DRIVE TO TAPALPA



Part of the Plaza



See that volcano cone



 I really wanted to find out the elevation of Tapalpa before starting this post but I am not connected to Mr. Slim’s TelMex internet at the moment so can’t look it up. It has to be quite high because even here in Ajijic we are at about 5200ft above sea level and we traveled to the top of one of the mountains. Okay, I got it - Tapalpa’s elevation is between 6759 and 6800 ft depending upon where you look. The name means - place situated in the heights - in Nahuatl. Population - 16,000. Lots of info online.

Our first challenge on Monday morning was backing out of the garage and on to the narrow cobble stone street with cars parked across the way. Done!

Then we turned on the GPS although we had a good idea of where we were going. She (the GPS is Juanita) does amazingly good work in Mexico. Sometimes she doesn’t know the speed limit but on most libre roads (not toll) the speed limit is determined by the pot holes. The toll roads are very good though and construction work on all the roads, even the free ones, is ongoing. Lots of jobs for people at the moment.

Juanita showed us the way on the toll road until it ran out close to the mountain on a very winding two lane road somewhat like the hedgerow roads in England but a longer drop. We thought it a good idea to stay behind a truck or another car so they could take the brunt of whatever collision might happen. With no shoulder, it was sometimes necessary to move to the center or left hand side in order to avoid huge depressions. A little scary but the truck helped with the white knuckles.

We had to go down in elevation about 2000 ft to an expansive valley some of which was a dry lake bed. Dry now anyway. The road goes across the lake and is elevated only a few feet so I assume in the wet months the lake is filled only a few feet deep. There are salt works in the distance and the land is cultivated to the edge of the “lake”. Lots of hay grown, cattle and horses. By the way, mind those “cattle crossing” signs. Good not to be speeding when a bull decides to wander across.

As we climbed up the mountain, we were able to view the valley below. What a spectacular sight. Patchwork cultivation climbing the mountainsides. Different shapes and sizes and colors. We noticed what looked like pipe organ cactus which were being grown - for what? It must take a long time to grow cactus. Ten years for a good agave. Some of the fences were made of these cactus so maybe that was the purpose.

Climbing higher we saw lupine flowers, those kapok trees, Jacaranda trees and oaks and pine trees. The air is sweet and clean.

We arrived in the town at noon - mas o menos. Narrow steep cobble stone streets, teaming with people of all ages going about their business. A beautiful church with a lovely bell tower.

Sitting in an outdoor restaurant on the plaza, we noticed ATV’s with “turistas” in them. There is a company which will pick you up from Ajijic or even Guad, take you to Tapalpa, 3 days, 2 nights and ecological park tour for a price. They have zip lines AND, if you would like to jump off a cliff and para glide down to the valley, I guess you could do that but I have only a limited time left as it is and the road back down is exhilarating enough for this ole woman.

The architecture is more like that of most of the US, probably because they need to have heat in the winter. The town is very old and has been designated “magical” by the Mexican government meaning it has historical and architectural significance. It is magical, as if you are walking back in time. My goodness, the people are beautiful.

We found an artisanian tienda and, of course, I contributed to the economy by purchasing coasters woven from the pine needles, earrings for my favorite women and a pottery cup that Pete liked. I won’t mention how much/little it all amounted to but the artists were happy and so was I.

Walked around some and headed back down on all free roads. Ouch! Our auto will not be the same and the driver and passenger were more than stimulated by the dodging of pot holes and happy to return to the cobble stones of Ajijic.



Some difference in the style of architecture



MAZAMITLA AND MORE

Look at the photo. Does that look like Mexican architecture? It looks very alpine - because it is alpine. Mazamitla is located in the mountains south of Chapala at an elevation of about 7200 feet which is about 2200 feet higher than Ajijic.

-----------

We took a day trip from Ajijic, stopping by a wonderful little city by the name of Manzanilla de la Paz. That city was surprising all around. Bustling with activity. A beautiful square and church but ... the most interesting aspect to me was the people. Many were very light skinned and with light hair. The men were taller than I had seen in other villages with broad shoulders. It was striking and very noticeable. I only wish that I could have talked with some of them or that our guide had known more about these people. There are beautiful people all over Mexico and these were no exception.

We learned the names of two of the largest trees - Indian Laurel - and Zalate which can be confused with a Ficus but has some fig like fruits. They grow huge and get very old. Okay, Mazamitla - The guide drove the car way up the mountain. Most of the roads were good, some places a little bumpy. At one point we got out and walked among the evergreen trees. There are three different kinds of pine trees and the air there was fragent with pine.

Around the beautiful town square were buildings made of wood, two stories with balconies that gave them an alpine (think Leavenworth, WA) look. Very surprising. Interesting too, were all of the children who were either getting out of school or going to school, who were all bundled up! We were very warm and sitting in the shade. Obviously, these people are used to extreme heat in the summer and cold in the winter. One of the young girls in her school uniform of a short skirt and high socks and sweater was almost as tall as Pete. Again very attractive people and a town that is obviously prosperous.

We (some of us) slept on the ride back but we sure enjoyed our tour.