Grandad's Visit 2/10-2/16, 2011

Grandad arrived on Thursday evening giving him and me free time on Friday for exploring. After a leisurely morning, we took a taxi down to Queretaro Centro, the old section of the city. We first went for a trolley ride for 2 hours to see the sights of the city. The tour was givne in spanish with some English translation squished in so as to not leave us totally clueless. We saw many staues, many buildings, gardens, squares, walked up many steps, saw a gorgoeous view of the city and Aquaduct, rang the rock at the Hill of the Bells,saw many spots where Maxamillion was either captured or held prisoner, or laid claim to use him name somehow, learned many historical facts and had an enjoyable ride.

After the trolley ride, we went for a short tour in the Regional museum which is where this photo was taken. We read and translated many signs, saw a Linotype machine, why, we do not know, but it was there. We never made it to the area with all the old artifacts as we were running short on time and wanted to make sure we made it to the Convent of Santa Cruz. I, however, did not take any photos there. We had a wonderful tour there with a kind (healthy now, Anne) and knowledgable tour guide. After our tour we took a taxi to the restaurant we were to meet Mark and and had an enjoyable dinner and evening stroll afterwards.

Enough taking it easy! On Saturday,we took a 'Jeep' Ride around La Pena de Bernal rather than have Grandad climb it! Strap those helmets on you are in for the ride of your life...haha, not really, It was a four wheeler pulling a wagon of seats!! But fun none the less. Lynda got the choice seat of the back seat of the four wheeler!!

A side view of La Pena

Here are the three adventurous muskateers

Mark is pointing out a sign from when the indigenous spent time in this area.

On Sunday we drove to San Miguell de Allende. We toured the Hidalgo Museum, which was neat. He is like the Paul Revere of Mexico, I think, I suffer a bit from CRS right now!! We ended up at our favorite restaurant Los Miligros, check it out at this website to see it. http://www.restaurantlosmilagros.com.mx/index.eng.html . Put your cursor over the space above this sentence and the link will lightup. After a few margaritas and a full belly, we made our way back home for a relaxing evening.
For in the morning, we drove to near Mexico City to see the pyramids of Teotihuacan. They are an amazing sight every time we see them. Lynda needed exercise for the day so she just about ran up the pyramid of the sun, touched the top, and came down again. I took a video fromthe top and a video of going down all the steps, but am having trouble uploading them, they must be too big of a file. Any ways, Mark and Grandad walked around the base and read all the intersting facts and took in the awesomeness of the site.

We walked toward the pyramid of the moon and Grandad just had to climb up some of it.

He really enjoyed the view from his seat on the steps, and we marvelled in the fact that he's still

"Got It'!

'

After that 'climb' and photo op, we went to the museum that is on the site. they had some wonderful plants and cacti that I just couldn't resisit a picture of. There were many arifacts and interesting objects in the museum. Check out al the photos at my Kodak Gallery link I hopefully mailed to you. (If I didn't, let me know)

This is a view of the back of the pyramid of the sun from inside of the museum.

After our day of taking in the history of Teotihuacan we relaxed at this unique restaurant called La Gruta. It is built in a cave. Allthe tables, chairs and table cloths were very brightly colored and beautiful set off by the drab colred rock of thecave. We were even serenaded and Grandad enjoyed siging along. Ahh, songs of youth.

There is a stage in the restaurant for entertainment that supposed' occurs daily', just not the day we were there I guess.

Grandad's last day was spent touring a lighing manufacturing plant that our landlord and his brother own. He was impressed by how well the fixtures were made as wella s the cleanlimess of the plant. He had a lot in common with Enrique to speak about lighting and the like. They treated him so kind and even called in their nephew who knew of a new type of lighting that Grandad was speaking about so he could talk with him. It was very nice of them to give us a treat. After our two hours of touring, we me Mark for a real Mexican lunch at Los Loreles, a former Hacienda.After a wonderful bottle of wine, margaritas, and super food, Canitas too of course, we made our way backto the house where we watched Jeopardy featuring the computer contestant Watson.

A great week was had by all.