Arrested Development - Ex-Pats Mexico

6) El Hotelito Desconocido, Costa Alegre. "Conceived by a former Italian Fashion Designer..brings together ecotourism and barefoot luxury." There 24 palafitos (thatched cabanas) all built like a fishing village over the water on stilts, some are only accessible by boats. No telephones, only candles, room service summoned by raising a small flag. Here's the website http://www.hotelito.com/ - I did notice that some of the huts seem to be duplex or more - with only palm walls, hope you don't get stuck next to the honeymoon couple from Toledo.

7) The Beloved Pink Church, San Miguel de Allende. La Parroquia, may be one of the nation's most beloved churches. It is unique because the faux-Gothic spires were added in 1880, inspired by Gothic postcards from European Cathedrals such as Notre Dame. In the late afternoon the unique cantera stone changes from a bright pink to a gray mauve. On special nights the spotlights come on, lighting up the towers.

8) Folk Art of the Huichol Defines a Way of Life, Sayulita.For the Huichol, art is religion and religion is art. Their tiny, beaded masterworks have proven popular with both casual collectors and experts. The gallery in the surfing village of Sayulita is mentioned, maybe because it supports a non-profit cultural center, but I think we have all seen Huichol shops all over Nayarit and Jalisco. Their religious culture is interesting and unique. People get sucked up into it like Egyptology.

9) Mysterious Swimming Holes of the Ancient Maya, Yucatan. This is a long article, with amazing pictures, featuring the cenotes of the Yucatan, I will come back to it upon request. It mentions six cenotes, the most photogenic they say is Cenote X'Keken at Dzitnup. "Arrive early, before the tours" they say "with tree roots dangling overhead and bats flitting among the drip stones. Stay at least until the midday shaft of sunlight illuminates the vast cavern, an incomparable photo op". What can I say - this is National Geographic,folks. The other cenotes mentioned are Yokdzonot, Gran Cenote, Dos Ojos, Cenote Sagrado.

10) Callejoneada: A Living Fairy Tale, Guanajuato. "Mexico rarely embraces its Spanish heritage. A notable exception is the callejoneada, or roaming street party, styled after the bawdy student groups who survived on wit and song during bleak times in medieval Spain." The students, often real music students, especially in the state capitals, roam the streets attracting a following, drinking wine from parrones, flasks that can squirt the wine without anybody touching their lips to it. "Callejoneadas also occur in Zacatecas, San Luis Potosi, and Morelia.

In 1974 I was a student in Madrid, Spain and lived with a family near a plaza where there is a statue of Don Quijote and Sancho Panza...among many fond memories of that time is one real stand-out...hearing what must have been something like a Callejoneada. I have never been able to track down what I saw and heard and this must be what it was.

It was about 9 at night and from my room I heard a rhythmic clapping. I walked out on my little 3rd floor balcony and was treated to a group of perhaps 20 young men walking and clapping in very rhythmic patterns. There were main rhythms and counter rhythms...it was like a 'clapping song'...I am having a hard time describing this 34 year old memory. The whole thing lasted about 5 minutes or so as they walked down the street and disappeared. At the time I asked what it was and was told that they were students....nothing more.

Thanks for stirring that old, but not quite medieval, memory.

A little more wandering down memory lane:)



6)Was curious to visit 'El Hotelito' when it first opened until read the prices. And several reviews.
Ja! ja!!!! Some people like to pay big prices for 'rusticity'. Not this old camper! When I used to write travel/cultural articles did make a point of visiting many available accommodations. Talked with many of the guests, interviewed the owners or managers. Stayed in some of them. Interesting...and educational:)

7)Didn't visit this pink church but tend to visit many of the historic churches in any colonial city. And certainly always the one, in any small town. And often arrange to be visiting that particular town, during its annual parochial fiesta. Also find it stimulating to tour some of these grand structures, that get turned into orphanages, music schools, theatres, museums etc.
There's a books series by a couple with a long-lasting interest in researching the history of many of the historic cathedrales, monasteries, churches etc. of colonial Mexico. With a photo web-site and black and white drawings in the text. Link later.

8)Some years, ago, was working with an ex-pat, Huichol art dealer, married to a Mexican woman, whose grand-mother just happened to own a remote coffee plantation we once hiked to in Nayarit. On the possibility of introducing eco-tourism to that particular remote ranch.
Although don't know any Huicholes personally outside of being briefly introduced, we camped often at Laguna de Santa Maria, a small crater lake, outside Tepic, doorway to the Huichol world. One year, we met a Canadian woman anthropologist and professor who had lived among and studied with the Huichol for the past 25 years. She had very nearly married into a clan. Provided many interesting conversations around the ol'campfire.

9)Cenotes! Have loved and swam. Not Dznip but others.
One (at that time)swimming in a certain small secluded cenote became our favorite daily pastimes. So much so, the three kids gave up swimming in the ocean!
For the three week stay. Plus the turtle sanctuary on same beach was another plus to the spot.

10)Callejoneada:
When visiting Guanajuanto for the first time last winter, made a point to join a callejoneada. At night, around 8 p.m. a troupe of music students,(different costumes, instruments) seemed to take turns leading the public through the city's tortured, narrow streets and lanes. Singing, laughing...didn't see much drinking but at other times, hear drinking and revelry is much heightened. Led...then left...at the foot of 'for fee' entry famous tourist spot. The fundicular up to the El Pipilá? Museums and souvenir shops along the way.

The view over Guanajuanto at the top of the cerro, at night, is stunning. Would vote it, a "Best Place to Kiss, in Mexico." Every evening couples arrive, to 'vote'.
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I thought I answered that ... hope that does not mean messages are going missing, but I'm old

A friend from Barra and I made a long day trip up to Majahuas and then along the coast to Tehuamixtle ... then out to El Tuito on the highway. We kept seeing signs to Hotelito Desconocido but it is difficult to find - many one lane roads cutting back and forth thru the fields. It turned out to be another of those exclusive resorts that you need reservations or you don't get past the guards. Oh well

A few fotos from the trip
http://sparks-mexico.com/costalegre/majahuas/index.html


Playa Penitas

#9 Cenotes truly are incredible. It was the chance to dive in them that got Mimi and I to Akumal the first time, back in the 1990s. The cenote Dzitnup is very photogenic, a single shaft of light comes from the ceiling way above and the stalagmites and stalactites meet in the water and you can swim around them and through that circle of light. It's just outside of Valladolid and not far from Chichen Itza. There are thousands of cenotes here though and many that are just as beautiful. They are one of the really unique beauties of the Yucatan.