This is our first time traveling on a first class bus, the Parhikuni Line,and like everything else the Senor is never comfortable with the unknown. I was told this bus was nicer than the plan we flew down on and that certainly was correct. So far so good. The seats are as comfortable as a Lazy Boy recliner, and just as roomy, if we spoke spanish we would have had a huge collection of movies to choose from. It says you have internet connections, I didn’t try as the netbook was in the suitcase. We brought some snacks for the 3 hr and 35 minute trip,nonstop. We brought our windbreakers with us as Morelia is about 6,000 ft elevation and the Butterfly Sanctuary is almost 10,000 ft so we knew it would be cold. And we assumed it might be cold on the bus, but the tempature was comfortable the whole trip. We traveled through desert with large cactus growing everywhere,then we got into foot hills and farm country with orchards and lots of unidentified crops, some even looked like maybe grapes, then into the pine trees and at last Morelia. Once at the station in Morelia we bought our taxi ticket at a booth, gave the ticket and our hotel information to the taxi driver headed to our hotel, the Hotel El Carmen. At first site we were pleased with the hotel, it’s in a 17th century building, but it has been a bit rocky ever since we checked in. My spanish is limited and of course they speak no English but we had reservations and were expected. We asked about tours to the Butterfly Sanctuary and I believe that we are set up for tomorrow. The Senor is a bit doubtful and as always is uncomfortable with the unknown, so I sure hope I’m right. Next we head up stairs to our room. The hallways are lined with beautiful tiles, other walls are beautiful old stone. Our room is tiny, but we expected that, the surprise is the only windows in the room are a transome over the door and a big window in the bathroom that opens on to the hall.
I guess that is to share your morning shower experience with the rest of the guests. Well I went down to complain and was told they were full up and we would have a room with a window “manana “. Well there is one thing I have learned about Mexico is “manana” does not necessarily tomorrow, it simply means not today. If there is no window tomorrow we will probably switch hotels.But we have already paid for 3 nights so I’m not sure how that will work. The hotel has internet, and it works fine in the lobby, but not in our room.
Next we headed out to find the cathedral and the main square where the shops and restaurants are as the Senor is starving. We hit 3 cathedrals before we found the right one.So far this evening is not going great, we picked the first restraurant we found and did good. I had salmon in some kind of sauce that was exceptionally good and the Senor had speghtti. Upon leaving the restaurant we discovered it was raining, not just sprinkling, but raining and the Senor decided we didn’t bring warm enough clothes asnd would probably freeze going up the mountain tomorrow so we caught a cab to Walmart, which promptly broke down or ran out of gas. Jumped out and caught another one We bought some socks, long sleeved shirts and the Senor a pair of long pants. And back to the room for a good nights rest. Tomorrow will be a better day
Zihuathyme 