October 15, 2008
After bypassing Guanajuato we stopped in the city of Silao. One walk through town gave us the heebee-jeebees. There were police throughout the city (wearing bullet proof vests, this is the norm) walking around with a purpose. It was no consulation that as soon as we parked the van a man asked if we wanted him to watch the van in broad daylight in the main-town square. The final straw was all of the eyes on me coming from every direction. Obviously not many Americans come here. The hotels were run down. We just didn't feel comfortable. We left after getting some great ice cream.
Onward to Valle de Santiago which is surrounded by a rich agricultural valley and has a large central market. The town seems prosperous in that the patrons are busy going about their daily business.
There were only a two hotels in town and both were adequate. We settled for Hotel Casona for 400 peso/night with hot shower (only available morning and night), comfy bed, and a fan...what more could you ask. When we asked everyone where the best restaurant was they all said Cafe Casona...at our hotel. The hotel manager, Gerry, was very helpful and accomodating, and also our waiter. He was a little uncomfortable with the van parked on the street all night so we pulled it right in front of the hotel's open-air front door so he could watch it. I put on the steering wheel lock and forgot about it. The number of cathedrals in each of these colonial towns is amazing. No less than 4 in each one. They are all beautiful and the center point of a plaza that always accompanys it.
Photo right: Gerry, hotel manager of La Casona. Kinda looks my golf buddy Jerry in Washington, this must be his Mexican twin.
After bypassing Guanajuato we stopped in the city of Silao. One walk through town gave us the heebee-jeebees. There were police throughout the city (wearing bullet proof vests, this is the norm) walking around with a purpose. It was no consulation that as soon as we parked the van a man asked if we wanted him to watch the van in broad daylight in the main-town square. The final straw was all of the eyes on me coming from every direction. Obviously not many Americans come here. The hotels were run down. We just didn't feel comfortable. We left after getting some great ice cream.
Onward to Valle de Santiago which is surrounded by a rich agricultural valley and has a large central market. The town seems prosperous in that the patrons are busy going about their daily business.
There were only a two hotels in town and both were adequate. We settled for Hotel Casona for 400 peso/night with hot shower (only available morning and night), comfy bed, and a fan...what more could you ask. When we asked everyone where the best restaurant was they all said Cafe Casona...at our hotel. The hotel manager, Gerry, was very helpful and accomodating, and also our waiter. He was a little uncomfortable with the van parked on the street all night so we pulled it right in front of the hotel's open-air front door so he could watch it. I put on the steering wheel lock and forgot about it. The number of cathedrals in each of these colonial towns is amazing. No less than 4 in each one. They are all beautiful and the center point of a plaza that always accompanys it.
Photo right: Gerry, hotel manager of La Casona. Kinda looks my golf buddy Jerry in Washington, this must be his Mexican twin.
