7:00am Thursday morning, 40 minute, hike to the bus stop--2nd Class bus 100km to Guanajuato.

Three (3) people on board, how do they pay for the gas--15 stops over the next 10km and we were full, and going to keep stopping-tie them to the roof I guess--then all of a sudden almost everyone got off -in the middle of nowhere?

45 minutes of nothing but plains, expecting Eli Wallach or Lee VanClief to ride up on their horses anytime.

Over a mountain, around a corner, into a valley, and all of a sudden there it was--looking like 'all' 5 Cinque Terre towns were bundled up and brought over from Italy, built on the sides of the mountains. Absolutely beautiful--spent the day wondering the small, hilly, and winding streets until time to go back to the bus terminal.

The ride home was first Class-$2.00 more--included a drink, treat, and a movie (problem being the movie was longer than the 1 1/4 ride home--go figure.

Beat up we showered and off to bed, getting some rest before tommorow's (Fridays Cinco de Mayo festival--more fireworks?)

Adios.

Hola! Everything fine here but blogger sometimes won't load pictures.
Another day in Mexico; another holiday. The 1st of May was our big march, the 3rd was one where the bells rang until midnight (but the fireworks didn't start until 5:30 a.m.) and today is cinquo de Mayo. Carpe Diem in Mexico means fire rockets early and fire often. But we're the ones who decided not to stay at resorts but to live in the cities so this is the way it is. Senor Bruce will attempt to blog tonight with pics on our trip to Guanajunto yesterday. Adios--N.

15 sleeps gone, 13 more to go.
I attach some misc. photos

Most of the past days have been spent digging into all the corners of SMA--festivals, shops, boutiques, and/or just sitting around the Jardin (daily) watching life go bye.

We have eaten in nice restaurants, little cafes, and side walk venders with minimal use of Immodium.

More of our future days (and some nights) will be visiting some of the surrounding towns and communities (Guanajuato, Morelia, Patzcuaro, and the old silver mine ghost town of Pozos)

Internet access may (will) be hit and miss so whatcontact may be available is sketchy. Keep those comments, and/or emails coming--it gives a feeling of home, eh!

Adios

Has anyone seen this woman's picture on the local Post Office wall's most wanted list?

A Day WithoutImmigrants - covered by CNN and yours truly! (Well CNN didn't actually come to SMA) but Bruce and I did march, ending up at the American consulate. It was a huge demonstration. I do not advocate entering any country illegally but the government is just not processing millions of cases and keeping a labor force in America on low wages. Think globally act locally - and we did. Uh-ohh, pictures refuse to load; will try another computer tomorror or later today. We're off to the Market.
Adios.--N.

PROTEST! PROTEST!
-Having trouble uploading pictures so 'imagine' a large cactus, eh!

The Americans have themselves in a 'prickly' situation----Again! We are off this morning to join in the protest march on the American Consulate, for the Mexican Immigrants, so if you do not receive any electronic messages tommorrow it can only mean we are behind bars. Brrings back memories of the 60's, eh--long hair, marches, singing songs, Woodstock ( I was oh, so close to going!)

All that being said the weekend was an ongoing series of parties, concerts, parades, and fireworks.

-Italian version of the Nylons, singing classical stuff, in the Jardin.
-Mexico's version of the Sea Cadet Bugle Band.
-BIG political party, bands, free food, singing, dancing.
-When I arrived back at the Casa Young, there was a local festival taking place, blocking off the whole street--large puppets, bands, native dancers, and more firworks.

Well, it's off to the march, hope to see you soon!

Adios

PS--side note on the fireworks, as may have been said before--good thing everything here is made of stone or they would have burned the city down years ago.

Basically the pyromaniacs come along, set up these 6 inch vertical pipes, stuff 'stuff' into them and BOOM--people standing 5-10 feet away. After they go up, explode, down comes all the left over stuff--scary.

The tour to the pyramids at Teotihucan (Mexico City)was long and hot but so very worthwhile. The sungod climbed both the Sun and the Moon pyramids but the bright sun and 90 degrees was too much for me. My forte was haggling for sterling silver and turquoise bracelets. Sellers of junk and treasurers were omnipresent and dogged ones steps constantly.

After the museum I began interacting with school (tour) kids. Soon I was a must-stop for 4 different tours with me asking thir names in Spanish and teaching them to say "How are You?" and "Fine, thank you" in English. Shaking their hands and asking them to come to Canada always brought on the giggles. I loved talking to the bring-along parents, too. The role seems to be the same whatever the language.--N.