On to Morelia

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January 22, 2023. Morelia, Michoacán, Mexico

Being Sunday, it was incredibly quiet as I headed out for an early walk this morning in Querétaro. I walked a few miles around town and found a very nice place on one of the central squares to have coffee and breakfast. As I walked I ran into one of the shoeshine guys, and he told me a little about this tradition. The shoeshine spots are sponsored by the city and their association is very old, they’ve been their for 100 years. He and his father and his sons work in shoeshine.

A proud shoeshine worker
The shoeshine stands with various colored dyes and rags, all with the insignia of the city of Querétaro.

As I sat on a veranda overlooking a pretty Plaza de Armas, I realized I could probably get to the bus station for the 10:00 bus to Morelia if I wanted. I got back to my hotel, packed and ordered an Uber that was there in 3 minutes and to the bus station in 10. I was just in time to get the last seat on the 10:00 bus. The bus was very comfortable, allowing me to sleep much of the 3 hour ride, which I needed after 3 nights in a row of loud street noise disturbing my sleep.

The bus continued west on modern freeway, stopping in Celaya to pick up and drop off. Then we turned south and went through some fascinating georgraphy. A large shallow lake dotted with plants in small islands extended on both sides of the bus as we passed over a causeway. Then back up into the mountains and down into the city of Morelia, surrounded by plains nearby and very high mountains in the distance.

After settling in, showering and washing my clothes, I headed out to a restaurant said to have great view of the city. El Companario del Café is an open air restaurant on the top of a bank with a sweeping view of the City. There was one high top left with a perfect view.

Morelia filled with families enjoying their Sunday

The rest of the day I either rested, went walking or had great food at a little family restaurant. I headed 1 km east of the cathedral to the fountain of the Tabascos ( the local indigenous group), and then on to the aqueduct. I spied a little alley called the alley of romance and walked down it. There I cam upon a couple taking photos and we started to have a conversation. I gave him some tips on how to take the photo of his girlfriend. As Eliseo and I chatted I learned that he organizes art shows and has a brother in Grand Rapids. We exchanged information and will be in contact.

Families fill the pedestrian way leading to the Cathedral.

An aqueduct extends for 2 km in Morelia.

Many roller skaters filled the pedestrian paths.
A perfect day for young lovers to stroll the city.
Traditional dance of the old men ( Los viejitos). Four men dance dressed as old men. Together they represent earth, water, fire and air.
The cathedral, build from rose colored rock is the gem and center of the city.
A classic organ grinder plays for tips as if its still the 1940s.
People of wear cool or quirky styles and are very open to be photographed.

2 thoughts on “On to Morelia”

  1. Paul and Marlene DeVries

    Thanx again for the updates of your new Red Tandem escapades. It’s as much fun as following the Camino version you made last year. It’s just that this new one has just a little bit different flavor.

    1. ebouwens

      Thanks, Paul and Marlene. It’s a lot different without the driving force that we have to get going every morning and will we make it. It also makes it a little harder to keep a nice flow going, escpecially if I’m wiped out, but I’ll try.

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