Dave in Retirement

Another Christmas in sunny, warm Guanajuato.  This year the weather back home has been particularly harsh.

In November we hiked to the top of La Bufa and encountered a small herd of goats that were being escorted by two dogs.

December 12 is the feast day for La Virgen de Guadalupe.   There is one particular church here where the celebration takes place.  The long, narrow street leading up to the church is packed with people and vendors.

Reaching the church the crowd funnels to climb the steps and enter in a slow, steady procession.

Mexico is a very religious catholic country.  Christmas festivities start with Las Posadas December 16-24.  There was a “MegaPosada” held in La Plaza de la Paz on the 16th.

We also went to a posada in the small church near the apartment and collected our goody-packages of fruit and candies.

Today we are having dinner with Aimeé’s family in their home.

I arrived in Guanajuato a week ago and have settled in to a two-bedroom apartment in the neighbourhood of San Javier.  The apartment is nice and affordable but not luxurious.  The kitchen, in particular, is equipped with junky stuff and is missing many conveniences.  It is about a 15 minute walk to La Alhondiga and a large store, which is fine, but it takes another 15 minutes to reach El Jardín.  We continue to look for something better.

I’m here for the better weather and the diverse cultural activities that the city offers.  This week, for example, there is a French film series at CineClub at the university and a series of free piano concerts at Teatro Principal.  The weather has been good although the next few days will be cool and cloudy with rain at times.  We run most days.

This time I am not attending Spanish school.  My Spanish is quite advanced and I converse with Aimeé all the time.  I am reading and studying vocabulary on my own each day.  Aimeé has a small piano keyboard which is great for piano studies, if not for playing, so I am practicing piano every day as well.  I have not played for some time due to being here last year and the garage project.