| Inside the Alondiga |
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| The house where Diego Rivera was born |
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Diego Rivera, magnificent painter, was born
in this house on December 8, 1886. |
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University of Guanajuato. How would you like to
climb those steps to go to class? |
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| Man making pottery at a Guanajuato art/craft fair |
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| Guanajuato art/craft fair |
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| Teatro Juarez |
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| El Pipila monument |
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| View from El Pipila monument/lookout |
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Kids (and Lilian) playing soccer on the steps
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| Teatro Principal |
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| with La Catrina |
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Teatro Cervantes. Guanajuato hosts the
Cervantes International Festival of the Arts every year |
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| Lots of tunnels in Guanajuato |
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| Callejon del Beso |
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Callejon del Beso. The legend is that a rich woman lived in the house
on the right and a poor miner in the house on the left.
They fell in love and would meet on their balconies and kiss.
The girl's father caught them and gave them a warning, but they ignored it.
When he caught them again, he killed his daughter. |
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| Market |
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| I don't remember what these were called but they were tasty! |
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Teatro Juarez at night
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Listening to the Callejoneada/estudiantina -- traveling street serenade,
made up of a group of students |
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| Callejoneada estudiantina |
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| Callejoneada estudiantina |
I loved Guanajuato!!
