Category Archives: Uncategorized

Feb19

Shopping??????

Posted on February 19, 2019 by iamkaren23

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Aguascalientes is an exciting city with a treasure of museums, churches and parks to explore. I had originally intended to stay for one month. I am now into my second month and still have a list of places I want to go and things I want to do. Last Thursday I decided to check out the Altaria Mall instead of my usual exploring. A 20 minute Uber ride and I felt like I was in an entirely different world.

I’m staying in Las Flores which is a typical Mexican neighborhood. The Altaria Mall is like any American mall and has many of the chain stores such as Bershka, Pull and Bear, Radio Shack, Starbucks and more. One of the flagship stores is Sears, so I now feel like I am in Mexico as Sears has all but vanished in the USA and Canada. The other main department store is Liverpool.

As I strolled through the mall, I was amused to see that Liverpool was selling Krispy Kreme donuts. I selected a Boston Cream but was disappointed and realized how much I missed Tim Horton’s in Canada.

I walked by ComicX and I recalled fond memories of the one in Mazatlan where I often went with friends. I couldn’t help but snap photos of these lovable characters.

Hours later I found myself back in an Uber headed for home. Along the way we passed a tienguis close to where I was staying. I traded my sandals for track shoes and headed back out.

This tienguis was primarily fruits and vegetables with only a smattering of other items. It was much smaller than the one I used to frequent in Tlaquepaque. I was enchanted by the birds in cages and of course enjoyed the people-watching.

That was my shopping day…….from one extreme to another.

Feb6

Diana’s Story

Posted on February 6, 2019 by iamkaren23

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I first met Diana in Aquismon on Thanksgiving Day in November. Six years old with a bright smile, she charmed all of us. A few days later, she moved to San Ciro de Acosta and my friend Bonnie became her new mother. Diana’s mother had abandoned her shortly after she gave birth and Diana had been living with her grandmother.

I first met Bonnie in a Facebook group back in November. I was looking for a small non-expat town where I could focus both on my writing and on my Spanish. Bonnie is from Texas and had married a Mexican and moved to San Ciro. Her mother Connie had moved to San Ciro a couple of months before I arrived.

I was curious as to why Bonnie and Ricky were so eager to adopt a child. Both have children and grandchildren from previous marriages. While Ricky’s family are here in Mexico, Bonnie had left all of her family behind in Texas. In addition, Bonnie’s daughter had died at the young age of 28 only 3 years before. To quote Bonnie, “I was left with an empty feeling. I was very lonely and I’ve always loved kids. When I saw how many kids really needed homes, I really became interested in adopting.”

They spoke with staff at DIF and learned that adoption is a difficult and long process here in Mexico. Ricky thought that maybe someone might give them their baby if they could not afford to feed and clothe another child. Months went by and they had resigned themselves to the fact that if it was God’s will an opportunity might arise.

And an opportunity did arise unexpectedly when they hired a boat guide one day. They had taken one of the neighbor’s children on their excursion that day. Mr. Martinez saw how they interacted and asked if Luis was their only child, Bonnie jokingly told him that Luis wasn’t their child, but that they were looking to adopt. He told them that his sister was raising her granddaughter and was looking for a home for her. Phone numbers were exchanged. Mr. Martinez invited them over for dinner. A friendship developed and the families began to see each other regularly. However no word was ever spoken about the child.

We were eating dinner on Thanksgiving Day when Bonnie and Ricky were asked if they’d like to meet Diana. After dinner, Bonnie and Ricky went to Mr. Martinez’s sister’s home and a couple of hours later they returned with Diana and her grandmother. Apparently Diana had already told her teacher that she was moving far away.

Bonnie and Ricky wanted to make sure that everything was done legally. Four days later they returned to Aquismon to pick up Diana. They consulted with a lawyer in Aquismon who drew up documents granting them full custody and guardianship. These papers were signed by Bonnie, Ricky, the grandmother and Mr. Martinez.

Adoption is complicated here. Had they gone that route, the process would have taken two years or more and Diana would be placed in an orphanage for that time period. As it stands, they are not allowed to take Diana out of the country. They also opted not to change her name as that would have added an additional 50,000 pesos to the legal fees already incurred.

The next step was to enrol Diana in a public school. Registration was 480 pesos and fees for the uniforms were another 2000 pesos. They also had to pay 80 pesos for breakfast fees although the school has yet to provide any food in this program. Students are expected to be immaculately groomed and in full uniform. Points are deducted from their grades if they are not.

The school itself has no heat or air conditioning. Parents must purchase all supplies, including toilet paper. Parents take turns cleaning the classrooms. They are also responsible for setting out cones to control traffic before and after school.

Parents are also expected to bring lunch to the children each day. Bonnie hands Diana her lunch through the bars as parents are not allowed on the campus. There are no chairs or tables and the children eat their lunch standing up outside in the courtyard.

Diana is adjusting remarkably well to her new life. She is learning to play and be a child instead of working in the sugar cane fields after school. She has made friends and eagerly shares her new toys and dolls with them. She has been introduced to swimming and indoor plumbing. Her diet now includes a variety of healthy foods in addition to the rice and beans she was accustomed to.

Most importantly, Diana is basking in the glow of all the love that Bonnie and Ricky have to offer. And I feel blessed that I have been a part of their lives and have shared in this amazing experience.

Feb2

This Week in AGS

Posted on February 2, 2019 by iamkaren23

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It’s been a busy week. I haven’t had much time for blogging. I’ve been visiting museums and admiring churches. Of course there was an unexpected side trip to Walmart…………

On Saturday I went to the Plaza Tecnologia in search of a new battery for my phone. Oh oh! I couldn’t find one. A building filled with booths and no-one had the one I needed.

On Sunday I was delighted to find a Christian church right around the corner from where I’m staying. A handful of the congregants also spoke English although the service was in Spanish. My Spanish is really getting a workout this winter.

On Monday my destination was Walmart. I was on a mission to buy a new phone. And I did. And I am still playing with it and trying to adapt to all the new features. It’s only been two years since I bought my last phone. Quite amazing how there have been so many changes.

On Tuesday I dropped my laundry off at the lavenderia and discovered a lovely cafe close to where I’m staying. I then went to Centro to explore the Casa de la Cultura. I must admit that the art there was not really to my liking, but it was definitely different.

On Wednesday I decided it was time for a road trip. I headed to Leon, Guadajuato. I had been there briefly eight years ago en route to Irapuato. Leon was the closest airport. I spent part of the day in the historic Centro area visiting the Cathedral and other churches. I then browsed through the Zona de Piel. Leon is known for its leather and I was happy to find a new fanny pack as my old one was disintegrating.

On Thursday I was back to visiting museums and churches. The museum was dedicated to a famous artist here in Mexico, Jose Guadalupe Posada. The museum is located adjacent to the Templo del Encino, a beautiful church.

Today I enjoyed a wonderful lunch at Loncheria Fer, owned by my friend Fernando. It was leisurely and three hours passed by quickly. Fernando has been a wealth of information about Aguascalientes and his cousin Raul manages the hotel where I’m staying.

Throw in phone calls to my family and friends in Canada and the USA, sorting through photos and learning to use my new phone, the days have flown. I’ve also had some interesting conversations with locals at the park and other places. I’m quite surprised at how many have been to Canada and even knew where Winnipeg is.

I’m staying in tonight and resting up for tomorrow. The planned agenda is two museums and a church. That will put me at the halfway mark for visiting museums in this city.

Jan27

Museos Museos Museos

Posted on January 27, 2019 by iamkaren23

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I can’t help it. I’m a museum addict. At least I have become one since living in Mexico. Guadalajara is still in the lead although Aguascalientes is definitely providing competition for a city of its size.

I’ve been here just over a week and have already visited three museums. My earlier post on Museo Nacional de las Muertes speaks for itself. In this post I will focus on the other two museums I’ve visited.

On Thursday I ventured down a side street close to the bull ring and was completely enchanted with Museo del Juguete Tradicional Mexicano Aguascalientes. There are over a thousand exhibits here featuring traditional toys from all over Mexico. These toys are made from a range of materials including wood, rags, sugar, newspaper, mud and even chewing gum. Admission is a mere 15 pesos, a small price to pay for a delightful venture back into childhood. Of course, coming from Canada, these toys are amazingly different from those I grew up with.

On Friday I went to the Regional Museo de Historia Aguascalientes. The building itself is an old structure with a lovely fountain at the entrance. There are several rooms with displays depicting the geological and cultural history of the area. Brush up on your Spanish as there are no English translations of the descriptive notes. Admission is 55 pesos, but it is free to seniors, students and teachers.

3 museums down. Only 8 more to go.

Jan24

Museo Nacional de las Muertes

Posted on January 24, 2019 by iamkaren23

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Death. A cause for celebration or a time to dread. I guess it depends on your outlook on life. I heard that there was a museum of death here in Aguascalientes and I had to check it out. After all, Dia de las Muertes is one of my favorite experiences here in Mexico.

I was greeted at the door by this lovely skull. It was also a Wednesday so admission was free.

This museum is home to a collection of items pertaining to burial customs, including photographs of the dead. I was directed down a dark, steep flight of stairs into a crypt where I found this creature.

As I wandered through the various rooms, I was amazed at the display of artifacts dealing with death throughout the ages. There are literally hundreds of paintings, sculptures, lithographs and photos. Here is a small sampling:

This museum is definitely a must for any tourist visiting Aguascalientes.

Jan22

I’m Back! Guess Where????

Posted on January 22, 2019 by iamkaren23

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We take a lot of things for granted in life. When they suddenly become unavailable we become frustrated and annoyed. While I thoroughly enjoyed my two months in San Ciro de Acosta, the precarious internet has seriously affected my writing. Sitting next to the modem in the office of the junkyard (yes, the hotel office was the junkyard office) the signal came in as fair at best. Uploading photos took forever. I was constantly getting messages that I had timed out when trying to reach a website. Google would repeatedly tell me to check my internet connection. Ugh!

But I am now back in civilization. I am in the beautiful city of Aguascalientes. I haven’t been here a week yet and I am amazed at what this city has to offer. I sincerely hope that I can cram the eleven museums and other interesting landmarks into the month I intend to stay here.

A mere 5 minute walk from where I am staying is Expoplaza, a huge mall currently still under construction. Only a few shops and restaurants are open right now, but I was delighted to find Cinemex open and I enjoyed a movie yesterday afternoon.

Directly in front of the mall is a beautiful park with an abundance of benches and tables. I have decided that when it’s time to color this outdoor venue appeals to me. The park also has an awesome playground for the kids. Just beyond the park is an area designated for roller skating.

As I continue my walk towards Centro, I come across a street that reminds me of Calle Independencia in Tlaquepaque. Lined with restaurants and shops, it is open to pedestrian traffic only. I had a delicious torta and horchata yesterday afternoon for lunch.

Minutes later I arrive at the Templo San Marcos and the Jardin San Marcos. The church was crowded and a quinceanara was taking place. When girls turn fifteen here in Mexico, it is a great cause for celebration.

The Jardin San Marcos has fast become one of my favorite spots here in Aguascalientes. The greenery is spectacular, the music relaxing and the variety of street vendors displaying their wares is most interesting. Food, candy and toys seem to be the most popular ones.

About five minutes past the park and I am in Centro near the Basilica. This afternoon I went to Telcel to renew my plan. Best experience ever! Ten cashiers, no lineup and cashier activated it immediately. So much easier than in Mazatlan.

I then took a ride on the Turbus to acquaint myself with the city. The tour was in Spanish and I understood almost everything the tour guide said. I added a few places to my “to visit” list.

After the tour, I strolled down one of the side streets and came across yet another beautiful church. Across the street from it was a mall called Parian where I sought some air-conditioned relief from the heat outside.

Tomorrow is museum day……

Jan5

Arroyo Seco y Conca, Queretaro

Posted on January 5, 2019 by iamkaren23

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Thursday afternoon, my friends took me out on a drive to the neighboring state of Queretaro. The drive through the mountains was breathtaking and made me homesick for the mountains up north in Washington state.

Our first stop was Arroyo Seco, a town a little larger than San Ciro. The streets were very narrow and within minutes we were at the plaza. The plaza is the hub of the town with tiendas and taco stands surrounding it. Naturally the church is close by.

We headed back to the highway and continued our drive. We soon arrived in the quaint town of Conca. Our first stop here was the church.

Next we drove down to a park area close to the river. I chose to pass on the swimming. I was glad I did as my friends said the water was cold and the fish were nipping at their feet.

Instead I went for a walk and checked out the millenium tree. People tell me it’s hundreds of years old although I was unable to pinpoint the exact age.

I continued my walk for a while.

I wasn’t brave enough to walk across that little log bridge although I did see children running across it. I wonder if I would have done that as a child.

Dec27

Adios 2018!

Posted on December 27, 2018 by iamkaren23

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The older we get the faster the time flies by. 2019 is fast approaching and promises to be another exciting fun-filled year with more amazing adventures. As I reflect on 2018, I see a strengthening of several relationships as well as a fair amount of travel.

I rang in the New Year in Culiacan with my family. I returned to Mazatlan in January and soon got caught up in art walks, concerts, movies and luncheons.

February is synonymous with Carnaval where parades and music abound. I also managed a quick weekend trip to Culiacan as there was an event at my grandson’s school. I took a day trip to with the Solo Snowbirds to El Qelite, a pueblos magico. But the true highlight of the month was the birth of my granddaughter, Madeline Annette, in Canada.

March was dominated with music and ballet performances. My friends Elly and Dwayne from Leavenworth were visiting Mazatlan and we had a delightful Sunday brunch together along with an afternoon by the pool at their hotel.

On April 1^st, Easter dinner was at Al Chile with my friends Peggy, Delmar and Barry. Motorcycle Week roared in and I had a whirlwind trip to Culiacan to see my family before heading to Ontario. It was exciting to finally meet Maddie and my week with her flew by all too quickly.

Then I was off to Toronto to spend time with Deborah, one of my best friends who also used to live in Winnipeg. On April 30^th I was up in the air again on my way to Leavenworth via Seattle.

May was a busy month with activities at the Senior Center, SAIL classes, Church, book club and of course renewing the friendships I had made during the previous two summers I’d been in Leavenworth. The music and dancing at Maifest was most enjoyable. Laurel and I bravely hiked the difficult trails at Ohme Gardens as we had misread the signs. Knee replacements work!

Things got even busier in June as Linda and I prepared our classroom for VBS (Vacation Bible School.) Perfecting the crafts provided a bit of a challenge. Decorating the room was really a blast as well. The Accordion Festival in Leavenworth and Founders Day in Cashmere were held on the same weekend, and that made it rather hectic. I also started a course in memoir writing at the end of the month.

July 4^th is synonymous with Kinderfest in Leavenworth. More preparing for VBS and then an amazing week with the kids at VBS, truly the highlight of my stay in Leavenworth. I also attended two performances of Leavenworth Summer Theater……Sound of Music and My Fair Lady. Christmas in July was held at Upper Valley Museum as well.

In August Ann and I did a whirlwind trip through the San Juan Islands and Whidbey Island. I attended another production of Leavenworth Summer Theater…Little Women. Next came Midsummer Night’s Dream in Wenatchee, Bell Ringers, and the Village Voices Picnic at Lions Park that was moved indoors due to the smoke.

September began with the County Fair in Cashmere where friends introduced me to funnel cake. I also went to Elder Speak at Snowy Owl. Ann and I took a day trip to Ellensburg and Cle Ulm. Wednesday night children’s ministry at LCN started again. I went to a children’s ministry workshop in Auburn and went to a meeting of the Autoimmune Society in Wenatchee. But the highlight of this month was the 9/11 ceremony held in Cashmere at Spirit of America.

October was a bittersweet month. The leaves were in their glory but it was time for me to prepare to leave. Fond farewells filled the month and I was soon up in the air again headed for Guadalajara via L.A. I had a wonderful time revisiting San Pedro, an area I lived in for almost four years. It was nice to see old friends again, and to sit in the Jardin Hidalgo and stroll down Calle Independencia. Naturally I had to trek out to my favorite place via the Macrobus…..Parque Mirador.

November was an interesting month. Day of the Dead in Tlaquepaque was spectacular. I enjoyed viewing the altars along Juarez as well as visiting the cemetery. Then I was off to Culiacan to spend a week with my family. My grandsons have all grown so much since I last saw them in April.

Next I found myself on a bus headed for San Luis Potosi. I met Bonnie on a Facebook group and decided to check out San Ciro de Acosta. This pueblo is everything she said it would be and more. I had intended to stay for one month, but I am now into my second month. As well as exploring the town itself, I went out to Aquismon with Bonnie and her family for Thanksgiving.

In December I went out to Jalpan, Queratero for the day. This is another of the magical towns here in Mexico and it did not disappoint. I also discovered two museums in Rio Verde. I went with Bonnie up to the chapel of the Virgin of Guadalupe. There was a Christmas Posada at the Club de Leones and then on December 20^th in the evening was the Migrant Parade. Mexicans returning home from working up north came ina caravan from Laredo. They tossed candies to the children and the locals brough tamales and atole to them in their vehicles. There was a huge Christmas posada in the plaza for the children that went on for hours. It began with the traditional procession through the town with Joseph and Mary seeking shelter and culminated with music, games and dancing for all the children. The fare for Christmas Eve was tostadas and ponche along with Christmas movies on Netflix. Connie and I also baked some cookies for the kids.

Adios 2018! It’s been another great year.

I wish all my readers a fantastic 2019 filled with love, peace and good health.

Dec23

Posted on December 23, 2018 by iamkaren23

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I’ve been living in the quaint little town of San Ciro for just over a month now. There is no bank or mall or movie theater here. There isn’t even a restaurant although there are numerous taquerias and loncherias. There isn’t even a bar here. So just what is the big attraction here for me?

I’ve gotten used to living in smaller towns. I’ve spent a fair amount of time in Leavenworth in the past three years. And I prefer the small town life. It was nice to spend the first month back in Mexico this winter in Guadalajara, Mazatlán and Culiacan. But it’s much more tranquil here in San Ciro.

I saunter down to the gordita stand in front of the hotel in the morning and sit down at one of the two tables with the locals. People are friendly and of course are curious about this gringa who really stands out in the crowd. It’s also a great opportunity for me to practice my Spanish. I’ll add that nothing beats a fresh handmade gordita along with a cup of café olla.

My days are mine. There is no agenda. If I’m in the mood, I write. There are no distractions here like in the bigger cities. I’m currently working on a book of fiction as well as a collection of memoirs for my granddaughter. Blog posts have become more of a challenge as I don’t have WiFi in my room at the hotel. I tend to write the posts and then add pics and upload to WordPress when I go down to the office and sit close to the modem.

I go into Rio Verde once a week or so. There are banks there. I discovered two museums there as well as a gorgeous cathedral. I stand at the side of the highway and flag down a collective to make the trip. I find it interesting that many of the other passengers seem to get off in the middle of nowhere along the way. But there are a number of tiny towns tucked away, often a few kilometers off the highway.

Because I have no kitchen facilities in my room, I eat out a lot. What I really enjoy is having food delivered for a mere 25-50 pesos. I have a favorite taqueria that has awesome tortas, gringas and papas locas. There is a place that makes pizza and delicious baguettes. Roasted chicken and hamburgers are also favorites. On my walk last week I found a man who makes Chinese food. All these places deliver with a 5 peso tip to the driver of the bicycle or motorcycle.

Last Sunday I went to the mass at the Catholic Church and to my delight there was a wedding going on. I strolled through the tienguis afterwards, engaging in conversations with various vendors. On Monday I attended a children’s posada at a friend’s taqueria.

Thursday night was quite the interesting celebration featuring the Migrant Parade. Over a hundred vehicles began their trek south from the border at Laredo. These are all Mexicans who work up in the USA and then head back down to Mexico for the Christmas holidays. They throw candy out their windows to the children. The people in the town bring them atole and tamales in return. A band was set up and the mood was quite festive.

On Friday I went into Rio Verde and checked out the tienguis outside the church. There were lots of Christmas items in these stalls and it reminded me of the ones in Centro in Guadalajara. I couldn’t resist the heavenly fresh churros either.

Saturday the plaza in San Ciro was packed with people for a traditional Christmas posada. A crowd of people followed Joseph along with Mary riding a donkey singing the traditional song, stopping along the way to seek shelter, and finally ending at the church. The children batted away at piñatas and then scrambled to collect candies. There were games and prizes for the children. A guesstimate of 1200 children were in attendance. Lots of dancing and music. I left before the food as I’d had my limit of noisy crowds of people and loud music. But it was really an amazing event for such a small town.

I can’t say I’m bored here. As a matter of fact, I’ve now decided that when I move on next month I want to seek out another small town rather than a larger city as I had first anticipated. Small town life appeals to me here. I am experiencing the “real” Mexico and I highly recommend it. I’m glad I made the decision to stay here for Christmas.

Thank you to all my followers for your continued support of my blog. Merry Christmas to all and all the best for an amazing 2019!

Dec19

Posada!

Posted on December 19, 2018 by iamkaren23

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It’s the Christmas season here in San Ciro and that is synonymous with posadas. These happen starting nine days before Christmas Eve.

On Monday night I went to a posada at a taqueria owned by friends. More than twenty kids arrived more than an hour before Santa was scheduled to make his debut. Some of them crowded around inside watching a video of Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer.

And then………….Santa arrived!

He was instantly swarmed with children eager to talk to him as well as to receive candy.

Some of the children were a little apprehensive. They haven’t been exposed to the commercialized Santas in the malls. The nearest large mall to San Ciro is more than three hours away and many of these children have never even been out of San Ciro. A conservative guesstimate is that approximately 75 children were at the posada, many of them walking down the hills and into the town that night to see Santa.

There were tons of photos taken that night, and all the adults present were certainly overwhelmed with emotion as they watched the children visit with Santa. There was even an edible craft for the kids as displayed by Diana.

	iamkaren23 on Tuesday February 24 2026
	Larry Price on Tuesday February 24 2026
	Tyronica Smith on WAY TO GO SEAHAWKS!
	iamkaren23 on WAY TO GO SEAHAWKS!
	Tyronica Smith on WAY TO GO SEAHAWKS!

As I strolled through the mall, I was amused to see that Liverpool was selling Krispy Kreme donuts. I selected a Boston Cream but was disappointed and realized how much I missed Tim Horton’s in Canada.

I walked by ComicX and I recalled fond memories of the one in Mazatlan where I often went with friends. I couldn’t help but snap photos of these lovable characters.

Hours later I found myself back in an Uber headed for home. Along the way we passed a tienguis close to where I was staying. I traded my sandals for track shoes and headed back out.

This tienguis was primarily fruits and vegetables with only a smattering of other items. It was much smaller than the one I used to frequent in Tlaquepaque. I was enchanted by the birds in cages and of course enjoyed the people-watching.

That was my shopping day…….from one extreme to another.

It’s been a busy week. I haven’t had much time for blogging. I’ve been visiting museums and admiring churches. Of course there was an unexpected side trip to Walmart…………

On Saturday I went to the Plaza Tecnologia in search of a new battery for my phone. Oh oh! I couldn’t find one. A building filled with booths and no-one had the one I needed.

On Sunday I was delighted to find a Christian church right around the corner from where I’m staying. A handful of the congregants also spoke English although the service was in Spanish. My Spanish is really getting a workout this winter.

On Monday my destination was Walmart. I was on a mission to buy a new phone. And I did. And I am still playing with it and trying to adapt to all the new features. It’s only been two years since I bought my last phone. Quite amazing how there have been so many changes.

On Tuesday I dropped my laundry off at the lavenderia and discovered a lovely cafe close to where I’m staying. I then went to Centro to explore the Casa de la Cultura. I must admit that the art there was not really to my liking, but it was definitely different.

On Thursday I was back to visiting museums and churches. The museum was dedicated to a famous artist here in Mexico, Jose Guadalupe Posada. The museum is located adjacent to the Templo del Encino, a beautiful church.

Today I enjoyed a wonderful lunch at Loncheria Fer, owned by my friend Fernando. It was leisurely and three hours passed by quickly. Fernando has been a wealth of information about Aguascalientes and his cousin Raul manages the hotel where I’m staying.

I’m staying in tonight and resting up for tomorrow. The planned agenda is two museums and a church. That will put me at the halfway mark for visiting museums in this city.

I can’t help it. I’m a museum addict. At least I have become one since living in Mexico. Guadalajara is still in the lead although Aguascalientes is definitely providing competition for a city of its size.

I’ve been here just over a week and have already visited three museums. My earlier post on Museo Nacional de las Muertes speaks for itself. In this post I will focus on the other two museums I’ve visited.

3 museums down. Only 8 more to go.

Death. A cause for celebration or a time to dread. I guess it depends on your outlook on life. I heard that there was a museum of death here in Aguascalientes and I had to check it out. After all, Dia de las Muertes is one of my favorite experiences here in Mexico.

I was greeted at the door by this lovely skull. It was also a Wednesday so admission was free.

This museum is home to a collection of items pertaining to burial customs, including photographs of the dead. I was directed down a dark, steep flight of stairs into a crypt where I found this creature.

As I wandered through the various rooms, I was amazed at the display of artifacts dealing with death throughout the ages. There are literally hundreds of paintings, sculptures, lithographs and photos. Here is a small sampling:

This museum is definitely a must for any tourist visiting Aguascalientes.

But I am now back in civilization. I am in the beautiful city of Aguascalientes. I haven’t been here a week yet and I am amazed at what this city has to offer. I sincerely hope that I can cram the eleven museums and other interesting landmarks into the month I intend to stay here.

A mere 5 minute walk from where I am staying is Expoplaza, a huge mall currently still under construction. Only a few shops and restaurants are open right now, but I was delighted to find Cinemex open and I enjoyed a movie yesterday afternoon.

Directly in front of the mall is a beautiful park with an abundance of benches and tables. I have decided that when it’s time to color this outdoor venue appeals to me. The park also has an awesome playground for the kids. Just beyond the park is an area designated for roller skating.

As I continue my walk towards Centro, I come across a street that reminds me of Calle Independencia in Tlaquepaque. Lined with restaurants and shops, it is open to pedestrian traffic only. I had a delicious torta and horchata yesterday afternoon for lunch.

Minutes later I arrive at the Templo San Marcos and the Jardin San Marcos. The church was crowded and a quinceanara was taking place. When girls turn fifteen here in Mexico, it is a great cause for celebration.

The Jardin San Marcos has fast become one of my favorite spots here in Aguascalientes. The greenery is spectacular, the music relaxing and the variety of street vendors displaying their wares is most interesting. Food, candy and toys seem to be the most popular ones.

About five minutes past the park and I am in Centro near the Basilica. This afternoon I went to Telcel to renew my plan. Best experience ever! Ten cashiers, no lineup and cashier activated it immediately. So much easier than in Mazatlan.

I then took a ride on the Turbus to acquaint myself with the city. The tour was in Spanish and I understood almost everything the tour guide said. I added a few places to my “to visit” list.

After the tour, I strolled down one of the side streets and came across yet another beautiful church. Across the street from it was a mall called Parian where I sought some air-conditioned relief from the heat outside.

Tomorrow is museum day……

Thursday afternoon, my friends took me out on a drive to the neighboring state of Queretaro. The drive through the mountains was breathtaking and made me homesick for the mountains up north in Washington state.

Our first stop was Arroyo Seco, a town a little larger than San Ciro. The streets were very narrow and within minutes we were at the plaza. The plaza is the hub of the town with tiendas and taco stands surrounding it. Naturally the church is close by.

We headed back to the highway and continued our drive. We soon arrived in the quaint town of Conca. Our first stop here was the church.

Next we drove down to a park area close to the river. I chose to pass on the swimming. I was glad I did as my friends said the water was cold and the fish were nipping at their feet.

Instead I went for a walk and checked out the millenium tree. People tell me it’s hundreds of years old although I was unable to pinpoint the exact age.

I continued my walk for a while.

I wasn’t brave enough to walk across that little log bridge although I did see children running across it. I wonder if I would have done that as a child.

It’s the Christmas season here in San Ciro and that is synonymous with posadas. These happen starting nine days before Christmas Eve.

On Monday night I went to a posada at a taqueria owned by friends. More than twenty kids arrived more than an hour before Santa was scheduled to make his debut. Some of them crowded around inside watching a video of Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer.

And then………….Santa arrived!

He was instantly swarmed with children eager to talk to him as well as to receive candy.

There were tons of photos taken that night, and all the adults present were certainly overwhelmed with emotion as they watched the children visit with Santa. There was even an edible craft for the kids as displayed by Diana.

What a great way to begin the holiday season!