December 4, 2010

OMG....we slept in and missed our wake up call for surgery!! LOL....just kidding...we really did sleep in but the surgery was more imagination that it was a real commitment. We'll leave it up the 75+ professionals who are here for the weekend (and who saw 500+ people today) to take care of the doctoring.

This will be a shorter blog as it was a shorter day. Enjoyed a leisurely morning with brunch in the courtyard at our hotel.

Toasty warm temps today and since we're close to the water (River Fuerte) humidity makes it feel even warmer.

Spent some time researching our travel plans for the Copper Canyon accomodations and the train and thanks to Aldo (manager at the Hotel del Hidalgo-Zorro's place) we've got the next couple of days all figured out with reservations and transfers from the train to the hotels in Cerocahui and Posado Barancas. Since this will likely be our only visit to the Canyon...we decided to splurge on our accomodations for those two locations as they are 'experiences' more than they are hotels. Given that they also include the transfers and 3 meals a day...they're not as pricey as they seem at first. And...with tourism having been hit so hard in Mexico the past while...the hotels are very willing to negotiate their rates so we've hit it pretty lucky with our timing and our rates are very good. We really do have to give Aldo credit for the good rates though as he made the calls for us and was able to help out on that front.

Also visited the old fort and local museum where we learned a little more about the local history and culture.

After our hike up to the museum and the fort....we decided it was time to stop back at the courtyard of our hotel for a michelado (beer and clam juice with lime and maggi)....refreshing and delicious. After the heat and the beer we were both ready for a rest so in true Mexican fashion we decided on a short siesta in the cool of our room. Before long we were refreshed and back out on the street for another walk around.

The federal government in Mexico has a program underway at present and El Fuerte has benefitted from that initiative. The gov't has dedicated funds to restore the faces of select historic buildings and it is looking fantastic. All the labour is being done by locals so not only is the work giving the town(s) a face lift but they've also created a lot of new jobs to boost the local economy.

Finally found the little place that has potatoes tonight so of course....enjoyed that for dinner. Afterward it was a final stop back at Zorro's place for a margarita and to say good bye. We've made some friends here in El Fuerte and have found this little place to be very easy to visit and a great place to spend a couple of days.

Catching the 2nd class train at 9:30 a.m. so may not have internet again for a while.

Thanks for following our adventures :)
L & L