The Morelia party continues ...

Saturday morning was quiet as we walked into the Old part of the City while clouds loomed overhead, threatening rain. We had made a conscious decision to not bring rain gear and to buy it if we felt that it was needed. We should have known better. After all, it is late fall, there are many tropical depressions just waiting to come inland, and rain is badly needed. So of course it would be the weather of the day. It had rained and was colder than normal when we arrived: it will rain many times over before we head home. But for today, we happily traipse out into town oblivious to what was overhead.

Brunch was had at the same restaurant as last night, on the plaza Jardin de las Rosas but this time the plaza has been transformed. It has become the Jardin del Arte de las Rosas  and art forms are found in every empty space.       Of course, the theme is universally, El Día de los Muertos.  I found many that would enhance a room and be a conversation piece, but alas, there is no space big enough to handle one of them. Here a few of my favorites besides the violin:   

As we meandered our way through town we couldn't help but notice the manhole covers for the electric company.  Yes the three Kings are what we see each time we cross one of them but in reality they are representative of the three founders of their independence. 

Today was our day for exploring both outside and inside the various buildings in the historic area of town. Each and every open door that we came to we would look in. Looking into the many open buildings that we pass we also see individual remembrances of the dead, each as unique as the other, yet all with the same displayed items: skulls, candles, orange marigolds with a few magenta flowers, food stuff, and a cross or more worked into the design. Sometimes there is even a photo of the deceased. 

   

There were also many examples of la Catrina/el Catrino, representing a elegantly, richly dressed person who ultimately, in death, becomes equal with everyone, including the peasant. 

 

 

The architecture is reminiscent of areas that we have previously seen: Guatemala, Colombia, Peru, Argentina, Uruguay, Spain and France. And why wouldn't they be; the builders of the time are one in the same - of the Old World.  Some remain as designed, others converted: An ex-convent is now an artesian exhibition and store. 

Here again we found many wonderful things that would look good in a house. hmmmm do I see a trend here? 

      
   Although I have many different photos of the inside of churches, I promise, no more - well maybe an alter to give the sense of how they are outfitted.

 

 

Along the street, people are out in force as the day progresses but very few costumes such as was seen last night. We did however, come across an organ grinder without a monkey to collect his tips.  Danny loves to listen to these and reward with a tip.

We tried to get on the free trolley for a tour of the area but could never quite get the times right. Oh well, there is always tomorrow. You never knew who or what you would see around the corner.  

Oh look, another festival/happening coming up.  You never know who might be in attendance, promoting the next happening. 

As the afternoon wore on we would have the occasional sprinkle, letting us know that there was a possibility for rain. And then the downpour arrived. The skies became grey and not a speck of blue or sunshine to be seen. Yes, we got soaked. Danny had a jacket with him. I didn't but guess what, Woolworth's sells umbrellas. Also a good time to have an early meal at VIPs, a Denny-like restaurant.

The rain continued long into the night and we made an early night of it. Tomorrow should look better.

Sunday and yes, it continues to rain. Nevertheless we find ourselves out in it as we change establishments. This time we are closer in to town. Working folks have to go back to work tomorrow and thus there are more rooms available. Rain or no rain, there are things to see and places to be. The displays are looking a little dejected and waterlogged and maybe even a little haunting as we wandered through the areas that had been wall to wall with excited and boisterous people Friday night.  

Walking in the rain, with my mind singing ...
"I'm singing in the rain,
just walking in the rain,
What a glorious feeling,
I'm happy again..." twirling my umbrella, and slouching into my jacket. My feet are wet, and so is my hair, but "I'm singing in the rain, ... What a glorious feeling, ..."  This is a pedestrian mall leading to the Aqueduct.

Brunch overlooking the park, coffee overlooking the park, and just off the park, a very informative and interesting Museum of Michoacán detailing life in the provence since the earliest of times. One display traced the development of the indigenous languages which we found very interesting, having studied this superficially, somewhat earlier. The information actually added to our small amount of knowledge and augmented the earlier acquisitions. We will have to return to this as there were areas that we didn't get to by closing.

Back in the hotel, yikes! Their water heating system is solar and there wasn't a speck of sunshine today. Now, what does that tell you? Yup, no hot water for showers. Oh well, c'est la vie!