and a not so perfect one
Traveling isn’t one endless stream of joy, but sometimes it can feel like it is. One of my days in Pátzcuaro turned out to be pretty close to perfect.
Pátzcuaro
First of all, the city of Pátzcuaro feels like a village, though there are about 100,000 people living there. I met an American man across the street from my beautiful home who said he came to the city 25 years ago and decided he had to live there. Unfortunately, I think Pátzcuaro is on its way to becoming a popular place for more expats to retire.
The streets, plazas, markets and galleries are so pleasant to wander through. The main plaza is one of the most beautiful I’ve ever seen. At about 7000 feet above sea level, it has the perfect climate (for me) – temperatures in the 70s-80s and cool nights. The town has a blend of indigenous (Purépecha) and colonial roots. I only had three days there due to other plans, but this is a place I know I will return to! (It is known for its Day of the Dead celebration . . . anyone up for a trip?)
Paricutín Volcano
I had hoped to climb to the rim of Paricutín and slide down the side (that’s what they do), but staying in Pátzcuaro meant I was further away and would have to modify my trip.
I hired a driver recommended by my HomeExchange host and funded the excursion thanks to a generous retirement gift from my brother and niece! I knew that if I couldn’t climb to the crater (this time), I could hike to the church buried by lava. What an amazing and unique adventure it turned out to be! Click on the images and read the captions to learn more.
Uruapan National Park
Nacho, my courteous and friendly driver, was waiting patiently for me after my hike to the volcano. He recommended a stop, about halfway back to Pátzcuaro, at a national park. I wasn’t terribly excited about it after seeing the volcano, but I agreed because he had already asked me about it several times on the drive up.
Nacho dropped me off on the side of a busy city street in Uruapan, near the entrance to the park. He said he would meet me at the end of the trail.
As soon as I passed the gates into the park, I was in another world. The sound of rushing water drowned out any city noise, and the lush vegetation and chirping birds made me feel like I was in the middle of the jungle. Cool air rushed up from the flowing water. It was a perfect stop – I told Nacho I would follow all of his recommendations from now on!
Nacho and I had a great meal at a trout restaurant overlooking the river, waterfalls, and park before driving back to Pátzcuaro. The whole drive back I kept thinking about what an amazing day it had been.
And then . . .
Just so you know that not every day is pure bliss, the following day I got caught in traffic and missed a flight which would have brought me to the state of Chiapas in southern Mexico. Though there were flight delays and cancellations due to an eruption of another Mexican volcano, my delay was purely due to an accident and closed highway.
I lost an AirBnB reservation, spent hours in lines at the airport, had to pay to change my flight, and got stuck in the busy city of Guadalajara for two days waiting for an opening on a flight. Okay, I’m not complaining, this trip is still pretty amazing!
May 28, 2023 @ 09:31
Wow, Tim! Gorgeous pics!
May 29, 2023 @ 00:11
Thanks!
May 28, 2023 @ 11:33
More great adventures, Tim! Sorry it was marred by a traffic accident!
May 29, 2023 @ 00:12
I really can’t complain.
May 28, 2023 @ 15:36
Fascinating as always, Tim! Thanks for including the less than blissful parts at the end – it’s good to know what a wonderful time you’re having in spite of such things!
May 29, 2023 @ 00:13
Yes, there are ups and downs, just like in normal life.
May 30, 2023 @ 08:51
Seeing that church in the hardened lava was incredible. So sorry you had trouble but I’m glad it all worked out in the end.
May 30, 2023 @ 16:41
It was truly surreal, and to be there all alone was amazing.
June 2, 2023 @ 12:58
Can’t believe I didn’t read these the d as y you posted, too busy
And you’re doing the utmost!
June 8, 2023 @ 09:54
Glad to see you’re getting caught up!
I’ll Come With You | The Alternate Route
October 2, 2023 @ 09:52
[…] ran into José Roberto, a middle school kid I met at the National Park in Uruapan four months ago, who was still working there when Vicky Ann and I visited last week. He never asked about coming to […]