We drove in a very comfortable “Sprinter” van from Creel to the City of Chihuahua. Here the landscape again becomes very arid and the temperatures rise.
As we drove through the Mennonite farming areas it became obvious that they are very successful farmers, heavily mechanized, very modern both in farming methods and how they live. I had expected this unique area to be something special, but for me as a tourist, I found it very ordinary.
Once again our hotel, the Capitol Boutique was quite special, right in the heart of the old city across from the cathedral and quite near the federal buildings, in an old colonial building. During the middle of the night I needed to get a drink of water and as I had a roommate I did not turn on a light and found the glass bottle of water, pulled the pug, took a sip and spit it right out. It wasn’t water! I hoped it was some form of alcohol and not cleaning fluid, burned like crazy. In the light of morning I learned it was Sotelo a potent alcohol with a price tag of 999.00 pesos for the bottle. I obviously wasn’t the only one to have taken a sip from it and felt no obligation to pay for it. Never did find the water bottle.
In Chihuahua City we had opportunity to visit the colonial homes of two of the area’s richest families. One is now used a very excellent restaurant and following our meal there we were given a tour of the upstairs rooms, the ladies restroom/lounge was larger than most master suits. Opulence was everywhere.
Visited this colonial house which is now part of the local college’s music and arts program
In another district of the city we visited the home of Poncho Villa. He was quite the interesting character, at times ruthless and brutal, not above wiping out an entire village if he thought it was an enemy stronghold and at the same time, offer schooling for street children, giving them both food, lodging and means of employment and schooling. He was both feared and revered.
The conclusion of our trip was at a private winery hacienda out of town in the countryside. There we wined and dined in two lovely hacienda courtyards. The first with lovely cheese and fruit platters and an in house Chardonnay, then a tour of the winery facilities and on to the second court yard for a fantastic dinner accompanied by more varieties of the house wine. A lovely end to a lovely trip.
Seated and ready to enjoy our most excellent dinner
If you get the chance, do the Copper Canyon train trip, fascinating, educational and very enjoyable. Signing off KO
Zihuatanejo 