Mexico 2020 - Guanajuato

While planning our Mexico trip Scott discovered a city "nearby" that he said looked cool. He originally told me it was like an hour away. 

I think I said a few hours away, but maybe.

Except when we got our bus tickets it was actually 6 hours. 

Sometimes you need to take a journey for a good adventure. Or something.

We picked up this model bus for Theo at the bus station. Also he's claimed the Frida backpack.

 I was dreading this bus ride until we got on. 

Plus there was only a couple other people on the bus and no one in front of us.

This is my, yup, this ain't going to be so bad face.

Movies, free lunch and reclining chairs. Way better than our plane ride. While in the bus station we saw buses that go to Chicago. That'd be an interesting ride.

It was exciting to see the northern suburbs of Mexico City and beyond.

Meadow watched movies dubbed in Spanish while Theo constantly moved back and forth between our laps.

Most of the trip featured small mountains amidst farms and almost-deserts.

We would drive through some nothingness until this white city showed up.

Queretaro. Apparently this is the most economically booming city in Mexico and still has a well preserved historic center. Maybe next time around.

We had to make a couple stops to pick up and drop off more riders along the way. It was fun to see life in the other cities on our double decker bus.

Each city was very different.

Theo finally fell asleep 15 minutes before we had to get off.

We took a cab to our next airbnb.

It was as cute as the pictures, but was a bit musty.

After reading reviews we learned our airbnb only had one window. It was still really cute.

Unfortunately our entire time in Guanajuato called for rain. That didn't stop us from venturing out.

We had only been in the city for a half hour and we were already loving it.

But it was cold and raining hard. This chicken rotisserie restaurant seemed very inviting.

La Carreta would turn out to be the perfect place to miss out on the worst of the rain.

I like how nearly every meal turns into tacos. You got a whole chicken, a mountain of fresh tortillas, a salad and hot sauce. It was good.

The rain really curled up Theo's hair.

It was Constitution Day week in Mexico, so the city was hopping.

The rain had stopped for a little bit so we did some quick exploring. I was loving all the colors in this city.

This city was built up in the 1500's after the Spanish discovered silver here. That's why it has a very European feel.

If only Duluth had colored houses.

I think the hills are bit steeper here.

We finally got inside some old churches. The Catholic in me loves a good old church.

Brooke and Meadow went inside a small bookstore while Theo and I people watched. 

There was an even more ornate church along the main drag.

It started pouring again so we ducked into a market.

Mercado Hidalgo.

Look at all those hot sauces.

Again, loving all the fresh food everywhere.

It's interesting to see all the Mexican staple foods at every market.

We walked around and picked up some souvenirs.

Apparently the market was designed as a train station, but quickly converted to a market when it opened in 1910.

We continued walking and I spotted this old candy store.

I had to get a few candied fruits. I was most intrigued by the orange candy, rind and all.

Then it started to pour again.

While taking shelter from the rain I noticed we were across from hotel Marina.

The city was still gorgeous.

We hid from the rain again under this tunnel.

The city was teaming with tunnels under buildings, through the mountains and under the city.

Someone asked us if Theo was too cold and then a few minutes later we decided popsicles would be good. We're from the north, it's fine.

We went back to our apartment since the rain didn't look like it was going to stop.

We stopped in a little book shop while we were exploring and Meadow bought a pop up Wizard of Oz book.

The next morning we woke to drizzling rain and headed out for breakfast.

We ended up at Truco 7 near the city's university.

Meadow exclaimed that her pancakes were as good as the cottage pancakes, the kind Grandpa makes.

They were as good as Al's Breakfast.

The steps to the university were under construction.

But there were nearby steps to explore.

It was over here that we spotted a funicular on the hill. We decided to head over that way.

I followed my GPS through the circuitous streets.

We took the short ride on the funicular to catch this amazing view.

Meadow noticed her ticket matched the view.

Worth every minute of that six hour bus ride.

I agree.

At the top of the funicular you'll find al Pepila.

We paid the couple pesos to get a higher view.

Right behind the Mexican war hero.

Meadow didn't want to leave, but we had to let other people enjoy the view.

On the other hand, I wanted out right away. It was claustrophobic.

We had heard about a ballet folklorico and hoped to check it out.

There's one in Mexico City, but the university trains dance students to the classic Mexican ballet. Unfortunately it wasn't going on today.

We meandered through the alleyways instead.

By alleyways she means the streets. They're just really narrow.

I would not drive here.

Or bike.

Don't let her face fool you, Meadow was excited to see a pink and purple house.

Some of the areas were a bit more run down, but then you'd turn a corner and see a perfectly maintained structure.

We had to stop for ice cream again.

Plaza de la Paz was the perfect place to enjoy the ice cream.

We ran back to our apartment for a diaper change and bathroom break.

Then back out into the city we went.

This cute alley took you to the Callejon del Beso.

Which is a famous alley where lovers kiss. We're old and have kids, so fun was had.

I sneaked us down to the lower level of the city. Of course I was checking on my GPS again.

Across the sunken street and we were back up in the center of town.

We walked through the market looking for tamales. I didn't realize tamales were a regional thing.

We took a break at Plaza de la Alhondiga after not finding the tamale truck that was supposed to be here. The kids loved the big open space and stairs.

Theo and Meadow ran around chasing birds.

We decided on tacos at El Paisa I. It cost us something like $5 American for the entire family.

...For like 12 tacos.

And drinks.

Plus they had a shrine. 

The weather had cleared up, but we didn't really have any plans.

We meandered for a while until deciding to turn around.

I suggested we visit the Museo de las Momias.

Can you see the striking resemblance to Coco? 

This city was the inspiration for the land of the dead in the movie.

It was a long walk up the hill to the museum.

Passed more than a few stray dogs.

I spotted my old car on our walk. Bra and all.

Only they sold them as Chevy's down here.

No photos in the museum, but it was definitely interesting.

I was a little spooked. Meadow was very brave.

We walked down to El Cantador Garden. The parks in Mexico were beautiful.

Then the sun came out and the rain held off.

I had to walk down the Callejon del Beso quick when no other tourists were there.

 I really wish I would've gotten this Packers beer helmet.

Meadow then found this flower crown in a cute little shop.

It seemed like during our stay here we had been retiring to home early. Since the weather was bad the day before we went out at night.

I carried little dude for the first time. Brooke's tougher than me.

Diego Riveria grew up in this city. You could visit his house but we missed it. I just wanted to see where it was.

The city really comes alive at night.

Every few blocks you'd run into another plaza. They don't build cities like this anymore.

We found a pizza by the slice place for Meadow.

Brooke and I had other plans.

This guy was selling tamales for only 13 pesos.

It turns out tamales do show up, just randomly.

We've noticed that all the crepe and waffle restaurants are only open at night.

They are really just dessert in France.

A smoothie for the kids.

I loved walking around and people watching.

We turned the corner and spotted a restaurant called Theo. So of course we had to take a photo.

You can go on historic night tours where the guides break out in songs.

They also perform near the city's main theater.

I finally found something to buy.  A coaster.

All the shops stay open late too.

Reviews for our airbnb all talked about a great enchilada restaurant near our place, Enchiladas de Lupe. It's a tiny restaurant and this is the only thing on the menu. This was by far our favorite meal.

Miners enchiladas with or without pollo. Never had anything like it back in the states. Savory, not spicy. Really only had one spicy meal in all our stops. That's what the salsas are for.

The next morning we had to get out of dodge and back to CDMX. I wouldn't have minded staying one more day in Guanajuato.

Bye stinky, but cute airbnb.

I highly recommend coming here.

I agree. I hope to come back here someday.

It was raining again, so I guess it was an OK day to leave.

We stopped at a bakery to get a quick bite to eat before getting our taxi.

At the bus station we waited in the main terminal.

Theo was mad when his ride stopped.

Then we waited in the VIP section for our bus to arrive and take us back to Mexico City.

Go to Gunajuato. Take the ETN Turistar. Eat the miner's echiladas. You won't regret it.