Christmas in Guanajuato, Mexico

We 19 elderhostelers quickly became friends as we explored the splendors of Guanajuato,
a capitol and a university town-- with an opera house,
a marvelous regional museum, a Cervantes museum and festival,
a Diego Rivera museum, many baroque churches and plazas, a splendid basilica.
We stayed at the Mision Guanajuato on the grounds of an old hacienda,
with a pool and a tennis court and extensive gardens.
From there we moved by bus to excursions to view mining towns like Valenciana,
and the Christo Rey statue on the highest point in Mexico.
We stayed also in San Miguel de Allende and Queretero,
learning from Chava Santa Cruz the history of Mexico and its revolution
in towns like Dolores Hidalgo, Bernal, Tquisquiapan, Atontonilco.
I liked the Noche Buena (the poinsetta and the beer),
the wandering lanes with glimpses into courtyards,
the nascimientos, the colorful Christmas piniatas, the gilded altarpieces--
I loved it all. Thanks to Geronimo, our host, and to all who made it so enjoyable.

Nuestra Senora de Guanajuato Basilica, with Peace statue in La Paz Square	The altar--Basilica of Guanajuato	The Aqueduct in Queretero stretches across the valley
The audience applauded Concert of Folk Singers in Queretero's Main Square	Chava Santa Cruz--our teacher/guide	The Tuna were among the favorites.
In Queretero --shopping again!	Courtyard in Queretero	Noche Buena on a courtyard fountain
	Giant pinata in Queretero	Father Hidalgo cried out for independence at Nuestra Senora de las Dolores
Huge Retablo of the Virgin of Guadalupe in Queretero, Church of Santa Clara	Sta Clara, detail	Chava describes the facade of Nuestra Senora de las Dolores parish churc
In Queretero's Main Square I convinced the Three Kings that I had been very good.	Tquisquiapan's main square	Arturo leads the Posada singing for us.
Details from Santa Clara, Queretero	Angel confers Mitre	We joined in the posada.
Arturo and Chava join the men	Breaking the Pinata after the Posada	The Women of our group on the steps of the University of Guanajuato
	San Jose with the Nino	Fountain in Queretero Regional Museum
The main attraction of San Miguel Allende is the San Miguel Parish Church.	Guanajuato has an Opera House!	View from the Opera House steps.
Next door to our hotel in Guanajuato was the San Gabriel Hacienda.	Main altar at San Cayetano, Valenciana	Darrell and Susanne Torrence from Wisconsin enlivened our party
Bernal is full of charming shops with works by local artesans.	Bernal Mission Church, one of many founded by Junipero Serra	Bernal is known for its fine wool weavings.
A jalopy is a garden ornament in Bernal.	The Rock of Bernal	Bernal is just too charming!
Many North Americans study at the Negromonte Art School in San Miguel	Joseph and Mary wait in a Queretero church.	A life size Nino arrives only after Midnight Mass on Noche Bueno, Christmas Eve
Rafael and Shirley Brand were very kind and helpful to me.	A first communion in Queretero	Alice McCauley, Roselyn Frank, Penny Ball finishing coffee in Queretero
Marilyn Fead and I relaxed by the pool in Guanajuato	Christo Rey--highest point in Mexico	We admire a Harley gleaming in the middle of the town square in Bernal.
	Noche Buena--Cerveza Especial for Christmas
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