Visions and Revisions (El Pípila)

Well, it's time for some visions. I've been here for almost a week now and have wandered through Guanajuato every day except yesterday, when I was laid up with problemas de la digestión. This morning I drank mango flavored water through a straw from a plastic bag.

Perhaps the most visited, and certainly the most visible, tourist spot here is a 25 foot tall statue of a man, called "El Pípila," that overlooks the city from one of the surrounding little mountains. Historically, El Pípila played a key role in the Mexican liberation movement emanating from this region. He is hewn from rough reddish stone with the thick features of one of Picasso's women. For me, the corpulent legs and huge feet stand out especially, suggesting that if El Pípila were to come to life he could stomp some serious ass. First, he'd have to jump down into "el centro," the city center, from the big stone terrace where tourists snap his photo before turning around to take in the view below. This drop of a couple hundred feet over the scrabbly hillside would pose little challenge, I imagine. At that point he could use the stony torch he weilds to wreak havoc on the unjust -- though finding many of them might prove difficult these days, when the Spanish haciendas - Mexican versions of the old American plantations - have been rid of their vassals and converted into charming B&B's, like the one I'm staying at.

The Grand Tour (of Guanajuato)

Here are some pictures from the first few days. I will post more later with more substance, when I'm not feeling so chistoso.




A photo from my third full day in Guanajuato. I came upon something mysterious. Is this a karaoke joint posing as a "bar" or something far more sinister?



This picture speaks for itself, if you are a Queen or a Magician. Clare, Kristen, I'm thinking of you.



That shoe really can fly anywhere!