On New Year's Day a hot air balloon was taking an early morning look at San Miguel. They brought
the balloon very close to the church.
Here is the group in the Jardin. It was very sunny so we are a little washed out - ready to
travel to Patzcuaro.
Unfortunately we were the only ones up early in the morning so we had to wait for a restaurant to
open for breakfast. Our hotel was not going to serve until 1100. While we waited Virginia Ann had
her boots polished. The shoe shine stands were numerous in the Jardin - this was the only one up
early.
This is the Morelia Cathedral. It was begun in 1600 and took 100 years to build. It is built out
of pink tracchyte stone. Since it took so long it is a mixture of styles - Neo-Classical,
Herreresque and Baroque.
The various styles can be seen in the towers and entrances.
A closeup of the entrance.
The Cathedral alter contains a gold crown that was a gift from Phillip II of Spain.
A view down the Cathedral aisle.
The Cathedral organ.
The opposite side of the Cathedral showing the beautiful tile domes.
Ihuatzio ruins consist of two pyramids and several stone walls. The village was founded by the
Purepecha and was used as an astronomical observatory and ceremonial center. The pyramids are
dedicated to the gods Curicaveri and Xaratanga.
We arrived at Ihuatzio around 1745 in the afternoon so it was pretty late. Unfortunately the
gates were locked. We scrambled over the low stone fence around the site and headed to the ruins.
Here Cal and Cal pose next to the pyramids.
Cal in front of the pyramids - you can see the outer layer of stones over the inner
brickwork.
Ihuatzio up close. The ruins were a mile from a paved street - we followed a dirt road by four
wheeling in our Dodge Strobe. What Hertz does not know will not hurt them - several times we
thought the car would not make it to the site.
Ihuatzio another shot.
As we were leaving the site the sun was setting. Liz had waited by the car while the rest of us
walked 100 yards to the ruin. While she was there a local Mexican walked by on his way to the
village - with a machete. We scampered over the wall and got in the car - as we were driving away
a park ranger drove up.... we innocently drove by lucky that we were out of the site before he
arrived.
