Saltillo, Coahuila

October 7, 2008

Yesterday afternoon we arrived in downtown Saltillo. A city of more than 600,000 people and many manufacturing plants, including Kimberly Clark, Chrysler, General Motors, and Grupo International Saltillo (manufactures many appliances, silverware and autoparts- some which you may own).

Photos: Hotel Urbinola.
Our downtown Hotel Urbinola is beautiful and grand until you get to the rooms. You feel like you walk into a 5 star boutique hotel to be lead to a half-sized Motel 8 room. Welcome to Mexico, it's only $40 USD.

Photo below and right: Inside main cathedral and local park.


We walked around and found a patio restaurant near a plaza for dinner. There is a lot of restoration going on in downtown with the streets, sidewalks and monument facades. The squares and buildings are old and well kept and there are many people sitting about.



While walking around we were approached by a "professor" that chatted with us for a while and then kindly offered to give us a tour inside the cathedral. He spoke excellent English, but when in the church he spoke "from his heart" and said he supports a small village outside Saltillo. In sum, indirectly asking for a donation. We did receive a nice tour, he answered questions we had about other things so we gave him 200 pesos ($17USD). One thing we must realize is, we as Americans, especially Bruce, stick out. It became clear with the staring, pointing and yelling "Americano". Paro, es no problema. We'll get use to it.

Photo left: Bruce, the sole gringo in the square.
Our room was a bit noisy and neither of us slept well. After breakfast we drove to El Morillo, an old hacienda that is now a hotel. A nicer spread and a little more: $50.42 USDs per night (a deal by American standards). As Hotel Urbinola, it is empty. I think we're the only ones here. Bueno!


Bronze statue of a Spanish Conquistador, Indian and Missionary...those that made Mexico.