The final two days in Saltillo was spent at El Morillo, an old hacienda turned hotel for those desiring the feel of Old Mexico. This hacienda style residence has more than meets the ojo (eye). It lies on the south side of town just outside the city’s main loop on a slightly elevated segment. The courtyard is lush, well manicured, maintained and peaceful, the rooms simple, without TVs or phones. The décor is comfortable, authentic and rustic. There is an inviting lap-pool but too chilly to take a dip.
We planned on staying one night but enjoyed the ambiance so much we opted for two nights. We had set dinners at the time we requested. There is a bar with a DLP TV available to the patrons at any time.
In the mornings we sat on the large tile porch which extends from the central house and accessed their wireless connection. A great place to sit and have tea and coffee as we surfed.
After monitoring the continuing US Financial Saga,we drove the stressful streets of Saltillo to go to the bird museum. The roads into town are narrow and the signs are precariously placed and other drivers seem to ignore them. There are large speed bumps, called topes that will slow you down……whether you want to our not. Pedestrians bravely cross in areas of clear danger and cars seem to defy the physics of space. For Bruce, it is a nerve-wracking, tense, white-knuckled time. I do my best to keep him calm, focused, and both of us alert. I remind him, "we’ll get used to it".
Used book store on wheels.
Downtown for breakfast we found small restaurant with fresh gorditas, excellente!
Photo left: courtyard in a school.
The bird museum was one of the best natural museums we’d ever been to. Over 1500 species well preserved in a natural appearing environment. Well maintained and informative. Even we gringos could understand enough of the literature next to the displays. If you ever visit Saltillo, the Museo de la Aves is a must.
Back at hacienda, the daughter that runs the hotel sat with us during dinner and told us the history of El Morillo. Her family bought it over a hundred years ago as a ranch, but as most homes on the outskirts of town; it eventually was surrounded by the city. However, they were able to preserve a large part of it including an orchard and land for grazing horses. After dinner we went for a walk behind the house to find a private desert garden on a hill overlooking the valley and city of Saltillo. Bonita!
The hotel matron said that Saltillo used to be a place where Mexicans and Texans vacationed from the 1940s to the 1970s. General Motors moved in around the seventies and eighties and said it has forever changed the face of Saltillo. I think it’s still worth the visit.
