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.

Learning Spanish in Guanajuato

For quite some time Guanajuato has been high on on my list of places to visit next in Mexico and a recent article in our local paper help reinforce my desire. What makes it so attractive? I guess it's the many diverse cultural aspects, a long and colorful history, the fact it has a very old (1732)university (with 20K students in town of 80K), and at one time the extensive network of mines produced 70% of the world's silver. Guanajuato is also the birthplace of artist Diego Rivera, and commemorates that with a museum dedicated to the artist.

According to Wikipedia the Spanish name "Guanajuato" derives from P'urhépecha Quanaxhuato , meaning "Hill of Frogs".

The city has an intimate feel provided by the many passageways, called callejones, that wind up the hillsides. Much of the auto traffic runs under the town in former mining tunnels.

What captivated me about the article, entitled Mexico's Hidden City, was the reason for the author, Molly Baker, to take the trip - enrolling in a Spanish immersion school for a four week stint - exactly what I envision for my own trip to Guanajuato. Now to find those four weeks...