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| Sunrise from our hotel
room promises a pleasant day. |
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| 2 |
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| The main plaza had
several very nice water fountains like this one, plus blooming trees. |
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| 3 |
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| Susan, Jack & Keith
enjoy a breakfast at the notorious mercado de antojitos. |
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| 4 |
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| This is the entrance to
the La Tzararacua waterfall area as seen from the highway. |
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| 5 |
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| We had not expected to
take a horseback ride, but found it totally delightful & not at all
expensive. |
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| 6 |
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| The trail was quite steep
and indeed horseback was clearly the best way to navigate it. |
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| 7 |
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| The horses were very
gentle and well cared for by competent caballeros. |
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| 8 |
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| Keith's mount stops for a
drink before reaching the waterfall. |
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| 9 |
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| The waterfall itself was
particularly beautiful & was evidence of the importance of water here. |
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| 10 |
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| The grotto like location
was refreshing and peaceful with this rainbow (this shows only the bottom
section of this tall falls). |
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| 11 |
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| A handsome stone bridge
arched over the river and afforded a nice view of the falls. |
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| 12 |
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| Jack and Susan prepare to
remount for the trek back up the trail. |
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| 13 |
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| Our caballista
holds our horses for us as we get ready to return to the top. |
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| 14 |
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| Nearing the top, the
horse is anxious to get to the barn, and the strong-legged caballista
holds its tail to slow him down as well as to get a little assist up the
grade. |
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| 15 |
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| The successful ride
called for a celebratory local brew. Unable to access the specially
recommended National Park, we regretfully continued north, arriving
eventually at Paracho,
noted for its guitars. |
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| 16 |
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| A main Paracho stop was
the museum Casa para el Arte y la Cultura P'urhepecha (Exposition and
Sales of Stringed Instruments). |
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| 17 |
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| They did indeed display
an exposition of fine stringed instruments, many of which were for sale at a
reasonable price. |
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| 18 |
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| Peg and musician Jack
admire the interesting handmade instruments - true works of art. |
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| 19 |
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| Jack was impressed with
the clever & unique smaller instruments - many with beautiful inlays or
mother-of-pearl appliqué. |
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| 20 |
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| On north to our hotel in
Zamora, Hotel Fenix, which boasted
this fine pool and event venue. |
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| 21 |
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| At the town square, we
find this series of tables circling the entire plaza. |
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| 22 |
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| Large loaves of holiday
bread were arriving by the truckload and being placed on the circular table. |
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| 23 |
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| As evening fell, the ring
of bread was completed and all was ready for this special Christmas related
celebration. |
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| 24 |
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| We don't think this
policeman really needed to guard the bread. The sign proclaims the
name of the event - "The Great Ring of Kings." |
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| 25 |
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| Here we saw the bakery
truck bringing the last of the loaves as dusk approached. |
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| 26 |
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| Following the requisite
official declarations, townspeople lined up to get their portion of
"The 3 Wisemen" bread. |
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| 27 |
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| We enjoy the celebration
from a restaurant overlooking the plaza - no bread, but cocktail time for
us. |
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