Oh my, the jacarandas are beginning to bloom again, so it must be spring.
Best of all, there is an end in sight to the long year of this pandemic. It is too early to relax yet, but just knowing that there is a light at the end of this coronavirus tunnel puts a smile on my face. When it is safe to travel again, Pátzcuaro is the place to visit.
Aren’t we all looking forward to traveling again? I long for some new adventures as well as revisiting old favorite places. All my travel dreams are here in Mexico. Honestly what an amazing country this is!
I know from the inquiries at my hotel that many of you are feeling the same pent up urge to “just go somewhere!”
For decades, our Mexican beaches have been the place to go for those who want to just kick back in the sand with a margarita or a very cold beer. For many, it is the only thing that comes to mind when they think of Mexico.
On the other hand, there is so much more to experience once you move away from the coast. Both Mexico City and Guadalajara are amazing cities in terms of museums, world class restaurants and important sites to visit.
What is easy to miss are the undiscovered treasures. That is one reason why Mexico initiated the Pueblos Mágicos (Magic Towns) program. The idea was to create a program to help people discover these very special experiences just off the beaten path. Many of the old colonial pueblos and cities have been revitalized by this program, and what a great idea! Give new life and a sustainable income to the towns that do not get much advertising support from the government. This program provides guidance to those who don’t really know where to look for these treasured destinations. Directing people to the smaller, magical and much less crowded towns, villages and highways is very helpful for those who do not want to see the world from a 60-passenger bus or an all-inclusive resort.
Patzcuaro, where I have lived for years, is one of the first Pueblos Mágicos, designated a Magic Town nearly 20 years ago. No one knows how many centuries the Purhepecha have been here. The center of their empire was located in what is now Tzintzuntzan. The boundaries were once thought to go as far north as Zuni land in New Mexico and Arizona. I once heard that the Zuni language and Purhepecha have much in common. The first written history of the Purhepecha in Patzcuaro dates back to 1324.
Lake Patzcuaro and the Meseta Purhepecha is rich in archeology, history and folk art. There is even a secret archeological dig that is said to be unearthing one of the largest cities in the Americas, somewhere between Pátzcuaro and Morelia.
If you haven’t been, Pátzcuaro is high in the mountains at 7,200 ft. and geographically gorgeous, surrounded by forests of pine. One of the things I truly love about my hometown is the government-protected colonial architecture. The Spaniards arrived around mid-1500’s and left their architectural marks everywhere.
I often say we could keep folks busy for weeks just seeing this beautiful area and experiencing all that Pátzcuaro and the State of Michoacán have to offer. Want to buy a guitar or ukulele from the maker? We’ve got it. Want to see a town buried by the world’s youngest volcano? We have that, too. Love copper? Fine pottery? World class paintings? Fine silky-fringed rebosos/shawls woven on a loom? Bingo on all of these.
See you soon, once you have your shots!
