Mexico 2025 Part One (December 4 - 11)
Slideshows from Road Scholar trip The Best of Central Mexico: Magical Towns and Bustling Cities
In 2024 and 2025 I took Road Scholar trips to Mexico. Both trips gave me a deeper understanding of the history of Mexico. This enriches my own understanding of California's relationship to Mexico in my work with archives and studying California history. In Mexico the history of revolution and upheavals are celebrated as well as the wonders of pre-colonial civilizations. In December the alters of the churches celebrate an indigenous version of the Virgin Mary with a riot of flowers and colors.
Currently I work at the Santa Inés Mission helping with the archives and museum. Mexico is full of Franciscan convents and churches. Many of them are tied to Franciscan's in the early Spanish Colonial days in what is now Mexico and parts of the United States.
Santa Ines Mission is overseen by Franciscans. Reading books is helpful. I just finished reading Engelhardt's “Missions and Missionaries of California”, as well as more modern books on the same subject. But going to actual places and seeing the museums, churches, cities and people adds depth and meaning. I found the church alters, and work by pre-Spanish periods especially beautiful. The reverence shown for their history and political struggles in their art museums and monuments can be felt by being there much more than just reading about it. In 2015 I went to Spain so that also helped me to understand California's non-indigenous roots. I still have photos from that trip to review again.
I am glad that I had the time, being semi-retired, to travel, study and finish with posting the Mexico photos while freshening up my website and photo albums.
December 4, 2025 - From Santa Barbara to Mexico city with a San Francisco Transfer
December 5, 2025 - Mexico City, Museo Nacional De Antropologia, Mexico City Cathedral and Plaza
December 6, 2025 - Zócalo Rally, Xochimilco Boat Ride and view of nursery businesses, Freda Kahlo Museum, Palacio de Bellas Artes
December 7, 2025 - Secretariat of Public Education (Diego Rivera Murals), Leaving Mexico City heading to Morelia in the state of Michoacan, passing through the skyscrapers of Santa Fe, mountains and countryside.
December 8, 2025 - Capula with Catrina Statue, Cemetery weeks after late October Day of the Dead rituals, dried flowers study. Marigolds held their color., Juan Torres Art Workshop and Garden in or near Capula, Metropolitan Cathedral of Morelia Spanish: Catedral Metropolitana de Morelia (San Salvador), Basilica de Nuestra Senora de la Salud, Market place, Azteca dancers, and Plaza at Patzcuaro
December 9, 2025 - Morelia Balcony Views, Morelia Aqueduct, Santuario de Guadalupe (Sanctuary of Our Lady of Guadalupe), Santuario de Guadalupe where people were heading on their Virgen de Guadalupe Per Virgen de Guadalupe Peregrino walkway, Colegio Primitivo y Nacional de San Nicolas de Hidalgo. Morelia to Guanajuato countryside and overview of Guanajuato
December 10, 2025 - La Alhóndiga de Granaditas in Guanajuato, University of Guanajuanto, Iglesia de San Diego and walking around the city, Peace Plaza, Jardin de la Union, Basilica Colegiata de Nuestra Senora de Guanajuato (Basilica of Our Lady of Guanajuato), Market Place, Jarden de la Union (Union Garden) Plaza
December 11, 2025 - From Guanajuato to Plaza Y Edificio Del Centro Cultural Ignacio Ramirez Y Cuartel Militar in San Miguel Arcangel, San Miguel de Allende, La Parroquia de San Miguel Arcángel and Templo de San Francisco de Asis then to Santiago de Queretaro