Saltillo, Dia quatro

Yesterday was so late, that I did not get to post, so even though it is late again, I do not want to get too far behind. Tomorrow is a big fiesta here and we are going straight to the mountains in the morning.

Today, was the third and final day of class. Last night, we left a bottle of wine (I gave the other bottle to an older patron of the bomberos. Louis said I should be sure to take my ID with me to prove my age - flattery gets you a bottle of wine)with our hostess. It turned out that she has a HUGE cup and mug collection, so we also gave her the Austin mug. Micela´likes coffee as much as I do, so I was grateful that she is an early riser and had it all ready, plus fruit and pastries. Class was another day of learning how much Spanish I do not know. Our teacher taught the class using very little English, so at times, I felt quite lost. We had a nice little graduation and did a little piece at the end for the TV camera, shouting, ¡Saltillo, eres tu! and then pointing at the camera. The flowers our leader ordered for the teacher did not show up on time. Fortunately we had a nice little gift bag with bluebonnet soap from the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center a very nice stationary set and a bag of Austin Nuts (packed in Manor, Texas), packaged and ready to go for the teacher. Lunch at the same restaurant with more napolitos (and they were heavenly), pasta soup and carne. Then on to the Museum of the Desert in Mexico where we spent a considerable amount of time. It is a great museum - lots to see, beautiful and modern. I could have watched the bats for hours. We had little time to get back and change before going to the next fire station. More. Good. Food. I do not know what it was for sure, that is I forgot the name, but it was good. ¿Did I say it was good? Another guitarist, (he does play in a Mariachi band - one of my favorites) this one after dinner and I danced with Rueben (another patron), a very short dance, but quite fun. Finally, we made it back here and now I am off to bed because as I said, we are going to the mountains first thing. BTW, this area reminds me of both Wyoming and Austin. It has the mountains of Wyo and a lot of the plants of Austin.

Saltillo, Dia Tres

Day three and we were up early and on to the second day of class. For some strange reason, the toilets had seats yesterday, but no toilet paper. Today, they had toilet paper, but no seats...
We picked more figs. Class lasted until 2. It is good that class can not go longer than 2, because my brain could not possibly take more than that. We went to the same restaurant for lunch and had napolitos mixed with onions, and ceviche - the best I have ever had. Then we went to the mueseum of the history of the battle of La Angostura By the time we made it back to the hotel, we had little time to get ready for the next meal at a fire station. This time we went to Station 4. More good food and a trio on guitars. The mosquitos were out. Finally, Mary Ann and I went to stay with one of the Patrons. Her name is Micela´and she is a very delightful lady. It was only sad that we did not have more time to spend with her. Another late night.

Saltillo, Dia Dos

I forgot to mention that the mayor of Saltillo is springing for our rooms at the Hampton for the week. We thought we were staying with patrons except for the first night. So, we will spend one night with our patron.
The second day in Saltillo we spent in Spanish class. Our maestra is very patient and we have all learned a lot. The class is being held in a meeting room at the new Municipal Archives. It is a very interesting building with a great big courtyard. No AC, but none is needed the weather is ABSOLUTELY perfect. The weather forecast was for temps in the 50´s, but if that is what it has been it does not feel like it. I have had no need for a sweater. Oh, and the bonus at the Archives, is fruit trees right outside the door of our classroom. The peaches are not ready, but the figs are huge and some of them were ready! We finished class around 2 or 3 and then to lunch before heading downtown to the big Mercado and the Museo del Palacio. We did stop at a store that make serapes and got to see the looms and learn why and how serapes came to be (I will save for another post). Tonight we went to fire station 2 where one of the firefighters made homemade tomales. They were unbelievably delicious! I was only going to eat one as we had some really fabulous chicken mole (the best mole I have ever eaten) at lunch, but stopped at 3 when I could have eaten a dozen! Now back to the hotel for some sleep.

Saltillo, Day Uno

We left Austin at about 0900 Monday morning and arrived in Saltillo at about 2000. We met with Saltillo firefighters at the Walmart, then drove to a dealership where our van could be safely locked up. Then we got in the two Saltillo vehicles and went for lunch before going to the immigration place for our tourist visas. This took about 3 hours...or so. We crossed the border at Laredo instead of someplace else because it was felt that would be safer as there is much more traffic. Apparently the drug lords and such are mostly bothering vehicles with Mexican plates on lonlier stretches of road. The drive was not bad at all. We arrived at the Hampton in time for their afternoon snack time, which includes free BEER! Then a super quick change, and onto Fire Station 1 (the north station) for a reception and dinner. Dinner was a hot soup that was super tasty and roast pork with fresh tortillas and guacmole. It was late, but we were not done. A few quick tours by this and that and then we had to go see a "special friend". This turned out to be a visit to a hotel (El Morillo) with only 14 rooms, a restaurant and a pool. They hosted an international opera competition last week. The rooms have no AC, no phones, no television and they are only 48 dollars a night. The family that owns the property has a pear orchard and they make tequilla with a pear in the bottle. No, we did not drink any Tequilla. But it was a beautiful place and they wanted to show it off to us. I have already made up my mind that I will be back. Hotel by midnight.

Chicken Yard Pics

The chicken house - this is the summer version. A cover for the feed to keep it dry.

Pics

Top picture of the rock roses around the mailbox, fig tree behind. Next is the herb and rose garden. Third pic are cucumbers, melons and okra next to the satsuma and some flowers. Fading cilantro to the right. Rhubard didn't make it - again. The fourth is flowers under the oak trees.

More Pics

Picture 1 is a closeup of one of the stumps I hauled from the back of the property. Note the flower planted in a hollow. #2, a view of both. 3 is a view of the front. I had to throw up a scare deer and some fencing to keep them from eating the sunflowers. #4 is the lizard who lives in those tree stumps. He gets lots of visits from the dragonflies who hang out in the area. Finally, a look at the driveway. A couple of transplanted yucca from the back, some rocks from the back. This is phase one of my xeriscape. It is all I could afford this year.