Started the morning with a visit to the church up the near hill – Chaplo de la Santa Cruz. Site of the first church in SMA around 1542. Also met new neighbors @ Casa Liza – Scott and Motoko from Newport Beach, CA. It was their first visit to SMA, but loved it. Were referred by friends who came a few months ago.
From there, went downtown to check on some things at library gift shop. Talked with Leona, a volunteer who steered me a a controversial book – Finding Frida Kahlo. Truth or fake? Who knows, but an interesting read of a alleged find of something's available at a local antique shop. Personal items from Frida Kahlo, who was Diego Rivera’s wife. Check out Amazon write-up.
http://www.amazon.com/Finding-Frida-Kahlo-Barbara-Levine/dp/1568988303
As always, many things for me to take photos of. Although I have posted over 800, my “collection” this trip is already over 10,000. Thank goodness for digital camera and high capacity storage cards :-)
Lunch was at a new place - Café Rana run by Jason. Good food and reasonable prices. Especially notable even at 2 pm all 20 seats filed with people waiting. Too many other places have little or no business. Location does not always seem to help – go figure.
We return to B&B to freshen up and get some respite from “mucho calori” or very hot – 85F. I love it, but many others refer to take that afternoon “siesta.” This is my first chance to get photo of Lupita or Lupe. She does the laundry at Casa Liza. Unlike most of the other staff who remain visible during the day, she is in a small building with washer and dryers humming away.
This day’s next walking trek took us first due South from Casa Liza on Redreo and Bajada del Chorro to Arroyo. Next past Del Sol. Then meandering (as always) past a mix of neighborhoods, with small “bungalows” to mansions beyond my purse strings :-)
It was great to see many shops; woodworking, tinsmiths, stone sculptors among the many places you see with open doors and gates.
Needless to say, after all the walking – seems like mostly uphill – stopped again at Oliver's Burger House. As before, ordered a Hamberguesa Tajan or Texan. Since the restaurant is one level back from the street, have to pass a small hallway to get back to walk. As I again wanted to peer thru the window of gallery and studio we saw only days before – noticed, the place was bare! Too many places that rely heavily on tourist traffic are faced with the decision to close and try to work from home or move.
On the way back, pass thru Parque Jaurez, the largest of about 6 parks in the colonial area which is just over 1 square mile. We spot some “classis cars.” Two Chrysler products from the 1960-70 era. One is Se Vende – for sale – as a “clasico” :-)
We make it back up the road to Casa Liza and join Marvin and Dorinda on one of the many patios here. Just then, a band strikes up the music, so we spend a couple of hours listening to the music. A thought it might have been to celebrate a birthday at the large home just in back of this property.
The boom-boom is some distant fireworks to alert of of maybe a birth or death. Some rain starts to come down, so we head for the nice comfy beds – suenos dulce – sweet dreams :-)
View all photos:
Today's photos @ http://picasaweb.google.com/magwheel44/Day21Of32SMA#
Days 1 to 22 @ http://picasaweb.google.com/magwheel44/SMASemanaSanta2010#
Days 23 to 33 @ http://picasaweb.google.com/magwheel44/SMASemanaSanta20102#
Adios – don Mariano
