Saturday, October 10, 2020

A Day Trip to Dolores Hidalgo, a Pueblo Mágico in the State of Guanajuato

 A Nice Self-Guided Walking Tour and Trolley Tour

Parroquia Nuestra Señora de Los Dolores

     The famous city of Dolores Hidalgo is about thirty miles from San Miguel de Allende in the state of Guanajuato. Since we were spending two months in San Miguel, we couldn’t resist taking a day trip to explore this Pueblo Mágico, one of only 121 Magic Towns in México. Our Uber driver dropped us at the Italian restaurant, Da Monica where we had a delicious lunch and then started walking around centro.

Parroquia de la Asunción

     We wore masks during our walk, though we noticed many people in town did not so we stayed at least 1.5 meters away from others, as is recommended to avoid spreading the coronavirus. We made a point of visiting on a weekday which is less crowded than weekends in tourist towns.

A Street in Dolores Hidalgo Centro

     The city is best known for Father Miguel Hidalgo who was a Spanish Roman Catholic priest, a leader of the Mexican War of Independence, and recognized as the Father of the Nation. In the small town known simply as Dolores, Father Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla uttered his famous cry for the independence of Mexico (the Grito de Dolores) there in the early hours of September 16, 1810, in front of Parroquia Nuestra Señora de Los Dolores, the parish church. After Mexico achieved independence, the town was renamed Dolores Hidalgo in his honor. 

Jon and Bella Resting in the Plaza Principal

Ice Cream Time at Jardin del Grande Hidalgo

     The large principal city park, Plaza Principal, Jardin del Grande Hidalgo, across from the Parroquia Nuestra Señora de los Dolores was open, but not crowded. We had a rest and a bowl of ice cream while people watching, then a stroll around the park. The manicured plants, statues, and pretty park benches were as nice as the ones in San Miguel de Allende.

Monument to Miguel Hidalgo in El Jardin

     Our last adventure was to take the hour-long trolley tour. The trolley was open-air with only five tourists riding, including Jon and me—six if you count Bella, so we were well separated and all wearing masks, as required. The highlight of that tour was a stop at the panteón, the cemetery. We were grateful that we had taken this day trip to Dolores Hidalgo.

Cowboy Hat Sculpture Inside the Panteón


Jon with the Panteón Sculpture

Thank you for reading my articles and books. For more Healthy Living and Traveling in Mexico adventures, see my four-book series available on Amazon. I appreciate it if you leave a review on Amazon so others may find my books as well.

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Terry L Turrell, Author

Monday, October 5, 2020

My October 2020 Newsletter: Healthy Living and Traveling in Mexico

Night View of San Miguel de Allende

     Jon and I are still enjoying our time in San Miguel de Allende, a beautiful colonial city in the state of Guanajuato. The city was decorated for weeks to celebrate September 16, Mexicó’s Independence day, though most festivities except the spectacular fireworks were canceled this year due to COVID-19. We celebrated with a quiet, but wonderful dinner at one of our favorite restaurants called ‘The Restaurant’, with an open-air dining area. The decor and music were festive, the central water fountain filled with red rose petals and the dining space decorated with red, white, and green, the colors of the Mexican flag

Street Decorations for Mexican Independence Day

     We especially enjoy dining out, as you probably know. The safety requirements to prevent the spread of coronavirus are strict in San Miguel de Allende. Masks are required at all times in public. Before entering a restaurant, our temperature is taken... read more

     Thank you for reading my books and blog articles. I invite you to check out my Amazon Author Page.

Cheers,

Terry