Cock Fight San Sabastian Mascota from Above
As I write this Ken, Murdo and Mike are returning the rental car and exploring boy stores. Home Depot etc. Unbeknownst to him he has a new headache when he arrives back to the boat. My guess is the water pump however it might be a combination of water pump and hot water tank. I turn on the tap and rust like water is barely pumping out. That is why I have the pink jobs. I do know, it is not a cross of hoses and it is Not sewer.
We had a guy come and look at the generator and it will be costly which ever way we decide to go. New or fix. The verdict is still out on that one.
We jumped the bus into Puerto Vallarta and became tourist for the day. This so far has been the most Americanized area we have been in. There is no Real Mexican feel here. The streets are lined with authentic Mexican souvenirs made from China. The time share people are relentless, but Ken seems to have found the answer. We have a house here. They leave you alone with that answer.
However we checked out the Church of Our Lady of Guadeloupe. The steeple is suppose to replicate the crown jewels of the King of Spain. The church inside was filled with sculptures with gold etching. We continued on to the Rio Cuale. It is said that this river became so dirty in the 60’s that several Non Mexicans began cleaning it up. The towns’ people were so embarrassed that they joined in and to this day the river remains clean. Young families come here to enjoy swimming. We enjoyed the walk down the Malecon to watch sand sculptures being created. Unfortunately that’s about it for the sights that we enjoyed. The town is a Mecca for tourist. All inclusive hotels with the do not have to leave the premises attitude.
We rented a car and decided to head East and experience real Mexico. This adventure took us on a fairly new highway carved through the steep Sierra Madre mountain range.
We first got lost in the town of Las Juntas a bedroom community to Puerta Vallarta. It was a quaint town with cobblestone streets. Very busy with people everywhere. I stopped and asked a bus driver how to get to Ixtapa and he said follow me. As we winded through the town on a bus route he pulled over and pointed us out of town. We decided to stop at a typical road side kitchen. We ordered a pollo (chicken) dish not knowing what we really had ordered. It was basically a chicken soup with whole legs, and vegetables. A very good meal. Cheap.
We continued on to Las Palmas where we toured around the town taking pictures of the church and town square. There didn’t seem to be many people around but it was siesta time. Las Palmas is a cowboy town and the people we did see were on their horses. Rodeo grounds were at the south of the town.
The new highway crosses over steep arroyos, streams and rivers carved right through several granite passes as it crosses the Sierra Madres. We reached the turn off for San Sabastian del Oeste only to find it blocked with construction. No getting through there. We pulled over to the side of the road to ponder our next move when a very king gentleman in broken English asked us where we wanted to go. “Just follow us, we are on the way there.” We followed to a make shift bypass route with a cardboard sign. Unfortunately our friends were not going all the way as we wanted to reward their kindness with a cervesa (beer) each.
We entered the picturesque town of San Sabastian del Oeste. The structures are 100’s of years old that reflect Roman architecture, and many of the haciendas have been maintained and upgraded. The town is well known for its festivals and we just happened to be here to attend the festival honouring Saint Sebastian. January 20th. As we pulled up to what looked like a motel Ken hopped out to see if they had room. It was in fact a very large family dwelling. They unfortunately had many family members from out of town there and had no room otherwise they would welcome us into his family. He did however make a phone call to a family member with a motel in construction. We were now his 1st customers. We were charged $30 for the night. He kissed the money, said a prayer thn crossed himself. We were told because we were first this money was special. It turned out that he had more business afterwards as everything in town was booked and he had rooms, government people ended up with rooms.
As the evening progressed the festivities became greater. The Mariachi band played in the square. The vendors with their candy, games and wares to sell were throughout the streets. We wandered around and came across a building with music. It appeared to be a community centre and I figured there was going to be dancing. That would be cool to see authentic dancing. Ken and Murdo had a beer while I had a club soda. The music was fun. More and more men were coming into the building but very few women. There were women just not what you would expect for a dance. No young girls for sure. Ken went up to the bar to get another drink for me to be told that the fight began in 5 mins. Yup A COCK FIGHT. Not for me. Mi no gusto!!!!! I no like! I left the boys and went back to the square. So what I tell you is second hand. Ken’s . They weigh the cocks. They put green and red ropes on the legs to keep them tied to one spot. They then put spurs on the roosters legs. The two men get the roosters mad at each other. The crowd then bets on red or green. The fight goes on until one dies. It is a custom here. They raise the roosters for the sole purpose of fighting. Towns compete against each other. There is great pride in their cock ( rooster). I wanted real Mexico, I got it!
The bands continued and then came the fireworks. Nothing like I had seen before.
Now the real band under the tent begins until about 5 in the morning. All in all a wonderful time.
What I was able to find out about this town was that it was once a thriving silver mine town with 20,000 people until the 1930’s. It now has a population of 600. The festivals bring 1000’s of relatives back for a week. The homes are remaining intact as family members use the homes as retreats. This town is 4000 ‘ above sea level. Beautiful.
We had a guy come and look at the generator and it will be costly which ever way we decide to go. New or fix. The verdict is still out on that one.
We jumped the bus into Puerto Vallarta and became tourist for the day. This so far has been the most Americanized area we have been in. There is no Real Mexican feel here. The streets are lined with authentic Mexican souvenirs made from China. The time share people are relentless, but Ken seems to have found the answer. We have a house here. They leave you alone with that answer.
However we checked out the Church of Our Lady of Guadeloupe. The steeple is suppose to replicate the crown jewels of the King of Spain. The church inside was filled with sculptures with gold etching. We continued on to the Rio Cuale. It is said that this river became so dirty in the 60’s that several Non Mexicans began cleaning it up. The towns’ people were so embarrassed that they joined in and to this day the river remains clean. Young families come here to enjoy swimming. We enjoyed the walk down the Malecon to watch sand sculptures being created. Unfortunately that’s about it for the sights that we enjoyed. The town is a Mecca for tourist. All inclusive hotels with the do not have to leave the premises attitude.
We rented a car and decided to head East and experience real Mexico. This adventure took us on a fairly new highway carved through the steep Sierra Madre mountain range.
We first got lost in the town of Las Juntas a bedroom community to Puerta Vallarta. It was a quaint town with cobblestone streets. Very busy with people everywhere. I stopped and asked a bus driver how to get to Ixtapa and he said follow me. As we winded through the town on a bus route he pulled over and pointed us out of town. We decided to stop at a typical road side kitchen. We ordered a pollo (chicken) dish not knowing what we really had ordered. It was basically a chicken soup with whole legs, and vegetables. A very good meal. Cheap.
We continued on to Las Palmas where we toured around the town taking pictures of the church and town square. There didn’t seem to be many people around but it was siesta time. Las Palmas is a cowboy town and the people we did see were on their horses. Rodeo grounds were at the south of the town.
The new highway crosses over steep arroyos, streams and rivers carved right through several granite passes as it crosses the Sierra Madres. We reached the turn off for San Sabastian del Oeste only to find it blocked with construction. No getting through there. We pulled over to the side of the road to ponder our next move when a very king gentleman in broken English asked us where we wanted to go. “Just follow us, we are on the way there.” We followed to a make shift bypass route with a cardboard sign. Unfortunately our friends were not going all the way as we wanted to reward their kindness with a cervesa (beer) each.
We entered the picturesque town of San Sabastian del Oeste. The structures are 100’s of years old that reflect Roman architecture, and many of the haciendas have been maintained and upgraded. The town is well known for its festivals and we just happened to be here to attend the festival honouring Saint Sebastian. January 20th. As we pulled up to what looked like a motel Ken hopped out to see if they had room. It was in fact a very large family dwelling. They unfortunately had many family members from out of town there and had no room otherwise they would welcome us into his family. He did however make a phone call to a family member with a motel in construction. We were now his 1st customers. We were charged $30 for the night. He kissed the money, said a prayer thn crossed himself. We were told because we were first this money was special. It turned out that he had more business afterwards as everything in town was booked and he had rooms, government people ended up with rooms.
As the evening progressed the festivities became greater. The Mariachi band played in the square. The vendors with their candy, games and wares to sell were throughout the streets. We wandered around and came across a building with music. It appeared to be a community centre and I figured there was going to be dancing. That would be cool to see authentic dancing. Ken and Murdo had a beer while I had a club soda. The music was fun. More and more men were coming into the building but very few women. There were women just not what you would expect for a dance. No young girls for sure. Ken went up to the bar to get another drink for me to be told that the fight began in 5 mins. Yup A COCK FIGHT. Not for me. Mi no gusto!!!!! I no like! I left the boys and went back to the square. So what I tell you is second hand. Ken’s . They weigh the cocks. They put green and red ropes on the legs to keep them tied to one spot. They then put spurs on the roosters legs. The two men get the roosters mad at each other. The crowd then bets on red or green. The fight goes on until one dies. It is a custom here. They raise the roosters for the sole purpose of fighting. Towns compete against each other. There is great pride in their cock ( rooster). I wanted real Mexico, I got it!
The bands continued and then came the fireworks. Nothing like I had seen before.
Now the real band under the tent begins until about 5 in the morning. All in all a wonderful time.
What I was able to find out about this town was that it was once a thriving silver mine town with 20,000 people until the 1930’s. It now has a population of 600. The festivals bring 1000’s of relatives back for a week. The homes are remaining intact as family members use the homes as retreats. This town is 4000 ‘ above sea level. Beautiful.
The next morning we ventured out to head higher into the mountains. First we dropped into a very fertile valley, to a prosperous town Mascota. It is a traditional Mexican town with cobblestone streets, a central square and a majestic church. This church took over 100 years to build and was completed in 1780.
The highway continues up to 6000’ above sea level to the town of Talpa de Allende. Thousands of pilgrims travel from all over Mexico to visit this church that is considered a shrine. It is believed that healing powers emanate from the shrine. Vendors sell crosses, pictures of Mary and canes all around town.
Talpa is also famous for the chicle tree that grows in the area. The gum from this tree was used by Mr Wrigley to make chewing gum and is the source for chiclets. Which were also being sold all around town.
It was a full 2 days but well worth the effort.
The highway continues up to 6000’ above sea level to the town of Talpa de Allende. Thousands of pilgrims travel from all over Mexico to visit this church that is considered a shrine. It is believed that healing powers emanate from the shrine. Vendors sell crosses, pictures of Mary and canes all around town.
Talpa is also famous for the chicle tree that grows in the area. The gum from this tree was used by Mr Wrigley to make chewing gum and is the source for chiclets. Which were also being sold all around town.
It was a full 2 days but well worth the effort.
See the new pictures attached in the album....................................
posted by genesisincalmh2o @ 1:39 PM
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