Cannibal Dada Manifesto

[4 / 6] Queretaro

Our day started very early as 0800 hours we had everything in the truck and were ready to go. We take a coffee, yet again abusing the hospitality Maria Jose, aka "The fine" and Jesus, quickly planned trip to Queretaro route (there are only two possibilities via San Juan del Rio or another road that promised to be faster).

still clad in pajamas, under the fine farewell to us, gave us a chance to hug him and thank him for his hospitality, with the threat that if neglected, would return someday.

We went to the path is not known and it promised to be short. Great success, we arrived in about 35 or 40 minutes to Queretaro and then follow, with some problems, the ads to reach the bus terminal, a synchronization messages and met Isa and John. Even had we parked, as they arrived fifteen minutes before the scheduled time, just like us.

One big happy family

With truck full and all your seatbelt begin the journey of the city. Of course, first I got lost and we were about to leave Querétaro when we realized the mistake and after a chilangazo "I do not think that was the first trip, but the most grotesque: U-turn in a where not only seemed to be forbidden, but it put me in the opposite direction a few times, we set out to center. :-P

Ten minutes later we were parking the car at the third level of underground parking for one of the main squares of the Constitution. Back

recognition, Isabel served as a guide because he had recently been working in Queretaro. We found a little place in the main square for breakfast, medium full breakfast, so much as to forget what we ask.

We toured the streets and pedestrian walkways in the center and returned to Cheyenne to take us to the hotel to let things definitely park for the day and begin the intense journey than we thought.

Extreme sports

The first thing we noticed is that our hotel was about three to five blocks from downtown, depending on what you mean of the center, which is not much, but at the end of the day turned into something meaningful. Move slowly along the narrow sidewalks of the center, chasing shadows, which was becoming more difficult as it was near noon. So the group looked at first, here we had just visited a museum, the Restoration, which like most museums here: is poor and not very worthwhile. We are sitting in the garden fountain Guerrero.



Shortly after the move garden toward the back where that to which the guide was holding referred to as "luxurious monastery erected by the calling of a young woman." We refer to the temple of Santa Clara, if you're single on the outside and in front of which, by going to admire the facade (ie drooling), I nearly killed when one step to the floor I was robbed.

not so much that I had stolen the floor, as it was a step that I saw and did a sexy move to avoid falling hombreelefantebailandolambada type.

Finally, the convent seemed luxurious and flamboyant Baroque style too. In general the Catholic Church takes me hives, but when it's that "abundant" and grotesque, a little more. :-P

Imagine the entire group by gathering around a tiny map. Added to a local gentleman kind enough to photograph and what they get is a scene that grew into daily: - What do they want? - Nothing, just looking at the map we are here to see what seems to us to know - Ahhhh, do not forget to go to such and such and such a place, if you want to eat go to those gorditas over there (pointing to a local on Guerrero Street, where they made gorditas typical street Queretaro) - Well thank you very much, bye - bye.

Obviously, chilanga mind accustomed to the bad life because people are always behind one because "something like" or "I want to do harm" immediately made those theories flowing: "sure this is the gift that stall owner gorditas," it makes me want to go over there because we'll be waiting with his band of 'kidnappers' and as we are so cute want abducted and sold in Europe "or" a certain English king needs a kidney and does not conform with any kidney, like a good one ... "And so on.

In fact, the conclusions are: (1) there are many kind people in Queretaro: Good for you! Thank you very much for everything and (2) safe these plump were delicious and although I voted for going to eat immediately, other majoritarian me with the argument is that I have not hungry, eat just a few hours ago ... We later. Of course, never returned to the gorditas.

If I were slightly more sensitive, the failure to prove the best gorditas in the region was enough to embitter the rest of my days. Luckily, I am a rock. Jiji.

then visited the Cathedral (outside because it was closed), the Zenea Garden, the Museum of the City (outside, because Isa said it was worth), the walker May 5: the mansions, the Plaza Armas, Plaza of the Founders, the Convent of Santa Cruz, El Mirador and Aqueduct (from afar), the Pantheon of Illustrious and Queretaro ... after a couple of breaks where we complained about the heat, scorching sun stupid, that his feet were swollen, heat melted some of us, we visit the baroque courtyard, where we were forbidden to take photographs.

returned to one of the central squares, worn (except me).

Now if we eat something? I asked for the umpteenth time and, as usual, this time I said yes, but not plump, and we decided that we would eat at the Casona de los Cinco Patios .... So there we ate and he was rich, though the service, as in any other place here is a bit slow. What is good and bad (service) is that they serve you food and beverages as "out of the kitchen / bar, is good, because you do not bring your cold food, bad because you have to eat in front of those without your plate yet, as my mom is like counting money in front of the poor. "



And the rooftop?

To this point the observant reader may be wondering what the rooftops? Why Querétaro title at the roof? And the answer is because we try, then revive in the food, walk five recommended by the magazine roofs peek (Online), something like an alternative Queretaro ...

The first and most bizarre was the third floor of a parking lot at Pino Suárez (between Guerrero and Allende), if the domes were silent Santo Domingo, San Agustín and Santa Clara .... only that it was very sad.

The second was located in a small terrace on the second floor of City Museum, but as we were not willing to visit the museum, we were on the roof. :)

The third was a belvedere in a colonial house now a museum, the Museum of Zacatecas. Originally we had passed through here on our way to the lookout and had decided not to go ... But we were and it still there, sounded interesting and we agreed to pay $ 31 pesos entrance fee ... it was nearly 18:00, so the first guide met us at the ground floor, was bitten play a DVD that talked the museum's history (private) and then took us through the first room at a rate his explanation was hilarious .... The museum, incidentally, contains a huge collection of antiques, even for someone who does not like antiques and your server, it is worthy of admiration, good condition, good taste, well combined and armed the different rooms and, except crappy so the "legend of the Zacatecas", this was without certainly the best museum we saw in Querétaro by far.

The viewpoint of the museum house of Zacatecas: mmmmm if it exists, but the view is as poor as the view from the third floor of the garage, only here with the aggravating factor that must be seen through glass scratched. To say the least convincing: it is a spectacle of hanging clothes and rooftop water tanks to Rotoplas throughout the City.

was only two, the fourth-floor roof in the restaurant-bar Apolonia, so there we went to one of the most colorful and beautiful walkways in the city. At this stage of course, the forces were weak and when we received a "Young Oh no, now we do not open the bar ... only the restaurant (which is on the ground floor) "were about to surrender. After that neither wanted. : '(

We had already decided (almost) throw away the idea of \u200b\u200bthe roof and call it a bad joke.

However, we paused along the way to go to a typical place in the middle to make snow ice cream with wine red: Gadi May 5, where the street becomes a walker. Yum, yum, highly recommended the ice cream (vanilla ice cream with nuts) and red wine.

Let the hotel and finish the day, was the consensus. Except that the fifth and final roof, we had to pass: the rooftop bar of Hotel Meson de Aspeytia .... Wow! Well say no hay quinto malo and here was no less true: the atmosphere: tables and candle-lit rooms, the city lights came on right at that moment and now I do: the domes of the temples looked majestic. I leave you with these pictures he took Nuri, who lost a couple of hours while doing the deed:

Daughters Must Wear Girdle

rooftop [3 / 6] Museum of Death, San Juan del Rio and more Tequis

To continue the adventure we decided to "take her mild" and try to visit some of the things near Tequisquiapan to this day. The main reason is that on Wednesday we visit Queretaro, after gathering in the bus station John and Isa and Thursday through Saturday we Jalpan to visit the surroundings of the Sierra Gorda. So expect heavy days and we want to conserve energy.

So, the plan for the day is: San Juan del Rio, breakfast, visit the town and the museum of death and then "we'll see." Although half geek, would do more evaluation of how lazy the rest of the day would decide at run time.

San Juan del Rio

Although not as nice as Tequisquiapan, the center of San Juan del Rio we liked: Clean, good color and feel a pleasant atmosphere. A Tequis unlike, for example, it is clear that the town is less touristy, as restaurants and souvenir shops or typical tourist traps are replaced by shoe stores, sales of chatter, furniture and the like where the market is the majority of San Juan .

First things first, we looked for a place to have breakfast, which took us Marion language, about two seconds (.2 seconds) and we opted for the parish, which has nothing to do with the Veracruz, even if it has I would say that does justice: very decent breakfast: sanjuanense (tamales with sauce dish), pattern (enfrijoladas) and diet (fruit), our choice, respectively, that rolamos as good chilangos, to enjoy all ... except the diet: we will not go to San Juan to eat fruit, do you?

already with a full stomach, we took a ride in a regular sun (about 28 degrees Celsius) over several blocks, we met with the local tourist office, we reviewed the many flyers and then to convince us that there is nothing better uphold the initial decision to visit the museum of death. So we asked for directions ... The friendly woman at the tourist office, said, "is not far, it can walk. Pa'lla just have to go a few blocks, then turn a source right, go up that road until it meets wall, see the Trinity Church and the museum is behind "... Sounds easy, come on!.

"The" museum of death

Supposedly something decent, we were fairly excited because we saw numerous references in banners throughout the town, appears in every tourist guide in Queretaro, in short, we were happy walking trying to follow the instructions that worked to the source, after that ... Not so much. The street after the fountain was exactly one block and emptied into a big street, which left us with two options go to left or right, we went to the right as it looked "decent."

We reached the right street, we are moving in the direction indicated, and after a couple of streets without a church, we ask ... "Ahhh, here it is, but look: it returns to whence it came, after a couple of streets, and that gives parriba Vaver the church and here is the museum." Okay, come on, we were wrong, back where we came, we moved two streets (which would be left after the first street) and went up there.

already for this, our courage and willingness to see the museum began to falter, the street in question seemed Lost City, half ugly, graffiti, some guys balls that were silent as we passed in front of them and we just watched. Met a woman half a block away and asked: Excuse me, for the museum of death ... "Follow him as one block and you will see some stairs on the left, up and there is," he interrupted. Fiu, what a relief! It's ugly, but we are close, so with renewed spirits and we continue to advance the steps.

- Really going to get? - If nothing happens, I said, thinking: I hope you have conditioned these stairs in a zig zag, so you started to feel the fear of death: a prelude to the museum. Think of the steps of 'The Exorcist', the first, but instead of five meters wide, about two, instead of stone, concrete painted blood red instead of one, three segments in Z, such a way that you could only see one third of the way up to start one of the segments. Image complemented the smell, all the intermediate segment, which was not visible from above (the last segment) or below (first segment) smelled of urine (human).

already walking and the sun had made some havoc on our physical condition, but went up those stairs in record time, I'm sure. On the left a street that did not look as bad as the previous or the stairs and just ten meters the entrance to the museum. Ta

RAN!

A woman who was disguised as Catrina, but it looked like they had just eaten one (catrina) or two, we said that it was free access to the museum, but you had to register in the folder you noted. I, kind as always, me and wrote my name forward and we were three. Then the woman told us that's the main room, you can read a guide or talk to them, all turned around in unison to see the room and then back to the woman and said, "we read, thanks." The main room was smaller than that of TV in my house.

Well, maybe it was a little larger, but not much. Skeletons in star-shaped, with a two-paragraph explanation so used to bury their dead the inhabitants of the region. Chichimecas drawings of poor quality relative to death, paintings of dubious origin and quality, some 100 years ago obituaries equally poor. After the main room in the roof of the church, a number of gravestones accommodated at random, a couple of rooms with lousy crypts and now. Probably the worst

museum you've visited in a long time ... like a lifetime. :-)

Crafts and food Tequisquiapan

Tequisquiapan decided to return to see the day center and visit the craft market and the like. On the way we were a couple of places that a tourist guide in Queretaro marked as natural attractions, but with the same size (three possible middle): The Coal Mine, which we were told that was not very pretty Centennial Dam, so we decided to stop at the dam.

saw a sign on the road that had a picture of prey and arrow to the right, but no leakage, so a little later and when we could see the dam we turned, we entered a dirt road, we came very close The entire saw, but could not access it. Convinced that what we was seen "all", return to Cheyenne and went to Tequis.

In Tequis again, but even in daylight, it was 13:00 pm, took the opportunity to visit the craft market, which is nice and seems to have good quality stuff, then sat down to eat at the 'Museum of stay and wine ', which is sponsored by VAI and Freixenet cheeses, delicious paella, red wine and a "tile" of cheese ... Rest a while, chatted happily and spend a wonderful time. These are holidays.



Before embarking on the return home of the Fine and Jesus, we went past Tepoz snows, which are in the middle market Craft ... I lost my way back, but after a couple of laps, we orient ourselves and only lost about 10 minutes. :-)

Arm

Pattycake Online Zips Forum

[2 / 6] Green Gem, archeology and caves

plans is a challenge especially when you've had a day of wine, beer, cheese and more wine. :-) However, we do it ... Between Fer obsessive attitude and intensity of Nuria, many maps, a laptop, a coffee each and already the plan for Monday, two greenhouses of cacti in Cadereyta de Montes, the caves of Los Herrera and archaeological areas Toluquilla frogs and in the municipalities of San Joaquin and Cadereyta.

will start early and try to visit first the farthest, probably the archaeological site of frogs. Then I talk to them as we went.

About 24 hours after

From the farthest to the closest, that was a good idea of \u200b\u200bthe day, we headed to San Joaquin, according to one of the guides was a journey that would take us 2:15 hours. An hour later, we find the road to San Joaquin, only 35 miles separated us from our destination, passing the farthest village ruins, those of the Frogs about three miles ahead. We were amazed at the agility of Fer-driving and we congratulated ourselves that she had been the designated driver of the outward journey, return I was up to me.

course, as in life, on the road do not count your chickens before. The 38 miles we were already missing through hills in the Sierra Gorda and although the road was in good condition, we realized that's where one missed the other time for travel: curve, after curve, some listed on the road with the typical curved arrow to the left or right, as others with an S and flat, others with an arrow at right angles. The visual spectacle was well worth it, the penalty was driving Fer I mean, because Nuri and the server was quite pleasant ... visibility and a fully lined hills of green and brown as one would find in autumn maple trees in Canada.

Coming to San Joaquin, the idea was to have breakfast before going to the first ruins. We quickly found a tourist map at the entrance, with some sites of interest and most importantly a list of restaurants. Two of these were in visual distance and 50 meters distance from the map in question. To this point we felt gringo tourists in tiny bikini with lush bodies, by the way everyone looked at us tenants. Of course, it should be noted that the thermometer indicated that Cheyenne was eight degrees and we were in shorts, t-shirts and sunglasses.
returned
the van for pants and jackets and move to the first restaurant. We entered, were beginning operations and apparently the owners / managers were having breakfast ... Imagine you, dear reader, we were invisible, Mr. (a couple of fat and ugly) even turned to see us, we are not invited to go, gave us not even a hello or a "closed", nothing. So we told them useless and we went to the next restaurant. The second place was called Citlali and that two ladies in the kitchen and a young woman played punchy title to the most helpful and friendly. The thing was more or less like this:

- Good morning, how we can offer some breakfast? Already open?
- If you, enjoy it, please. What do you want?
- What is it?
- For what we want ... How do you want?
- Well, to start something warm ...
- Coffee?
- Yes, please!
- pass it, enjoy it ... "And some eggs or a typical enchiladas?
- Yes, you go faster ...
- No, because what you want.
- For enchiladas, please.
- While sit and here's your coffee and we leave these rolls ...

And yes, when I have cool nicknames tend to talk to, sorry.

A basket of bread sweet, fresh and rich, accompanied our coffee pot (half of the pot, it was not sweetened with brown sugar), arrived a few minutes after the enchiladas that were a spicy, but with black beans, refried beans and delicious, accompanied them were the perfect breakfast.

already dressed in pants, jackets and a breakfast to support two days, we climbed into the truck and move the rest of the town and three kilometers of curves to the Frogs.

frogs, Herrera and Toluquilla Why

called Frogs have no idea, that does not explain it anywhere. Toluquilla, however, it is because Hill is half hunchback and that's how you say razorback hill Hispanic language already forgot what it is. No name is so important, what is interesting is that both sites are "well" preserved, although not completely explored and explained: it is not known how cultures lived there in three and one were found in the other four ball games and were important because they revolve around the other buildings.

constructions, of course, model, and accompany the mountains that sustain or, rather, that contain them. Offering spectacular views of all creeks and points of entry and exit to the respective areas and can appreciate more hundred buildings at each site. Although the pyramids themselves and major buildings and Toluquilla Frogs are not huge, like the pyramids of Teotihuacan and Chichen Itza, to understand these pyramids as extensions of the mountains and enjoy the view, look majestic and imposing.

are not the typical tourist site, I came to this conclusion when I noticed we were the only visiting the ruins and over the last three days (including a Saturday and Sunday) no more than a dozen people appeared in the records to visit each site. $ 31 cost of access and very friendly staff INAH.

Toluquilla is more over here, which here means Querétaro (DF), and not in San Joaquin, but north of the town of Cadereyta. So before going to Toluquilla, we went through the caves Los Herrera, if you are just a few meters outside of San Joaquin.

The caves of Los Herrera offer an impressive run, but brief, in 30 minutes you can visit the public part of the cave, which has an infrastructure that facilitates access: stairs, artificial lighting, hand rails and even comes with a guide " volunteers "who will talk about the cave and ask you between 200 and 300 pesos. By the way, if the days would work better paid in the history of humanity, because they do nothing and then they're lighting a pile of rocks and formations in the cave and explain "what they seem": from a chicken to a crocodile, a lion passing chimuelo, a king and prepared, the Roman Empire. "Depth, age, type of sediment or any other details really interesting about the caves? No, these do not handle them.

The tourist part of the caves Los Herrera take you about 50 meters underground in fanciful constructions very impressive. If it came to San Joaquin, worth seeing.

If spelunking is your thing, you have equipment and know what you do, these are the caves for you. The non-touristy part of the cave has a distance of 1.2 km and 300 meters deep, but is accessible only with permission and for professionals. Or so they said. Cacti

on Fifth Schmoll

continue the descent, 45 minutes down the hill and about 30 minutes back on Highway 120, San Juan del Rio - Xilitla, to San Juan. Before leaving the town of Cadereyta find the signs for the Fifth Schmoll and Regional Botanic Garden, just visit the first, which preserve and grow hundreds of cacti from the American and African continents.

The visit is interesting, brief and, like the caves, if it 're in the area, definitely worth it. The people who will show and explain the greenhouse for cacti and succulents, as well as friendly, it shows they know their business and are committed to the development and conservation of the species they support.

There is not much to do around here, we recommend an inn, which got a relatively good run food quality and taste.

returned to Tequisquiapan with a pleasant taste, somewhat exhausted, so I rested a while and at night we went to dinner at Tequis center, the only restaurant recommended by Lonely Planet Mexico, K-Puccino, but opinion of your humble servant, there is a much better places to eat, without using the K points is not bad, including some that are obvious tourist traps.

Abortion Center Upper Michigan

[1 / 6] Tequisquiapan: between cheese and wine wedding speeches

Some would say it is typical to find me between wines, though some cheeses that are not so far from my heart. The unusual, no doubt, is that all this happens in Queretaro land and not in my cave and more typical of what I call home: the South Federal District. They are right, it is atypical, but become more accustomed as I have discovered a new me, one who likes to travel and do things always in the most unexpected places and moments.

This time, adventure cheese and wine or 'Querétaro wine' as they call themselves, came to the pleasant company of Fer and Nuri white, more or less on the weekend that marks the beginning of Holy Week (March 28 .) The date is even more rare that the company or place: for many, many years, I've been a fervent promoter of "enjoy" the City, as people leave it in search of beach and sun. The sad thing is that, in recent years, the District feels so ugly or more during the holy week, than during any other.

La Huasteca (or not)

Thus, at this time we decided to do something during the Easter holidays. The initial option was to visit the Huasteca San Luis Potosi, mainly Xilitla. Unfortunately, we decided this too late and when we receive confirmation of the friends who accompany us and try to make reservations, all full. None in the group knew that San Luis Potosi is home to a religious event, throughout the state, called the "procession of silence 'and involving people from throughout the country, so nothing to do.

Querétaro What?

We've all been at one time or another, have spent many times on our way to other places, sounds interesting and would certainly not be as full as San Luis Potosi or common beaches. We referred to Queretaro, of course. So we started planning this espresso and is the first report on our adventures Queretaro.



The adventure will have several key points: Tequisquiapan, Santiago de Querétaro and Jalpan. The first four days were spent in Tequis with Nuri's Friends: Fina and Jesus, together with their children Elizabeth and Galo, opened the doors of their beautiful home in the Golf Club and made us victims of an unusual hospitality and always welcome. From standby in a restaurant at the entrance of town to eat goat and avoid being cut off, besides the constant smiles, coffee and pleasant conversation. By the way, the kid was delicious.

Village Tequis

The first day or rather, the first night, the same Tequis Saturday we went downtown to walk, hear the Church, the central plaza, the office of tourism, invitation to tour with legends (which decided not to attend, it is a fad that although it shows some of the architecture of the peoples of Mexico, is a bit over-valued and is not as interesting) and got several brochures and guides things go around and help plan our next few days.

ended taking a bottle of wine and Mexican cheeses, the first of Freixenet a quiet Gran Reserva red wine very decent and second VAI mixture of cheeses, all made in Queretaro. All this in the Freixenet Wine Bar, in addition to good service and a friendly atmosphere, is in an alley a few yards from the main square, very cute.


Enoturismo

Although we thought peoples to our ease in Queretaro, we find the recommendation to take a tour to visit some of the major vineyards in the municipality of Ezequiel Montes, and a cheese and Peña de Bernal. Drinking wine and driving did not sound like a good idea, so we decided to book our place to attend the tour the next day.

At 8:30 on Sunday we arrived at the venue and our guide, friendly and efficient happened to pick up the other two participants of the visit and departed for VAI Cheese, where we saw a couple of Holstein cows that are display sample of more than 120 heads of cattle used to produce milk cheeses. A humorous tour of the process of creating different types of cheese and a cheese tasting.

From there, we went to the Peña de Bernal, climbed to the base of the rock, and toured the lovely village center of magic, which is as picturesque as Tequisquiapan but not so large. We ate a vanilla ice cream in the central plaza, we were unable to appear at the church and it was 'Palm Sunday' and there were more people in line to enter the church to complete the square. Before leaving we sat down to eat some corn gorditas (black and white) chili cheese filling and served with a stew of your choice, my favorite was picadil and rich beer. A while later we left Cavas Freixenet.

Las Cavas Freixenet were fuller than the church in Bernal and although the visit itself is interesting, as have all the machining show that takes away some points. Do not get me wrong, those are very impressive and Cavas Freixenet Mexico produces many wines, still and sparkling wine of great quality and in huge quantities, which is worthy of admiration and me is excellent. My only complaint is that it feels a big bank deal, like you're a number, like you're watching a museum, rather than a winery. Still, we tasted a wine rich pink semi-dry champagne, which costs $ 90.00 and he was rich.

The visit had been increasing and this point we just a place, the vineyards The Round .. with a craft production (ie less than 30,000 bottles per year) and I must admit I did not know any wine from this vineyard and let me taste the best all day: not only because their wines are very rich, but because the visit was significant, personal, first tasting, where a well prepared and kind woman invited us to try almost all wines, sparkling wine, semi-sweet (cava and quiet), white and red.

Second, a gentleman who clearly knew their vineyards (50 hectares), he knew all the tricks, explained details of planting the vine, their care, pest control (bacteria, fungi, etc.). and other major pests such as rats and other mammals, irrigation, its production, its goals, its philosophy, in order ... a true connoisseur of the land, the vineyard and also seemed genuinely interested in join the followers of Mexican wine and vineyard in particular. I really won.

Still another friend gave us a visit, part of the winemaking process, although here we do not go to their caves, but it was also instructive and helpful. My overall rating for La Redonda is a resounding ten, I think they are doing a great job and his vineyard is interesting and very friendly: they have an Italian restaurant (including a pizza oven exposed to wood) that looks great, although we could not stay and eat there.

The Best Type Of Straight Weave

few months ago, after agreeing with our dear friends Lisa and Arthur (Agri & Vaz) we would be groomsmen, I was politely informed that I had to prepare a speech for the event.

I have no idea how it should be a wedding speech, because the only ones (speeches) I lived were drunk dads talking about their daughters quinceañeras like complete strangers: no staff, no depth in the messages, you almost a vile farewell warning children and who are ready for marriage or what follows. Other examples come from movies and I confess that most very mellow.

Of course, I did nothing about it until I had the above date. It was the last week before the wedding and not to vary, all are complicated and I was very tight time for happy talk. Fer

helped me with several links that explain what should and should not contain speech. Agri I had already given a precise time span (about 7 minutes) and, if the wedding program should be changed, that is not my fault, I thought.

With the given conditions, I sat, I assembled a list of objectives to cover the speech, for the first couple and the families and friends who accompanied us, second. The original idea was a nice story or anecdote, followed by a conclusion with something funny and heartbreaking and profound.

course between the original idea and what was left, no relationship. :-P

usually read before a congregation does not seem a good idea, so I wrote about what she meant, thinking more in public, here for example, that in reading it. In the event the plan was to improvise on the stories I wanted to tell, but I could not ... After watching the first reactions of my friend, I lost concentration and I turned to read as follows: Introduction



Thanks to the Judge,
Thanks to the couple Lilian and Arthur for giving me this opportunity,
Thanks to his parents who are with us today, and
Thank you all for being here.

not steal them a long time, make a brief introduction, then mention (three) short stories and conclude with a toast, [the public eye ... my cup does not exist], forget the toast (no alcohol).

The story of Arthur and me as friends, dates back almost three decades ago, in college and, although we were never classmates, Arturo eventually became my little grasshopper or rather, I became his mentor small . :-)

For almost fifteen years, we shared many experiences: work together on various projects, we organized and went to countless parties, we travel, we made a podcast and even lived together for several years.


Stories
why I'm here and now is the time to tell you some stories LiiL and Vaz, who probably do not know. So pay attention:

of the generosity of Vaz
In December 2007, some "friends" came to visit with Vaz, the then briefly met were on their way to Oaxaca ... a few days later, in January 2008, we had just Vaz moved in together and I casually asked me "Hey, do not you care if my friends are staying home a few days? "What friends? I asked .... Ahhh --- the blondes who met two weeks ago. Sure, no problem, they stay.

I first met, I fell very well, we had dinner a couple of times and talked about politics and a lot of things. Days after the friends returned to their country of origin, Vaz asked, where did these friends, how you met? --- Do not know, I was asked to stay home through the network. (Toing!)

And so I met the world of coachsurfing that is beside the point, but is an alternative form of tourism. Several years later and more than 40 visitors from various countries who have stayed with us have become good friends, some of them have joined us this afternoon ...

This allowed me to better appreciate the generosity of Vaz, my brother, my friend.

half orange and puzzles
Our favorite sport has always been during: complaining about everything and "fix" the world, to say how things should be done. That's probably why I took time to recognize that something was missing from Vaz, it was incomplete.

all happened at a party at our house, the idea was to meet there, have a drink and then find the perfect place to party to celebrate Mexican night .... was September 2008 ... We all waited impatiently Lilian Tellez who was visiting the city and that had us enthralled with his bittersweet stories on the Internet.

While we waited for the rest of our friends, the holiday was extended, the total was fun and we ended up singing in the chorus tune in the history of mankind [Warning: this is a guilty pleasure] Shakira songs ... Well, Lilian and Arthur sang, as I disapproved of his eyes and served another round.

:-) This is the perfect image: Vaz and Agri: together, singing, having fun ...

Just then, the pieces of the puzzle fell into place, Lilian and Arthur complement each other perfectly and together they are the ideal unit.

of sandwiches and quesadillas
Months after this event, I remember like it was yesterday, I received an intriguing email from Arthur saying: "Dude, We Need to talk", so I wrote back and Make an appointment: - why do not you come? I asked - Okay, what time suits you? He replied. - Now it's OK, I answered. Vaz then left her room, walked two steps and came to mine, note that we shared apartment at the time, sat
my bed and told me with some problems I was in love and wanted to marry Lisa, but was concerned about "me" who would care for me, who I would quesadillas or sandwiches for dinner, ...

Of course, I became strong for the sake of the two [remember that, although not noticed, I am the eldest], so I told her not to worry that "I understood" that had me and I was happy, which is totally true and I am convinced that Lilian is the best thing that ever happened to Vaz.

realized then that the friendship and unconditional love Vaz was the best thing that had happened so far. And when I needed it, was always there to support me .... You have not an idea, the drama queen I can be.

all the time I realized that I was the learner and not the teacher.

In fact, Lilian Vaz and took several months to plan everything: his departure from the beautiful city of Guadalajara, get an apartment and organizing this wedding. The curious fact, you probably do not know, is still making me sandwiches and quesadillas for dinner, only now we do not live together, we're neighbors!

Happy ending

Finally, because everyone here follow a strict program of activities, right Lisa?

I want to comment on two things:

The first is that although I am a skeptic perfect and only believe in science, I am convinced that Lilian and Vaz found love at first sight and that his story is worthy of film, full of challenges and complicated situations that met with courage and dignity. If you believe that there is Cupid, I would say that his arrow hit the target.

The second and last thing I want to say is, Lilian, Arturo: I wish them well and that your life is full of adventure, stories of love and happiness. Thanks



[A regular chick flick]

Does Jcpenney Do Blue Extensions

Juxtlahuaca Caves: a journey through the darkness

A trip to the dark
by Francisco Solsona

We can not allow escape was the only thought that we shared, "we can not afford!" I repeated over and over again. The talks are typical of previous stories, some nervous laughter and, while some chose routes that would take the rest of lamps and backpacks we looked back, do I have everything you need? Have I forgotten something important? The hardest part is waiting uncomfortable.

Movement in the center of the team, Gordo , our leader and direct descendant of the Goat was giving instructions and explaining the risks and problems to be encountered. Two teams, was his first statement, first enter through the door and pointed his index to an opening rather than an entry wound was on the mountain. To his left was a member of its exploration team and she was appointed a group leader, to come so, affectionately , Gordo drew tourist route. Asked for volunteers, about ten accepted the challenge.

instructed Looking Angel, his partner and longtime friend, to head the second group, which enter through hole, my team. El Gordo silently revised each of which would have to go through the hole, there was reproach in his eyes, seemed to say "very quiet", "not resist", but said nothing and a minute later was walking and taking the last instructions to the group leaders. The two teams split up and headed to our respective points of access to the caves.

It was 00:30 pm on Sunday, Juxtlahuaca seemed to know that a battle was coming, the air increased his strength and hit us in the face and body. We walked about 50 yards to the hole and slowly but surely started the descent.

starry night Goodbye

El Gordo slowly climbed the rope that minutes earlier had used to download and wished us luck. He would stay outside, standing guard. As the rope disappeared into the hole, he recalled the recommendations of Rebecca, who went with the first group, "remember that you will return to the same place, so it can not be separated, no turning back!". A small shiver ran down my back, but could not allow others to notice. We are a team, no one is left behind, nobody.

powerful Angel lit two lamps, one would take himself to the top of the group and the second, in the hands of Arthur, in the rear, at most three people behind the second lamp. We all had personal lamps, but did not have enough power to start the shadows in the huge and spectacular camera that we should go.

Guano, confirmation that we were in the right place, the influence of the different species of bats that inhabit the caves of Juxtlahuaca and were, most of them out looking for food. Three species, the larger ones, occupy nearest cameras to the inputs and despite their appearance, feeding on fruits. The fourth and final species, the vampire, are more sensitive to light and prefer inner tubes. Fortunately, these vampires were out bleeding the local livestock. Fast forward these sections, with its strong, unpleasant aroma of the guano managed to drive off with just a glance at the huge columns, stalagmites and stalactites full of black stains left by bats. Swarms of mosquitoes and other insects marked the first meters of our slow progress through the caves.

Gradually, the smell subsided, and the flies and the majority of small insects and were replaced by an indescribably beautiful, whimsical formations that leaks of water with its load of minerals has created over thousands of years. Accompanied us now, vigilantes, immune to light our lamps, hundreds of cockroaches. In two states, are round and the first two centimeters in diameter and unable to fly, however, extend and evolve when measuring an average of 10 centimeters. These cockroaches feed on bat guano.

The mood of the group was in constant increase, the road was difficult and tortuous, but we discovered one by one the cameras, spectacular formations, samples of our ancestors, the Olmec culture, even we find some marks left by the Goat in his explorations of the mid-nineteenth century and which we used as a guide and food for the spirit. There were times, I confess, that I did not think we could do it, but there was always a pat on my back and a voice of encouragement, we are together, let's do it!

So move for about an hour to get to our first serious obstacle: getting of the screen, a small camera that seemed at first glance to be a dead end, but actually had a small opening at ground level, which had to go as a contortionist, face up and go five feet to the next chamber of the caves. The journey continued, until the second obstacle, the step the worm, which had to crawl, chest on the ground, about five meters. The reward after each obstacle was to find more natural beauties, each more amazing than the last.

Some cameras have a few dozen square meters and a handful of stalactites and stalagmites, while others had hundreds and gigantic columns linking the floor and ceiling, about twenty feet and that they seemed to hold it.

The three-hour tour so far, but did not prepare for the third step, step of trouble, a narrow cleft between rocks that seemed like an eye and that we should scroll up about four meters at an angle of 60 degrees. It was not only a physical test where all muscles, including some you never knew were there, but also a test of wit and self-control, because the opening did not exceed 60 centimeters wide and 40 high, in narrower sections, so we had to maneuver in tight spaces reduced to find support for your feet and hands and pushing or pulling, and adapt your body to the rock and move an inch at a time. We took about an hour to spend at fifteen by the way, the constant physical and moral support from peers and the greatest incentive, when the force seemed to leave your body, the only thing separating you from despair and neglect.

An encounter with the Olmec culture

Amazed as we were the entertainment that our senses had been so far, with natural beauties and whimsical formations, I think no one expected a petrified human skull, placed in one chamber to 1,000 feet deep about 800 BC and part of the Olmec culture.

Although the journey through the caves of Juxtlahuaca, so far, there had been no serious incidents at this point some of the team members had already suffered a few falls, we were all tired and humidity and heat began to wreak havoc on the general physical condition. A few meters later, we joined the other team's tour, which followed the tourist route . That although not the three steps mentioned above, has a length and complexity that they deserve respect. We spent Some cameras with huge sizes, one of them, there is a column, named after the Goat and his descendants as the independence column, height and size that make you feel fragile and ephemeral. The minerals deposited by filtration in these columns, stalactites and stalagmites grow achieves a cubic millimeter in five years. The column mentioned independence and many other Juxtlahuaca formations are still growing.

few meters ahead, more traces of the Olmec culture in two paintings, one will represent a man in a black cloak and a headdress. His arms and legs are appreciated jaguar fur and a tail of a jaguar hanging from his back and is armed with a trident and a snake-whip. At the foot of another man prostrate on a smaller scale, making this picture in one of the few examples of representations of the domination of one man over another is known of the Olmec culture. The second painting is a representation of a feathered serpent, near a red jaguar. 

To reach one of the wonders on our tour, the Hall of the crystals, we had to pass a series of partially flooded chamber, where the water came up to half of the leg. And although it is a journey complex and elaborate, the camera view is well worth the effort.

Six hours later, exhausted but happy to have achieved our goals and not allow ourselves to escape a camera or a natural construction, those that steal your breath, we approached the exit, which was entry for the other team and again we knew by the change in the environment, the strong smell of bat guano, mosquitoes and, at this point, the flapping and overwhelming presence of bats, who had returned from his trip night in search of food.

Juxtlahuaca, Guerrero

Club Spain

Section Mountaineering and Hiking

March 7, 2010

Notes: Some images came from the entry on Wikipedia and this entry, with some modifications, published in the journal of the Club.