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The Drifter Journals

Run from Mummies & Kiss in an Alley: A Walking Tour of Guanajuato, Mexico 

5/7/2013

14 Comments

 
BY ESTEFANÍA MENDOZA
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One of the best ways to tour a city is by foot. Taking in the sites slowly, watching people as they go through their daily rituals and getting a real feel for the vibe of a city or town is what makes strolling through historical districts a rewarding way to visit. Regular contributing blogger and drifter legend, Estefania Garcia Mendoza, takes us on a walking tour of the charming historical city of Guanajuato, Mexico.
I heard about Guanajuato City, Mexico when I was one or two years old, apparently my parents had gone there on their honey moon, and for the next few years, my mom couldn’t stop talking about how beautiful it was. 

I grew up looking at the pictures in their wedding album and decided I would go there as soon as I could…well more than 20 years had to pass before I got the chance to. 
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View of Guanajuato from "El Pipila"
At last, this past Wednesday I was there, face to face with a beautiful city staring back at me with all its grandeur. 

Would I be disappointed? Not a tiny bit.

The Biggest Tip: Choose Your Shoes Wisely!

Now the first thing I have to say about this trip is this: bring comfortable shoes. 

The best way to see Guanajuato City is by foot and by foot only. You will be walking A LOT, there’s also lots of steps you will most definitely be climbing, and yeah, your feet and legs will be so tremendously sore at the end of the day. 

But I can assure you, IT WILL BE WORTH IT! Just to help you understand how I felt, it was as if you grew up listening to tales of Peter Pan in Never Land and all its stories, and you finally went there and saw all of it in real life!

Anyways, maybe I am exaggerating, but the truth is that you can really breathe the history in this amazing city.

First Stop: "El Pipila", Where Legends Are Made

One of the best places to get a dramatic view of the city is from "El Pipila".

When you go to school in Mexico they teach you about “El Pipila” and how this dude carried a stone on his back to protect himself from the bullets, allowing him to take possession of the “Alhóndiga de Granaditas”.

That doesn’t really mean much when you’re in school, it was just a bunch of facts I had to learn to pass my tests. 
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But here in Guanajuato, I actually got to see the buildings and places where these “facts” took place, and it helped me see history in such a different light. 

Second Stop...sort of: The Mummies...Umm, I'll Take a Pass

“Las Momias de Guanajuato” is another popular must-see attraction in this place, or at least that’s what everyone says. 

Well… call me a chicken but I didn't feel like going and staring at a bunch of mummified dead corpses…so yeah, I passed.

Sorry I can’t tell you much about this attraction, you will have to decide for yourself whether you want to see it or not.  

Third Stop: Now...About That Kiss...

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Well, hold on everyone, don’t get too excited. I didn't kiss anyone there. 

The thing is Guanajuato is full of alleys called callejones in Spanish, and one of the most famous ones is called “El Callejón del Beso” or The Alley of the Kiss. This alley is so narrow, that both balconies almost touch. 

The legend says that at eight every night, two love-struck youth named Ana and Carlos who were dating in secret would meet at this alley, and eventually their love began to grow. 

But their love was doomed. In the end they tragically died just like Romeo and Juliet.

Today, this site stands as a tourist attraction where, according to tradition, couples who visit The Alley of the Kiss must kiss while standing on the third step. Doing this will assure fifteen years of happiness. Yeah, whatever.  

Redeeming Oneself From a Drifter Fail

I guess what I have to say after visiting the beautiful Mexican City of Guanajuato is: "GO!" 

Waiting over 20 years before getting to see this city that is just an 8 hour bus ride away from my hometown makes me feel like a true drifter FAIL. But hey, at least I've finally done it, and now I can cross Guanajuato City, Mexico off from my bucket list and move on to the next.

I wonder where that is. Any suggestions?

Contributing Blogger: Estefania Garcia Mendoza 

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Estefanía García Mendoza grew up in a little industrial town in the Gulf of Mexico called Altamira. She loves to travel and has worked as a volunteer in Nicaragua and Costa Rica. Besides traveling at least once a year, she is also in love with designing hairpieces and accessories for girls. Check out her designs at LesFleursdeMonAmour. Currently, Stef is also working on launching her own personal blog!

If you enjoyed this article, please SUBSCRIBE and stay tuned for more travel posts from Guest Blogger, Estefanía García!

And now we'd like to ask you: Have you ever skipped a recommended place to see because it just wasn't your thing?

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14 Comments
Less Judith
5/7/2013 11:37:10 am

Always a pleasure to read your writtings my friend, but i'm still waiting a narrative of your trip in person hehe. That is definitely one of the places on my list too. I hope to be able to visit it soon. And again, congrats for your article ;)

Reply
JR Riel link
5/7/2013 07:02:08 pm

Estefania, it looks like your due for a visit to your friend, Judith!

Reply
Estefania
5/7/2013 10:57:27 pm

Thanks girly! Ill see u today ;)

Reply
Estefania
5/7/2013 10:59:03 pm

Thanks :) now its your turn. You e got tons of material

Reply
Frankie
5/7/2013 01:48:26 pm

Good Job! Nice description.

Reply
JR Riel link
5/7/2013 07:04:34 pm

Is this THE Cuban Frankie? ;-) Yeah, Stef did a good job here, very concise, informative and entertaining! Always cool getting a submission from her. And how about you man, got any adventures to share? Hit me up!

Reply
Kalei
5/8/2013 03:30:14 pm

That panoramic picture is awesome!

Reply
Estefanía G.
5/9/2013 03:54:57 am

I know right? the view from el pipila is amazing...it is hard to climb up there but totally worth it

Reply
traveling morion link
5/9/2013 12:56:27 pm

Luv the shots here! Will bookmark this page. Mexico is indeed beautiful

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Estefania Garcia
5/10/2013 03:19:42 am

Yeah, please do! I've lived in Mexico all my life and have not even explored half of it! It absolutely worth it! Besides food is always a highlight of any Mexican trip ;)

Reply
Lani link
5/13/2013 09:11:03 pm

I could relate to you Estefania when you romanticized about the place where your parents honeymooned. I grew up listening to stories about Thailand and so I think I must have decided I'd go back, unconsciously because here I am!

Stunning pictures. Makes me miss Latin America! Cheers.

Reply
Estefanía G.
5/14/2013 01:31:20 am

Thanks Lani! Its an amazing feeling when you have you have your heart set upon going somewhere and you finally get there! specially if you have some backround about that place, or a story behind it. awesome thing you're in Thailand...it must be beautiful, share some pictures sometime! ;)

Reply
Lani link
5/16/2013 12:25:53 pm

Okay. How about pics of Ecuador instead? http://tellthaiheart.com/looking-back-my-favorite-pics-from-ecuador/

Ron | Active Planet Travels link
9/23/2013 09:13:19 pm

I definitely agree with the whole bring comfortable walking shoes. I try to cut edges where ever I can to narrow down my budget while traveling but the one thing everyone should agree on is that you get what you pay for when it comes to shoes! :-)

Reply



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