Mexico's Bajio

The Bajio (lowland) region of central Mexico covers the states of Guanajuato, San Luis Potosi and Querétaro and also includes parts Aguascalientes, Jalisco, Michoacán and Hidalago.

For Mexicans, the Bajio is la cuna de la revolucion, the cradle of the revolution. What Valley Forge and Bunker Hill are to us Americans, Guanajuato and Hidalgo are to Mexicans. The 1810 Mexican war for independence from Spain began in the Bajio.

It is attractive area of fertile plains and rugged mountains, vineyards and silver mines. The cities here date from the 16th century and each is a jewel of colonial architecture. The Bajio draws many Mexican and international tourists during the harvest festivities such as the International Festival Cervantino, held every October in the Unesco World Heritage City of Guanajuato arts from around. Also of note are The Spring Festival and Italian Festival have become traditional events which offer tastings of the typical varietals from these parts.

Currently Mexicana airlines is running a fare sale to the cities of Leon and Morelia.

Mexico City Revival

As a travel destination Mexico City seems to be gaining traction for many in spite the triple whammy of swine flu, drug violence and the poor economy that Mexico has endured this past year. Recent articles such as one featured in the San Francisco Chronicle, report that the "savvy have little to fear in Mexico City" these days and paint a much rosier picture of the capital's charms.

The author reports "It's hard, in fact, to feel threatened in Mexico City at all, as long as you use common sense - no flashy clothes or jewelry or fistfuls of cash. In Polanco, Condesa, Roma, Zona Rosa and Centro Histórico's core, visitors who exercise the same caution you would in downtown San Francisco will have plenty to explore without worry."

Article highlights include a charming description of myriad activities at El Museo Nacional de Arte Popular (National Museum of Popular Art) and those at the nearby Interactive Museum of Economics, both in the must see Centro Histórico.

Other Mexico DF neighborhoods visited include colonias Cuauhtemoc and Polanco and the newest barrio on the city's western outskirts called Santa Fe. It's a new development, built on former landfill and sand mines, and is home to Latin America's largest mall, the Centro Comercio Santa Fe.

it's an article worth reading if just for the things to do section at the end. Check it out amigos, perhaps you'll you'll see me there.