Two Perspectives: Guanajuato

Written by Bessie and Kyle about Mexico. Feelin' happy
Bessie_happy
Guanajuato is a gem of Central Mexico, and I hope I can come back here some day.  It's roots are as a mining town; I read that 20% of the world's silver came from the mines here.  Some cities could easily get washed-up after its economy peaked, but not Guanajuato.  This town's middle name is charming and it feels more like a old European city than someplace in Mexico.  Check out some pictures, you may barely believe it if you didn't see it.
 
Santo Cafe in Guanajuato  Plazuela San Fernando, Guanajuato  Street in Guanajuato      

Under the Action
One thing that is so unique about Guanajuato is it's underground street system.  Basically, old mine shafts run everywhere underneath this city, and they have since turned them into roads - think Lower Wacker Drive.  Not only is this fantastic for getting underneath traffic jams, but it's also incredibly charming and almost exotic. 

Kyle staring down a dog
(Kyle staring down a pooch.)

Over the Action
The city is situated in a valley like many cities in Mexico and Central America, but the heights here are very accessible and make for fantastic views.  Whether we climbed staircases or winding streets and alleys, the views of the colorful houses dotting the surrounding mountains made the climb well worth it.

Guanajuato Panorama


In the Action
The entire downtown colonial area is a UN World Heritage Site, which is a prestigious status to have, and it deserves it.  It's a very social, accessible, and affordable city with intriguing architecture and surprises around every corner.  The way I understand it, Vicente Fox was governor of this state and resided here before he became president, and the city was well treated and is well preserved. 

The Market here is 99 years old and going strong.  The thing that sets this market apart from others is the old, dramatic building is set in.  I felt like I went back in time walking through the doors.  Kyle and I ate our way through eating ceviche, shrimp cocktail, manges & strawberries dipped in chocolate with gummy bears, and a strawberry shake all for less than $7.  I'd do it again tomorrow...

Chocolate covered everyting in Mercado Hidalgo, Guanajuato  Kyle with chocholate covered mango and strawberries in Mercado Hidalgo, Guanajuato  Crackers, Shrimp Cocktail, and Ceviche in Mercado Hidalgo, Guanajuato 

Traveling through central Mexico, I've learned that all colonial cities are not made equal.

Two Perspectives: Guanajuato

Written by Bessie and Kyle about Mexico. Feelin' happy
Kyle_happy



Can Guanajuato now be my favorite place in Mexico?  Guanajuato, if you would like to accept, I would like to give you the Kyle's Favorite Place So Far While Travelling Award.  It's very prestigious, so you should be flattered.

Why is Guanajuato my favorite place so far?  Well, because it's unlike any place that I have seen so far.  The city has almost a European feel like a Prague, which I haven't been to, or a Bratislava, except it's not pretentious and there are hardly any tourists there.  I still haven't figured out why people pass this place up and go to lesser places like San Miguel De Allende, but whatever, that leaves more for us to explore.Kyle posing with Claricó, Guanajuato

First off, the city is picturesque wherever you go.  Everytime we turned a corner, there was something cool to take a picture of.  The colors of the buildings mixed with the history and the cobblestone roads make it one of the prettiest cities that I have seen.  On top of that, it's pretty tranquil so there's no pesky people to get in the way of that perfect photo. 

Secondly, the city has this facinating underground tunnel system.  Since the city started out as a mining town, there were already tunnels there, so when the city became more populated and the silver started to run out, the mining tunnels were turned into pedestrian / traffic tunnels.  With the underground world and the overground world, it reminded me a bit of Fraggle Rock.  I did not see any Fraggles underground, though, unfortunately :(

Lastly, the town is really affordable.  Everywhere that we wanted to go eat or drink was well within our price range.  One day, we actually spent the whole night drinking a pitcher of claricó, which is like sangria with orange-aide.  And when you can get a chocolate covered mango and chocolate covered strawberrys together for less than a bottle of water, you know you are in a good place.

I'll leve you with some awesome photos of this place.  Beautiful!

Street in Guanajuato
Flowers in Guanajuato
Burros in a Guanajuato alley
Street in Guanajuato

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