A view of the Jardin with La Parroqulia in the background (can't seem to get away from the Parish
Church). The Jardin was originally used as a parade ground and market. It is a popular meeting
place for Americans and Mexicans to sit and watch the people or read a paper. There is an English
paper published daily and sold in the plaza.
Next to the hotel was the Church of the Conception. I took many pictures of the church from the
roof of the hotel - this is the inside.
Unfortunately the home of Ignacio Allende was closed for the holidays. It has been turned into a
museum of Allende and the revolution. This is the outside with Ignacio Allende's statue on the
corner. Originally the statue was of one of the royalists fighting the rebels. When discovered it
was taken down and this statue put in its place. Since there are no known pictures of Ignacio
this is only a representation.
The Canals were very well off and built a large house on the Jardin square. Count Canal built the
house in late 18th century. Our hotel was across from the house - this is the massive door that
rose two stories. He was a royalist and was the Colonel in charge of the Queen's Provincial
Dragoons and Ignacio Allende was a Captain. When the revolution broke out Allende went with the
rebels and Canal fled for his life to Queretaro.
For New Year celebrating we went to Tio Lucas, a restaurant near the hotel. Cal and Liz had met
the sister of an entertainer who sang jazz at Tio Lucas before leaving on the trip. The sister
suggested we go to Tio Lucas for the evening.
Virginia Ann getting in the spirit.
Instead of a jazz combo for the evening the owner, Max, brought in a mariachi band.
Liz and Cal getting in the spirit.
Shortly after new years we walked to the Jardin and celebrated again. There were vendors selling
fireworks and a small firework show overhead. The churches were all lit up.
